Darkness is a metaphor for evil, and perhaps depression, "The Pit" is Hell.

The writer, in thanking the

Gods for his "unconquerable soul" is meaning that whatever bodily adversity he faces, his soul will remain
unconquered.

The second verse repeats the theme, the body may be broken, but not the spirit (Fell = bad or evil)

The third verse talks about the "Place of wrath and tears" meaning the physical worls (Cf the Burial
Service from the book of common prayer, refering to life as "this vale of tears" (Wrath = anger) and also
the "Horror of the Shade" which is a poetic expression for Death (Shade = a ghost or spirit) and even
faced with both of these the writer is unafraid.

"Strait the gate" is a biblical reference (Strait = narrow)
the last two lines repeat the main theme, that a person is responsible for their self, whatever happens in
life.

1. Clearly, Henley believes that he is always in control. Even when hard times and disasters strike
his life, he claims that he is in charge. The opening lines show that he is the victim in a dark world;
yet, he is indebted to whatever gods there may be for giving him his unconquerable soul. He is ready
to face and defeat whatever enemy he encounters Thus the title Invictus meaning that he is
unbeaten.
2. In the second quatrain, we see Henley taking a beating by lifes circumstances. His reaction is that
he is suffering in silence. He continues to hold his head up, but he does not tell us how he is fighting
back or even trying to gain control of the situation at hand. He is simply stating that he is taking his
punishment like a man. Is this not the Stoical mindset to suffer in silence? Is there not a vast
difference between Stoicism and Christianity?
3. In the third quatrain, he indicates that there is something beyond the life in this place of wrath and
tears. And he indicates that he doesnt find much to look forward to since he refers to that
destination of looming Horror of the shade. Once again, he does not tell us how he is resisting, or,
if indeed, he is resisting. He simply says that he will continue to be unafraid in the Horror beyond
this place of wrath and tears.
4. In the fourth quatrain, we see Biblical references to the strait gate. There are various
interpretations, and many reasons are given as to why Henley used this allusion to Matthew 7. But it
appears that this atheist was taking a defiant shot at the Christian belief with Jesus saying in
Matthew 7, strait is the way and narrow the gate. The second line indicates that Henley doesnt
really care how sinful his life might have been as some unseen hand records all of his misdeeds.

But in the end, he continues to tell us that he is the master of his fate and the captain of his soul.
Yet, nowhere in the poem does he appear optimistic about his future. Nowhere does he exhibit any
control of his destiny. Yet if he were truly the master of his fate and captain of his soul, would he not
choose a life of peace and prosperity rather than a life of constant strife.