Defiance
Human destiny. whether predetermined or non. has ever been a topic of great argument. Numerous inconclusive statements have erupted from scientific every bit good as spiritual positions as to whether or non destiny is controlled by an outside force. Author William Ernest Henley’s verse form “Invictus” is often regarded as an oculus opening piece of literature that has imitated and facilitated the self reinvention of infinite lives. Challenging Christian ideals. Henley elicits a powerful emotional response by back uping the doctrine that adult male is the exclusive determiner of his destiny. By showing such a bold and controversial belief. Henley greatly increases the impact of his verse form. He titled the verse form “Invictus. ” Latin for unconquered. in order to demo that although his liquors were low and head deterred. they still remained unbeaten. showing the keeping of control he had over his destiny [ Invictus ( Meaning of ) ] .
The Christian religion is good known for its belief of holding one God who watches over and ushers all. Henley begins the verse form by thanking “whatever Gods may be” for supplying him with his “unconquerable psyche. ” Henley purposefully uses the term “gods” as a inactive aggressive challenge to this cardinal Christian belief in monotheism. He besides states that his caput has remained “unbowed. ” citing his refusal to subject when times are difficult. The “bludgeonings” that have beat Henley down most surely represents his adversities. while the bowing down represents entry to Christian political orientation and to God himself. His refusal to give up himself to these ideals is representative of his belief that no 1 but himself can alter or impact where he is in life.
In a farther rebelliousness of Christianity. Henley says “It affairs non how strait the gate. how charged with penalties the coil. ” The gate is supposed to be the really same 1 that leads to Heaven. sound mentioning to the narrow transition that allows for really small entree. Meanwhile. the penalties on the coil mention the metaphorical list of wickednesss that belabor the human psyche. disputing the general construct of wickedness. By annuling the graduated table of right and incorrect upon which Christianity is so to a great extent based. Henley attacks the cogency of the full Christian religion. This assault continues in the verse form with the lines “I am the maestro of my destiny: I am the captain of my psyche. ” The subject of self trust presented in these lines reinstates Henley’s belief that each individual is the lone one accountable for their journey. non God or any other omnipresent being.
Henley was a strong willed person that chose to look past his negative experiences in life and go on his journey of personal find and self definition. Henley was non the first to come to the belief that adult male was entirely responsible for determining his ain fate. An ancient Korean philosophical thought known as Juche portions this same belief ( CITATION ) . “The fortunes of one’s birth are irrelevant ; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are” ( Mewtwo ) . It doesn’t affair where a person’s life begins. it doesn’t affair what that individual has been told. in the terminal. everyone’s psyche is their ain. and merely they are responsible for their destiny.
Plants Cited:
Henley. William Ernest. “Invictus [ I. M. To R. T. Hamilton Bruce ( 1846-1899 ) ] . ” 12 Dec. 2013
“Invictus ( Meaning Of ) . ” Encyclo. N. p. . n. d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
“Juche. ” Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do. N. p. . n. d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
“Live by Quotes. ” Live by Quotes. N. p. . n. d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
