Invictus by William Ernest Henley

i. “Black as the pit from pole to pole”

The figurative language that is used in this verse is simile. It’s simile because of the word “as”
that is often use in simile. The author also compares the darkness of night with his dark life.
ii. “Beyond the place of wrath and tears”
The element of poetry that is present in this verse is imagery. This verse help the readers to feel
the courage and pain of the author.
iii. “Out of the night that covers me”
The figurative language that is used in this verse is metaphor. In this verse ‘night’ represents the
dark times and hardships of the author.
iv. “I have not winced nor cried aloud”
The element of poetry that can be found in this verse in imagery because this verse shows the
reader that eventhough the author experienced misery and suffering he still remained strong.
v. “It matters not how strait the gate”
The figure of language that is present in this verse is symbolism because the gate symbolizes a
person’s path in life.
vi. “I am the master of my faith. I am the captain of my soul”
The figure of language that is present in this verse is symbolism because the ‘master’
symbolizes that he is incharge of his own decisions and life and the word ‘captain’
symbolizes that the auhor/speaker will guide himself in his own path.
vii. “My body is blood, but unbowed”
The figurative language that is used in this verse is imagery because everthough he is having
a hard time he still managed to keep his head up. It shows the readers that eventhough you’re
having a hard time is you don’t give up and just keep your heap up.

viii. “Looms but the horror of the shade”

The figurative language that is used in this verse is metaphor because the shade refers to the
opcoming challenges in the speakers life.

ix. Assonance:

a. Pole and Soul –

b. Circumstance and Chance
 c. Aloud and Unbowed
d. Tears and Years
e. Tears and Unafraid
f. Gate and Fate
g. Scroll and Soul

x. Stanza: It is a Quatrain. There are four stanzas with four verses

xi. Rhyme: The poem Invictus follows the ABAB rhyme scheme. It is where the first and
third line rhymes with eachother. Same with the second and fourth line.