" Invictus " is a short poem by English poet William Ernest Henley. Henley wrote it in 1875, and in 1888 he published it in his first volume of poems, Book of Verses, in the section titled "Life and Death …

For my unconquerable soul. I have not winced nor cried aloud. My head is bloody, but unbowed. Finds and shall find me unafraid. I am the captain of my soul. Copyright Credit: William Ernest Henley, …

For my unconquerable soul. I have not winced nor cried aloud. My head is bloody, but unbowed. Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. I am the captain of my soul. This poem is in the public domain.

The belief that one’s soul could not be tarnished, no matter the hardships one experienced, is reflected in both this line and the poem as a whole. The popularity of “Invictus” helped reinforce this attitude, …

Unlock all 435 words of this analysis of Metaphor in “Invictus,” and get the poetic device analyses for every poem we cover.

‘Invictus’ is a Latin adjective meaning “unconquered, unsubdued, invincible.” It is a combination of two Latin words, “in,” meaning “not, opposite of” and “victus.” The word “victus” has come from the past …

Dec 18, 2025 · William Ernest Henley’s poem, Invictus, is one of the most enduring poems of resilience, courage, and self-determination. Written during a time when Henley faced significant personal …

Mar 15, 2024 · This article has covered the poem in some detail, including an in-depth examination of the poem itself, an Invictus poem summary, and a look at the writer, but you should also read it more …

Born in Gloucester, England, poet, editor, and critic William Ernest Henley was educated at Crypt Grammar School, where he studied with the poet T.E. Brown, and the University of St. Andrews. His …

“INVICTUS” definition: A popular poem from the late nineteenth century by the English author William Ernest Henley. Invictus is Latin for “unconquered.”