Invictus the Poem and Video by William Ernest Henley

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Invictus the Poem

Video - Invictus the Poem read by William Ernest Henley

Invictus is the name of the 2009 film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as South Africa’s rugby team’s captain, Francois Pienaar.

In the film Mandela gives a handwritten copy of the poem written by William Ernest Henley to Pienaar, telling him that the poem had been an inspiration to him while incarcerated in prison for twenty seven years and helped give him a focus on reconciliation rather than revenge in his newfound position of President of South Africa. Pienaar also finds inspiration as the leader of the South African Rugby team to encourage the players to rise above their own expectations and be a force for unity in their homeland.

The film has a powerful message as does the poem from which the film derives its title.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) Written in 1875
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Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Video - Invictus the Poem read by William Ernest Henley
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William Ernest Henley "Invictus" Poem animation

Our Challenge

The challenge of the poem for you and me, is to change the last two lines into questions from time to time and deal with our honest answers.

Then we will determine indeed, if we be “Invictus - an unconquered soul.”

Wishing you well in the challenge.

Lance Scoular,
"The Savvy Navigator"