Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Haitian Sensation — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:56:32 -0000

I had to memorize this poem in the Spring of 1996 while pledging to be a Kappa. It gave me great strength while in the 'cut', enduring the bludgeoning that ensued for 10 weeks, 6 days, 3 hours and 31 minutes. I reflect on the poem that helped me get through that process and life's tough times. Yo Yo!

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

william d stoltz — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 05:31:26 -0000

I memorized this poem in the 7th grade. I am now 62!!First, I am a GOD loving Christian. I think many people miss what these words say.Make your own decisions in life, for better or for worse. Stay strong to the end and never, never whine. My name is STOLTZ{proud}

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

khanda — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 13:02:38 -0000

This poem is one of the greatest poems that i have ever read,,,, its great cause it speak with our heart's , emotions, directly it combine or tie both of our souls and mind's. i have never know about this poem and the writer till i read about Nelson Mandela's life ,,,,,,,when people around us can not understand us such poems can give us pleasure and happiness , its another way to calm our minds and another way to find our mottos inside them,,,,

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Akinlabi — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:53:58 -0000

this is my first time of reading thiz poem. i have never been this motivated in my entire life. infact i was transformed. i have internalised this poem. it will always remain evergreen in my memory

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

R Armstrong — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:43:53 -0000

As a direct descendant of William Armstrong "Christie's Will" I realise that many of my ancestors may well have thought that they were "captains of their soul" I am a Christian and I have seen how false that assumption is. Civilization, and morality are dependent on religion. They can never exist in a "godless" vacumn..

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Ronnie — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:08:25 -0000

TOMDAWG
wow, "MAN", really?
i think a mark of manliness is tolerance. and the language you've chosen to use in your comment, along your blatant disregard or consideration shows very little of it. Not trying to be a jerk, just stating.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 03:09:21 -0000

I was in California youth authority back in the 90's and this poem i read while dealing with gladiator school. It was an excellent mantra to deal with and ya i still reference it as a compass.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Bree Hooper-Whiti — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 07:56:59 -0000

It is a lovely poem. The first time I read it I nearly cried because it was so beautiful. If I met him I think he might have been a lovely/kind man to me. I feel sorrow for his family, it would have been dreadful.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Samuel — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 22:06:02 -0000

I feel sad for the religious "lambs" who can't identify with this poem due to some false idea of mutual exclusivity between being a strong, unconquered individual and a belief in a god. This poem is for lions, religious or otherwise, surely not for lambs.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Armstrong — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:37:09 -0000

I am truly a proud Scot and this poem is inspirational. I also have "Invictus Maneo" tattoed on my foot, the Armstrong Motto, reminding me each day that I am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Janelle — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:46:05 -0000

This is my all time favorite poem. Loved enough to get the last two lines tattooed on my forearm.......My words to live by.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Andrew — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:40:03 -0000

I had to learn this poem for my senior British lit class and thought it was amazing I have kept it with me over the years and it will stay with me for years to come some poems you forget after you say it for your grade but this is definitly not one of those poems

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Mike — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:59:48 -0000

It would appear that many readers here have willfully disregarded Mr. Henley's third line. This poem seeks to harbor all denominations and remind us all of our inconquerable soul. I have this in my office along with Kipling's "If" and Picasso's sketch of Don Quixote. Mighty is the pen.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Rhys — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:46:34 -0000

this is a great poem. I think most of you miss the background though.

Invictus Maneo is latin for "I remain unconquered/unvanquished".

which is the standard Armstrong crest motto.

the above picture is a derivative of that crest. google Invictus Maneo, or the Armstrong clan.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Violet Weed — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:26:41 -0000

I love Invictus, it's a great poem to shout out loud whilst biking up a steep mountain road... but it truly misses the point. No one 'stands alone', not even me (although I have been living on my own since the age of 13, and now in my 60s... and most of my life I've lived alone, without 'benefit' of mate or pet. But not lonely. Still.... no one stands alone. God is always there, granting us Grace and laughing at His children's hubris to think they are 'masters of their fates' and 'captains of their souls'.

We are all going to be what we truly are now... dust in the wind, and masters of nothing.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Mike Fleming — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:27:04 -0000

Invictus was our father's favorite poem. As a senior in High School, he was AAU Southeast Light Heavyweight weight lifting champion and heavyweight wrestling champion. He was the first Mr. CT in 1939 (actually Mr. Physical Culture of CT). He was the physical education and hand to hand combat instructor for the 508 PIR of the 82nd airborne, and pretty solidly "manned up" all his life. He was a great Dad and we will all miss him very much always.
Thanks for giving me a great way to share Invictus with my brother.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

mery — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:09:54 -0000

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Lucy — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:41:30 -0000

Manhood??!!!! This poem is about ANYONES courage & self-belief. It is a defiant stand against being broken or consumed by negativities in life. Whether your a man, woman or child. Its universal.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Micah — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:20:49 -0000

I like this poem because it makes you think alittle bit more about certain things.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

genderkid — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:06:13 -0000

It's funny: I first read this in Annie On My Mind, a lesbian coming-of-age novel. So it isn't a poem just for men, but for anyone in need of courage.

Great poem, thanks for reminding us of it!

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Rashid — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:16:55 -0000

"Invictus" captures the essence of manhood. In my view, this poem makes the assumption that men rely on the spirit of God--"whatever God one may follow"--for their unconquerable spirit. I had to memorize this poem during my college days and I definitely find it inspirational and encouraging, especially during an era when "whinning and crying" about things small and large, significant and insignificant, is the norm.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

tomdawg — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:43:53 -0000

I am a Christian Man, strong as hell, hard as a rock. I love being a man, and thank my God every day that He made me one. No offense to women, but what man would want to walk around with a pussy, except perhaps a fag?
There is definitely a strong sense of defiant manliness captured by "Invictus". I so admired the poem that I used the word Invictus as a name of a character in a book I am writing. We need more defiance and less compliance if we are to be true men.
Because I follow Christ, I do not love everything in the poem "Invictus" in that it seems to assume there are many gods, and that man will somehow escape accountability to the True and Living Creator God. Whitney's "The Soul's Captain" captures that accountability well.
I enjoy both poems. The key to being a real Christian Man is to realize that follow Christ doesn't mean you become less Manly, more compliant to people, or certainly more feminine. Read "Why Men Hate Going To Church" and you will see what I mean.

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Brian Waala — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:10:05 -0000

@Shaun van Huyssteen - Take life like a man don't be a spineless wiener

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

Jen Baker — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:30:11 -0000

One of my all time favorite poems. Great to see it still rings true. Thanks!

Re: Manvotional #5: “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley

zlindsey — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:20:06 -0000

I first read this poem when I was in 8th grade. It has stuck with me ever since.