Speaker

The speaker of the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley seems to be a persona of the poet. Henley wrote “Invictus” during the time when he was facing the possibility of having his second leg amputated, due to complications from an illness he suffered from since childhood. In the poem, we immediately notice that the speaker is someone who has suffered for a very long time, but who keeps being brave in the face of his adversity.

From the start, the speaker appears to be courageous and full of determination. His soul is “unconquerable” (l. 4), despite being surrounded by darkness that is “black as the pit from pole to pole” (l. 2). The speaker also seems humble, as he does not hesitate to express gratitude for being so resilient: “I thank whatever gods may be” (l. 3). It is telling that the speaker shows gratitude instead of complaining about his sufferings, as this shows that he insists on maintaining a positive attitude. 

Throughout the poem, the speaker highlights his determination and his decision to never give in. He will st...