The author of the poem "Invictus" is William Ernest Henry. British poet in the Victorian era (19th century). The poet was frail and sick since he was a child, suffering from tuberculosis. One foot was amputated. In order to save the other foot, he struggled with the disease throughout his life and did not succumb to fate. "Invictus" is Latin, (=unconquerable) meaning unconquerable. This poem is written by the poet on the sickbed. Former South African President Nelson Mandela's biopic "Achievements in People" was released in 2009 and won the 82nd Academy Award. The title of "The Human Factor" has been changed from the original work name "The Human Factor" to "Invictus". The director of the film, Clint Eastwood, draws from a short poem "Invictus" often recited by Mandela, written by William Ernest Henley, and the theme is "Striving for Survival in the Face of Disaster". The film is based on John Carlin's work "Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation" (Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation), and the screenplay is Anthony Peckham. Tells about a period of political experience of Mandela. After Mandela successfully ran for the presidency, South Africa was selected as the host of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Mandela decided to support the South African football team Springboks. The members of the Springboks are all white. They were previously rejected from international competitions because of the apartheid system in South Africa. Most blacks have always regarded the Springboks as a symbol of the apartheid system. But when the Springboks beat New Zealand in overtime and won the World Cup, the gap between black and white disappeared. Pirna was the rugby captain at the time. During the World Cup, he forged a deep friendship with Mandela. Mandela personally presented Pirna with the trophy.
Invictus Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody,but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tear Looms but the Horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid It matters not how strait the gate How charged with punishments the scroll I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul Translation: Unconquerable Through the night that covers me, I see layers of bottomless darkness. Thank God for giving me an unconquerable soul. Even if I was held tightly by hell (jué), I would not flinch or scream. After being hit by waves after wave after wave, my head is full of blood without bowing my head. Outside this world full of anger and tears, the shadow of terror wanders. There are future threats, but I am not afraid. No matter how narrow the door I will pass through, no matter what punishment I will shoulder. I am the master of destiny, I am the commander of the soul.
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