|
Comments about this poem (Invictus
by
William Ernest Henley
) |
|
Click here to write your
comments about this poem (Invictus by
William Ernest Henley
)
 |
Johnny Walker
(2/6/2010 3:06:00 AM) |
A nice and simple poem.
It seems to me the poet has outgrown the pettiness of organized religion. There is a particular loftiness to his use of the word 'gods'.
Yes, god is not limited by a particular name or a driving licence number. We may worship one god or several gods as we choose; we may worship the same god under different names; and so on. Nobody should be saying, this is god, that is not god, this is the only god, that god is false, etc.
Unfortunately even today there are people who subscribe to the backward belief that theirs is the only god and that all other beliefs are false; this is the main cause for most problems we see on this planet.
Even here we can see people are fighting to lay claim to Henley's god, totally overlooking the real theme of his poem.
Please accept the poem without worrying about which god or gods he is referring to. That is not the point of this poem. Don't attach labels like Un-X or Not Un-X. Neither of these terms is flattering.
Should the Coca Cola company go around labelling other drinks like water, milk, tea, coffee, wine, etc. as Un-Coke?
Should we be hearing things like:
'Hey, he is drinking an Un-Coke. We should ban all Un-Cokes as false drinks'.
'No, that is not Un-Coke. He only poured it from the Coke bottle into a glass. His soul is still safe'.
Don't you see how silly these comments sound? Your Un-religion comments are equally ridiculous. Please elevate your thinking and avoid imposing your religious beliefs on others.
|
|
|
|
Somi Omowo
(2/3/2010 10:30:00 PM) |
It surely is a most beautiful poem and the film really brings out its true meaning and its application to life and its challenges. I agree with Susan whole-heartedly. I see nothing unchristian of this poem. Indeed it is only when a Christian has mastered his soul can he truly forgive- an attribute Mandela showed so well in the film.
Life will only be conquered by those who have mastered the truths of this poem be they Christian, Moslem or otherwise
|
|
|
|
Terry Catterall
(1/31/2010 4:28:00 AM) |
To me the poem is a powerful way of saying that we (human beings) always have choice- no matter what situation we might find ourselves in! We are the masters of our fate and the captain of our soul if we choose to be! ! I love it.
|
|
|
|
Carlota Hernandez
(1/30/2010 4:24:00 PM) |
Maybe stoicism is not the Universal Truth, but it's the less selfish of attitudes towards the others. I know it well, I used to know somebody who behave and thought like that. The poem goes deeper than simply encouraging to have a good time. It's full of significance for those who strive for personal evolution and ideals.
|
|
|
|
Enrique Snyder
(1/25/2010 11:35:00 AM) |
This poem could be written by Lucio Aneo Seneca. It is full of the spirit of estoicism.
Really can inspire to them that are crossing in dificulties, something that is common in our days. But don't think that the stoicism is the Universal Truth.
|
|
|
|
Samuel Gioia
(1/22/2010 11:01:00 AM) |
This poem can be read in many ways, that is what is beautiful about it. Great literature reveals the reader in the reading of it. It is natural to me to read this as a meditation on the crucifixion of Jesus although that may not be the author's intent. I also love the reading of it in the movie by this title. It suggests that the mastery spoken of in the poem is mastery of one's own emotions in adversity including the impulse to hate and find revenge. MLK said, 'Let no man lower you so far as to make you hate him.' The movie is a very original and creative meditation on the poem.
|
|
|
|
Bob Blackwell
(1/21/2010 2:31:00 AM) |
Inspiring poem which simply means, we must strive to make each day a good one no matter what our circumstances maybe. How we think determines how we feel!
|
|
|
|
John Handley
(1/17/2010 10:18:00 PM) |
Having bibles may or may not be good, living by the message is what makes a person stand out from others. That is what I read in this lovely poem.
BTW I am a souf efrican who has left my place of birth and still sees great injustices and inequallity in the country
|
|
|
|
Susan Grave
(1/9/2010 7:40:00 AM) |
I'd like to make a comment about those who are frequently bringing in 'stories' about this poem being non-Christian. It is a poem of hope, much as the Bible should be.. but those idiots out there who have never been born & brought up in southern Africa should realise that the Bible was so often completely misinterpreted and the Africa into which Mandela was born, the Holy Book, was interpreted completely incorrectly! ! Blacks are inferior to whites! What a load of sh**. The movie about Madiba and Francois Pienaar was superbly portrayed.
BTW I have several Bibles in my home: -) And, am a white woman of Catholic faith who just loves living on the continent of her birth.
|
|
Read all
78
comments >>
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
People who read
William Ernest Henley
|
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
