“Invictus” by William Ernest Henley Evidence & Line/Stanza # My Explanation
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
This evidence shows that the speaker is resilient and strong-willed in the face of difficulties or challenges. Despite being in the grasp of unfavorable circumstances, they refuse to give in or show weakness.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
This line further emphasizes the speaker's strength and determination. They may have been beaten down by fate or unpredictable events, but they remain unbroken and unbowed.
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.
These lines clearly convey the central theme of the poem - the idea of self-empowerment and taking control of one's own destiny. The speaker asserts their own agency and ability to shape their future, regardless of the challenges or obstacles they may face.