I hope that all of you had a wonderful break last week and are coming back refreshed and ready to work very hard until our long Winter break. One evening during the week, my family and I were sitting around the dinner table discussing movies that are in the theaters now or are coming out soon. I mentioned that the movie Invictus looked interesting. My daddy immediately began reciting a poem that I had never heard. When he finished, I asked what prompted his recitation and he replied that he just recited "Invictus" a poem written by William Ernest Henley in the late 1800s. Obviously, this poem was written a long time before Nelson Mandela fought apartheid in South Africa. But how cool is it that the title of this movie refrences the title of this poem!
I will remind you of the steps we should all take when we meet a poem. Remember to look for punctuation and for figurative language. Also, read the poem out loud, then read it out loud again! Look up wrds that you do not understand.
In your comments, please say something! Do not write four sentences telling me that you did not understand the poem and that you did not like the poem. Always answer the question WHY! Tell me what you think Mr. Henley was saying in his poem. Do you agree with what he was saying? Remember to comment with at least four sentences. These comments are due Friday Dec 4.
Invictus by: William Ernest Henley
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.
Happy Reading!
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I really like this poem! I think that the author is trying to encourage strength through hard times. The author say "I have not winced nor cried aloud." This portion of the poem really shows that even when times are hard we should not give in to defeat. In the last lines of this poem he says that he will control his life and will not give into the callenges he will face in his life. This is my favorite poem we have read so far because I really relate to the message in the poem.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this poem. I liked how it rhymed and kept my interest.I think the author is saying that it's good to be encouraged in life.I think he's also saying that we shouldn't give up on life.
ReplyDeleteWow... this poem was awesome. I love how deep it was, and I really like how he says that even though our trials are hard, we shouldn't be defeated, and we shouldn't give up. My favorite stanza of the poem is "In the fell clutch of circumstance/I have not winced nor cried aloud./Under the bludgeonings of chance/My head is bloody, but unbowed." I really like this stanza, and I think that it can relate to people's lives really well.
ReplyDeletei think that mrs. henley wrote this poem so it can see that it can help us get through a difficult moment or day. and where it said "i have not winced or cried aloud" it reminds me of a similar quote saying "I will not accept defeat."
ReplyDeleteI had to read this poem several times to understand it. However, after getting some help, I realized what this poem was about. I really liked it after i understood it because it encourages you to not give up during even if you fail the first time. When i read this poem it makes me see a survivor of a war or battle. It is very descriptive and a good poem overall.
ReplyDelete~Jesse Estry
I thought this poem was really good because it tells us how we have control over our own actions. We are the ones that decide whether to do the right or wrong things when they come along. Bad opportunities present themselves everyday, and we have to choose whether we are going to do what is right. I think what the third line of my favorite verse (the 2nd one that Athene liked too) is saying is that sometimes the world hits us when we aren't expecting it. And though it make take us by suprise, we should pull through; perhaps with scars, but continue to do the right thing. When we make mistakes, we have to bear the circumstances. I really liked this poem because it made me think about the little choices I have to make everyday.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in just rereading it for the fourth time, I realized that I don't think I agree with the last verse. It does matter where we end up, whether in heaven forever with God or eternally in hell. But they are right in saying that we do decide where we are going to end up. And as Mr. Henley said before, we will have to bear the concesquences of our actions.
That was a lot of typing.
emily of fith period
I think the author was talking about death. He seemed to be in a gloomy or sad mood when he wrote this poem. When he says his head is bloody I think that he just got killed then. After that its like he is dying and going to a better place. I liked this poem
ReplyDeleteRobby Fernandez
After discussing this poem with my mom for a while and doing some resurce on the auther i have figured it out. What Henley is saying is that he thanks whatever god gave him his strong soul and when he dies he will be ready for heaven or hadies becaus he is in controll of his soul. The reson he probably wrote this poem is to let every reader know what he felt as he was dieing.I found that you really had to do some reasurch to figure it out because it sounded as if he was in a war of prison camp to me.
ReplyDeleteThe second time I read this poem it was alot easier to understand. This poem I think helps people to persevere through the hard times because they control their own fate. And that we can deside if our actions are good or bad.It also is very encouraging. When you feel all hope is lost read the line, 'I have not winced nor cried aloud' I really enjoyed this poem:)
ReplyDeleteI really had to think on this one. The meaning is pretty strong and powerful. I think this poem was about standing up for what they believe ad being punished for it. I think he had such a strong soul that he did not even give in to such punishment. his heart and his soul were strong. this is what allowed him to stand his ground. he was determined and he thanked god for his inner strength and his powerful state of mind. I liked this poem. had fun reading !!
ReplyDeleteSARAH FOOSHANG
I absolutely adore this poem! This is the kind of poem that appeals to me. It speaks of a man who does not back down, no matter how much life batters him. He charges through the pain and suffering life throws at him through doubtful circumstances, keeping the thought of quitting out of reach. I absolutely loved reading it.
ReplyDeleteI thought that this poem was good. While reading this poem, I realized that the author was talking about how when the character in the poem was going through hard times, his spirit never became gloomy. I agree with the idea of having a strong spirit. To me, this poem is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Simpson
The author in this poem is saying no one else can control him. It seems he has left everything in his life to chance and luck, and that has come back to haunt him. It seemed very dark and as if the author really felt strong about what he was saying. Even though life has not been good to him, he will not change the way he feels. ---Randy Bridges---
ReplyDeleteWow! I truthfully had no idea what this poem meant. Is she wounded or afraid? Lost or forgotten? It is even a woman or a man? Ms. Mathis Great Choice. This poem has me questioning my trains of thought on it. This poem is a good "think" poem.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Lawton
I had to read this poem a couple of times before I knew what it meant. It means that even if you fail, you should keep trying. My favorite part of the poem was at the end when it said "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul". This means he will never just give up. He will choose his fate and succeed.
ReplyDeleteI think Henley was saying that you are responsible for your own life and must choose the path to take. For instance, when Henley said, "I am the master of my fate." Also, I thought is meant that we shouldn’t be afraid of the unknown or death because you have chosen already. To me this poem painted an image of darkness, with a single light as hope. It was inspiring that this person was hit with so much anguish and wrath, yet he did not give up or be conquered. I really liked the message of this poem because it encourages me to choose wisely, and I am sure people can relate to it.
ReplyDeleteUmm well it took me three tries to read till I thought that i actually understood what the dude was talking about. It seemed like the guy was going on about darkness as a metaphor for alot of bad things that come his way. I also thought that maybe he dealt with alot of messed up days around the time that he wrote the poem beacuse the poem itself seems pretty dark or gothic or something to that effect. Overall though the poem wasn't that bad, but it's deffinately not something a simple minded person can read and instantly understand.
ReplyDeleteI must say this poem is quite "powerful" in the way it is written. By that, I mean whoever wrote the poem put his true emotions and thoughts into the poem. I respect his abilities to create a meaningfull poem like this. I enjoyed reading this poem because of how hard it was to understand this poem. I had to read it multiple times before i got an idea of what it means or atleast what I think it means. I think the poem is talking about how life can be hard but not to be afraid. In the third stanza he says "Beyond this place of wrath and Tears..." I think he was talking about our lives and how there is suffering in this life. Then in the last two lines in the stanza he says"And yet menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid." From reading those lines I got my meaning of the poem because to me it sounds like even through the years of suffering he has gone through he was not afraid.
ReplyDeleteBy: Zack Black
I think that this poem is alittle confusing. It seems that he believes in God, but at the same time he doesn't believe in God. It kinda seems like he is saying how he wasted his time. I thought the poem was good though, I did like how it rhymed in parts.
ReplyDelete-Julia.
I thought that this poem was blod and honest about wht was happening with a person. It had many strong words and words that really described what was happening to them. Personally If I was choosing a poem to read that, this poem wouldnt be on my top. But i would have to say I kinda did like the ending. I enjoyed having a challenge and really having to think about the poem. Cant wait to read more. Daniel Taverna
ReplyDeleteIt is all about life and how it is hard. I get where this poem is going. It is discribing or close enough hell is, and it says in my point of view that it is better to live with God then without Him. I liked the poem, what is the next one about?
ReplyDeleteok so this is what i got from this poem, that no matter how hard you try no matter what is threatened you cannot change the mind or the opinion of someone. if that IS what this is saying then for once i will have to say that i did enjoy what it was saying. It was at times confuessing but it for some reson made sense.
ReplyDeleteby Joshua Puckett
The first time I had read the poem I had an idea of war but I didn't know a few words so I couldn't accurately analyze it. After looking up the words and reading the poem for a second time I was able to conclude that something definitly is contending him but he won't give in. I think that it could be interpreted two ways either as a physical war or an internal conflict. Either way I think the it has the general moral or no matter what the circumstance you should never give up what you believe in.
ReplyDeleteI beleive that this poem was a very good one. I do hope that this poem inspired the movie Invictus. The poem was set in very sad mood, but it was also calm. I'm glad that he had an unbending will, how he bowed to none other then to the people who deserved his respect.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a few times of reading it and really concentrating to figure out what it meant. I think its funny because the story behind the poem was similar to trying to understand it. It tells you never to give up like in the line where it says "my head is bloody, but unbowed". Trying to understand this took a lot of concentration and perseverance. I think it also means that your in control of your own actions and how you have to put up with the consequences in the last stanza. This poem was a nuisance but now after getting it I like it.
ReplyDeleteI think that the author was sad. I think that he thinks that he is in full sontrol of himself. I think this because of the last two lines. But he also contradicts himself because he says "Thank the 'gods'." This poem was interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis was a BEAUTIFUL poem. Im going to start with the title. Invictus is latin for invincible. This title fit the meaning of the poem beautifully. This poem talked about when you have hard times, and things feel inpossible and situations are unbearable,you should still keep your head up. keep hope alive. Over time you'll conquer your goal.I loved the part where it said " I am the master of my fate:
ReplyDeleteI am the captain of my soul". That means that your future is in your hands, the decisions that you deside will effect you the most.
-sara damas-
This poem was not my favorite. It sounded so sad and I couldn't get in to it. The only part that I did like was that it ryhmed a little. Another reason I didn't like it so much was because I had to reread it over and over. I don't like poems that are hard to understand, I prefer poems that are happy, that I can relate to, and can actually understand.
ReplyDeleteThis poem has great meaning to me because of some things that I have going on in my life. To me this poem talks about your struggles threw life and how hard they can be. In the poem it says "My head is bloody, but unbowed". To me this is saying that even if during your life you are beaten, hurt, or scared; just keep going and don't give up or "bow your head" in defeat. Life is only what you make it "you are the master of your own fate" This was an awesome poem, with strong meaning.I loved it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this poem, because it was talking about i am in the drivers seat. It was telling you that you control your own destiny. I really like that because i know we were put on this earth for a reason and that we will have to work for what we want. Was this poem also talking about him being in a car accident because that is what I thought he was relating to.
ReplyDeleteI really liked his poem. It took me a while to get the point of the poem, and i finally got it. It's one of my favorites it really does really do, it reminds me of what has gone in life. Life is about stugles and you learn from your mistakes.
ReplyDeleteEm. Ruiz
This poem is so true! It's like saying that no matter what hard time you're going through, YOU are in control. Like how it says in the end that "I am the master of my fate" and "I am that captain of my soul", that is completely true because nobody can really control what we do. I think this poem was really deep. I liked it.
ReplyDelete-James Cannon
I loved this poem! I felt like it was saying that I am in countrol of everything that happens to me, and I can change the bad things that happen. It kind of reminds me of what Mr. Schmidt says, "If YOU have a problem YOU fix it." I love how it says, 'Under the bludgeonings of chance
ReplyDeleteMy head is bloody, but unbowed.' Luke through everything bad that has happend, and all the beatings I've taken, yes I am hurt, but I will not give up, I will hold my head high, and I will change the out come.
It says, 'I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.' meaning, nobody can take me over, I am an indevidual, and I am indepindant.
The poem says, "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." As in, bad things keep happening, but I won't let it get me down, and when the end comes and and it all catches up with me, it wil find me willing and prepared to fight.
The ending is so powerful, 'I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.' Reminding us all, I am in control, and I can fix my own problems, nothing will get in my way.
_Ashlie Renae Gibson 6th
You can tell that Henley was sad or depressed or something. I don't understand why he capitilized Black and Pit and then Looms and Horror. I didn't really like this poem because it is kind of dark like when he was talking about his head being bloody. But I like how he says that he is in control of his life because I think everyone should have that control.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite poems on this blog. I wonder what the movie is about. I think this poem is about how the author has taken control of his life and how he is his own master. He is going to live his life and face life's problems however he wants. Now do I think this is right? Where the author says "It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll." it sounds like he has decided that he is going to do whatever he feels like even if it is wrong by most standards. Since he has just about rejected all authority there is no one to tell him what is right and wrong, so therefore he can do whatever he feels like. I'm not sure I completely agree with the author. Also I think poems can inspire movies. I constantly get ideas from songs and a song is basically poetry with music.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked this poem, because of the diversity of words used. I think the movie would have been about a loner who leads his own life and lets noone else live it for him. I think the poem itself is about the fact that there could be harsh laws and cruel punishments to prevent you from doing some thing, but when it comes right down to it,you are in control of what you do and do not do.Please post more poems like this, I like the challenge of disiffering what the author is trying to say.
ReplyDeleteI agree on certain parts of this poem. I agree because hes basicly saying that he owns his own life at the end. The movie was maybe about a owner or something but it sounds very interesting. It also is saying, to me, that noone can own him or tell him what to do but himself. So I loved this poem because hes saying what should be right of hisself.
ReplyDelete-Henry Hill-
I really liked this poem, I could relate the poem to me. I honestly think this poem was heart-felting. It makes me think, think deeply, because I have had so many triumphs in my life that only God helped me through and he gave me the power to control what I do in my life. Also, you should want to have control of what you do and how you do it.
ReplyDeleteThis poem made a lot of sense to me. It seems that the author was trying to let us know that we are in control of our own lives. We shouldn't let other people decide our fates and our decisions. I believe that it's true that we can be in control of our destinies.
ReplyDeleteI liked this poem a lot. I think the poem means to not give up when your fighting for something you believe. It's also a bit dark and makes me think of a knight in battle trying to keep himself from dying. This poem feels like an encouragement for people who don't know what attitude to "put on" when they reach a challenge. This poem was really interesting. Thanks.
ReplyDelete~ Chelsey A.
Even though this poem was different and a little hard to understand than the other poems posted, it was good. I had reread this poem a few times. I liked how the poem seemed scary like being in a dark place but he author didn't seem afraid at all.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this poem, because it was a really hard poem to read. I really like to read something that was challenging so I really liked this poem. Even though i had to look up a few words to understand the poem i still think it was great.. Thanks for the great poem.
ReplyDeleteI thought this poem was kinda weird. It was kind of hard to understand so i had to read it a couple times. I think that he was talking about how he in control of his life. I like that because i think everyone should be in charge of their lives. But overall, i liked this poem.
ReplyDeleteAlex Agudelo
This poem made me think of the bible. I just thought that it seemed like a passage out of the bible. I liked this poem because it wasn't just straight forward you had to read it a couple of times to really get the true message. I thought it was also kinda hard to comperhind because the words were so big and I had never heard of them before. But other than that I enjoyed reading this poem and the message it had.
ReplyDeleteCasey Jeanfrea
I thought this poem was kinda weird. It was kind of hard to understand so i had to read it a couple times. I think that he was talking about how he in control of his life. I like that because i think everyone should be in charge of their lives. But overall, i liked this poem.
ReplyDeleteI realy liked the poem for its darkness and how it vividly and eloquienlty described the toils that people face. When reading I also diiscovered that it was talking of bravery. I'm sure everyone can apply this so intricately designed poem to themself and learn to be stronger. This poem was very convicting and I liked it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this poem! I think he is mostly talking about life and the obstacles we face during it. He is saying that life has been hard for him but he hasn't given up but has only gotten stronger. Yes, he's had quite a few bumps and bruises but in the end, his scars are his story.
ReplyDeletei liked the poem. I felt that it was very deep. I think that it was about someone going through some kind of disease. But they are fighting it. It says that his or her soul is unconquerable.It describes how dark it could be on your death bed.
ReplyDeleteTerah Gamble
I kind of interpreted this poem as a poem stating one's pride. The man in this poem said that his head was bloody, but unbowed. I believe that means that he went through all this pain and such, but he remained with his head high, and unhumbled. Also, the last bit of the poem says that he is the master of his fate, and the captain of his soul. That part was a part that I also interpreted as a victorious thing. Even though he might have been bloody, and broken, he kept his pride and dignity and was victorious. This is a very applicable poem to one's life, because we may be broken down, but if we keep our confidence, we will win in the end.
ReplyDelete-Hannah Beth McKeel :)
I think that this poem is really true that you can control what is happening and you are control of your fate and you also Captain of your soul. It depends what you do with it is the matter. It seems like the Poet is very serious and the poem and is trying to make a point to those who arent listening to him...
ReplyDeleteAddison Helms
I did not really understand and did not like reading the poem. I think it is about a person who may be captive and no matter how bad things are he is still in control of his soul.
ReplyDeleteEven though I read it many times it still really does not make sense.
Michael Holland
This poem was interesting. I liked it one for the things it said. It was dark and was very interesting. It said to me that he would believe what he wanted but was convicted for it. It reminded me of the dark ages when if you weren't Catholic then you were condemned for it. I like it because to me it says to stand up for what you believe.
ReplyDeleteJustin Noote
This poem was very interesting. it kept my attention the whole poem. But sadly i hardly understood any of it. I had to get my dad to read it and explain it to me. Good pick ms.
ReplyDeletemathis. I really liked your choice.
I really enjoyed this poem. My favorite part was at the end, when he said," I am the master of my fate and the captin of my soul". I think this is saying that you and only you are in control of your life, and you can only make the right decisions for you. When I first read this poem, I thought that it was about life in general. Another saying I liked was when he said,"And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid." I think this is saying that you shouldn't be afraid of life and you should take chances and risks and do what makes you happy. I really enjoyed the poem for this week, I hope to see more poems like this in the future.
ReplyDeleteVictoria Hayes
i disliked the poem. I thought that the poem was nothing like the subject. the fact that i dint follow it was like the poem wasnt good because if im not liking the story i dont realy absorbe the information. that is why i didnt like the poem.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Gelardi
I really liked this poem. The poem was really well written and was smooth and easy to read without having to stumble. I like the imagry the poem gives and i think what the poem is trying to get across is that you're your own person and you shouldn't let people make you think otherwise.
ReplyDeleteChelsey A.