Figurative Language In William Ernest Henley's 'Invictus'
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William Ernest Henley wrote in his famous piece “Invictus”, “I thank whatever gods may be/ For my unconquerable soul.” This poem uses figurative language to paint the picture of his almost lifelong battle with tuberculosis and how with resilience he overcame this struggle. In this work, we are told of a man who despite being the victim of the “bludgeoning of chance” still did not lose his dignity or his will. He remained irrepressible among the worst. Despite being a victim of extenuating circumstances, Henley did not become a puppet of fate. This poem is proof of how, with determination, you can take control of your own destiny regardless of how bloody and beaten you are.
Henley seemed to have infuriated fate from birth as he had constant