Invictus Questions & Answers

Hi Everyone!! This article will share Invictus Questions & Answers.

This poem is written by William Ernest Henley. In my previous posts, I have shared the questions and answers of Warned and Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead so, you can check these posts as well.

Invictus Questions & Answers

Word Galaxy

• Invictus – unconquered
• Wrath – anger
• Bludgeonings – violent beating with a club
• Pit – a large deep hole in the ground
• Fell clutch – wicked trap
• Looms – hangs overhead
• Winced – jerked with pain
• Menance – threat

Question 1: What is the poet, in the poem Invictus, thankful for?

Answer: The poet is thankful for the strength and tenacity with which he could face all hardships in life. The poet suffered a lot of hardships and struggles but his soul always remained undefeated and unconquered. He is thankful to the force that has helped him keep his head high against all odds.

Question 2: List the lines that show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely?

Answer: The lines that show that the poet has suffered his hardships bravely are:

Question 3: How did the poet face the challenges in his life?

Answer: The poet had been the unfortunate victim of circumstances. Though he was heavily burdened with a lot of struggles in life, he never complained and continued living like any normal person. The difficulties beat him down like a cudgel beating a helpless person. However difficult his sufferings, the poet did not surrender or bow his head in defeat. He never ‘winced or cried aloud’, never complained openly about his pain nor did he allow sorrow to get the better of him. He remained unconquered.

Invictus Questions & Answers

Question 4: What is meant by the ‘place of wrath and fears’?

Answer: ‘The place of wrath and fears’ means the world where we live – a place of anger and sadness.

Question 5: What does the poet have full control over?

Answer: He has full control over his fate, his soul and his life.

Question 6: Read the lines and answer the questions:

 (a) What is the ‘place’ mentioned in the above lines?

Answer: The place mentioned is Earth where he is at present.

(b) Why is it filled with tears?

Answer: He has had difficult times on Earth due to ill health and suffering. Hence, it is filled with tears. It also refers to the tears shed by others who go through difficulties in life.

(c) What does the poet want to convey in the last line?

Answer: The poet wants to stress that no problem would overpower him. He is unaffected by any challenge, whether in the present or in the future.

Invictus Questions & Answers

Question 7: Read the lines and answer the questions:

(a) What is the poet not bothered about?

Answer: The poet talks about life beyond death. He is not worried about the narrow gate his soul may have to pass through after his death.

(b) What punishment does the poet anticipate?

Answer: He probably is talking about the punishment a person may get if they have not lead a good life on earth.

(c) What do you understand about the attitude of the poet from the last two lines?

Answer: The poet, in the last two lines, boldly concludes that he and only he is responsible for his destiny. No one can change or tamper with it.

Question 8: Why do you think the poet has chosen the theme which is about one’s fight against adversity in life?

Answer: The poet contracted tuberculosis at a very young age and his leg had to be amputated. He wrote the poem shortly after that. This poem is about the courage he showed when faced with death and ill health. It is about the way he held on to his courage and dignity totally undeterred by the cruel game played by fate in his life. This fighting spirit of his is what we see in the poem.

Question 9: What do the following symbolize? Match the columns:

So, these were Invictus Questions & Answers.