Critical Essay-Invictus(poetry)

Question 1

• highlights strength of human existence
• shows endurance in form of imagery
• emphasis on positive belief in himself
• holds head high “unbowed” through physical pain
• imagery of real physical pain “head is bloody”
• metaphor of “unbowed” shows not weakened mentally and will not concede to pain

Answer 1

2)”My head is bloody, but unbowed”

Question 2

• ‘Invictus’ translates into Latin as unconquerable; reported in opening stanza.
• Henley shows appreciation to higher powers
• Emphasis on endurance and positivity
• connotations of soul unbeaten and unyielding
• “soul” relates to faith and mighty spirit
• shows he is prepared to endure and remain defiant

Answer 2

1)Title ‘Invictus’

“For my unconquerable soul”

Question 3

• portray positive aspects of human existence
• reinforces point of defiance and endurance
• not giving in and unafraid to voice opposition
• delves into his endurance mentally
• needs to maintain positive outlook on life in order to survive

Answer 3

3)Repetition of the prefix ‘un’

Question 4

• again portrays strength and defiance
• “Finds” pain in present, “shall find” is expectancy of pain in the future
• explains different meaning of endurance as mental
• shows endurance as no clear end to pain, no hope
• facing reality of difficult times ahead

Answer 4

4) “Finds, all shall find, me unafraid”

Question 5

• realisation and comprehension of death
• despite this strong belief in power of faith
• has to endure the fact of death and unexpectedness
• “Looms” constant presence on his mind, haunting
• “shade” dark, mysterious, consuming him and metaphor for death. Unknown and being enclosed
• “Horror” terrifying uncertainty often his when his time

Answer 5

6)-“Looms but the Horror of the shade”

Question 6

• endurance failing and starting to reflect on previous life
• “charged” accusations of sins as entering heaven, concluding life as if it is nearing an end
• thinking about life before the disease, giving up on life in a way
• not see himself. Living, beyond into a afterlife

Answer 6

7)”How charged with punishments the scroll”

Question 7

• strength of character culminates with resounding positive message
• repetition of “I am” emphasises control and aware of himself, living is a direct statement
• concludes poem on positive note symbolism of him winning
• feels he is winning, endurance is paying off
• word choice “master”“captain”expel with power and control, shows guide his way through the pain
• “soul” being concluding word shows faith and belief

Answer 7

8) “I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul”

Question 8

• personal insight into Henley.s contemplation of death and his whole life
• hopeful and positive attitude maintained
• feeling of loneliness in future and bleakness
• endure physically and mentally
• belief in faith and his trust in God

Answer 8

C) CONCLUSION

Question 9

• intro to detail/degree of suffering
• hopeful outlook but negatives always bring down a positive
• “black connotes evil, darkness and death, bleakness of disease
• repetition of letter ‘p’ alliteration emphasises terror
• “pit” dark and gloomy, no escape from pain
• “pole to pole” ends of earth and no escape from pain
• discover what he endures, fear of death unpredictable and daunting
• hyperbole of comparing suffering to endless pit, emphasises feeling of pain in excess

Answer 9

5) “Black as the Pit from pole to pole”