Language and poetic devices

Style of language

The language in the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley is formal, and the poem is written in a solemn style. The style is suitable for the topic of the poem, which deals with the speaker’s desire to remain strong and undaunted in the face of adversity.

Some of the words used in the poem might be considered difficult to understand by modern readers, and they also highlight the formal tone of the work. Expressions and words such as “fell clutch of circumstance” (l. 5), “bludgeonings” (l. 7), and “menace” (l. 11) might present some difficulties to modern readers, but otherwise, the poem is easy to follow and the message is not hard to interpret. 

The title of the poem might also present some difficulty, but it contributes to stressing the main message. “Invictus” is a Latin term, which means “undefeated” or “unconquered”. This is in line with the speaker’s words that his soul is “unconquerable” (l. 4). However, it should be noted that Henley himself did not come up with this title.

In terms of choice of words, we notice many expressions with negative meanings that highlight the speaker’s suffering, for example: “bloody” (l. 8), “place of wrath and tears”, (l. 9), and “Horror of the shade...