Comparing 'If And Invictus' By William Ernest Henley

Comparing and Contrasting “If”and“Invictus” Every author has their own unique style to get their concepts and ideas across. If is a poem that displays confidence, honesty and fortitude, laying out the the struggles and strengths one must have and do to maintain self-control and become bold and valiant. Invictus is about being unconquerable and undefeated in the face of severe situation. Although complete different in both style and themes, the poems “If” by Rudyard Kipling and “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, share some similarities and differences in how they each get their theme across.

These poems are both very similar from the start. In the first stanzas, they both express feelings of overcoming obstacles. “I thank whatever gods may be. For my unconquerable soul.”

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.”

One must be calm, collected about the decisions one makes and taking full responsibility, even if others react negatively. These verses both express overall confidence regardless of whatever obstacle they are faced with.

These two poems depict a sense of courage and confidence. “If you can dream—and not make dreams your master, If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim…” Difficulties and Disasters happen quite often, but do not take them seriously because they are not the substance of life, they are the obstacles. “In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of chance, My head is bloody, but unbowed.”

Regardless of the situation, the author is able to tolerate it. He refuses to surrender no