Consider these two poems as representations of the stoicism that marked much of British Victorian work. How does this concept play out in Tennyson's piece? (You may need to research the event that inspired the poem to gain a better understanding of tension and context of the piece.)
Then, we have the perennial favorite, "Invictus." Discuss the beliefs expressed in this poem and probe its emotional resonance.
Then, we have the perennial favorite, "Invictus." Discuss the beliefs expressed in this poem and probe its emotional resonance.
Both of these poems don't fit well with the other poems that we've reading thus far, and I really like that. As we're moving onwards in the timeline of modern poetry. Anyways, i liked these, but not in a very deep sense. I thought that they were exceptionally emotionally inciting, but I had a hard time seeing any kind of symbolism or meaning. They were both very invigorating and made the reader Feel the scene portrayed. On the other hand, I don't think that invictus specifically was not really trying to harp on the god line. I think that, descriptively, it was a great emotional line, however, I don't think that he was making some sort of big point regarding god and spiritualism. The line makes me see this nameless protagonist as cold, but still sharp and virile. I think he was trying really to just make the character seem like his own man, fighting by himself, come hell or high water, regardless of what he is fighting for (i.e. Gods) VERY stoic.
ReplyDeleteIn Charge of the Light Brigade the main concept is a suicide mission, with this stoicism plays a huge role because many of the fighters knew they were going to die in that battle but still had to remain stoic. The fact that they remained stoic shows there true pride and that they were fighter for something they believed strongly in. In Invictus the most obvious mention of religion is in the third line "I thank whatever gods may be" the interesting thing about this line is the plural form of god, meaning the writer was polytheistic, and after reading his poem more than once the reader may get the sense that the author is incisive about his religion due to the fact that he cannot know for sure which religion is "correct" making it seem as tho the author is most likely agnostic. In the sixth line "I have not winced nor cried aloud" the readers see another example of stoicism in the sense that he refuses to show emotion.
ReplyDeleteStoicism is prevalent in "Charge of the Light Brigade" because of the fact that their commander sent them in on essentially, a suicide mission. Knowing this, they still charged on and fought bravely. Many men were slaughtered, yet they showed no emotion, they continued on, and eventually retreated back into safety. Invictus encompasses a very agnostic view of the world and religion. That being said at one point a belief in the afterlife is also expressed. He is relying on his own strength and will to survive. The emotional resonance is that he escaped the clutches of death by the means of willpower. I can sympathize with this because their are points in everybody's life including mine, where you feel as if you were punished by circumstance. Essentially the times where you think "why me?". The only way to survive those brash moments in life is to keep your head up and deal with it. Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that.
ReplyDeleteIn Tennyson's piece, an emotional, visual scene comes into mind. These men are fighting the Crimean War, which lasted three years, where it was basically Russia fighting against multiple European countries. The poem gives a feeling of togetherness between the men fighting in the war. Though, this poem at the beginning seems as if these men have pride to win the war, as you read on, it is actually talking about suicide. At the end of the poem it says to honor the light brigade, there it solidifies that these men have lost all hope and know that they were all going to die. Invictus on the other hand, shows the tenacity of war. Henley, the author has an agnostic outlook on life where he doesn't know what to religiously believe. He focuses on the war aspect more rather than the religious view. This poem is fiercely written. In the couplet at the end, he states that he is the master of his fate and the captain of his soul, he shows how tenacious he is because he is going to go all out in this war and that nothing is more important for him at the time.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of stoicism that plays out in "Charge of the Light Brigade," is that questioning a task is completely irrelevant- you just do it. The underlying moral meaning found in this poem is that it is crucial to remain solemn and push forward, even in the darkest of times. In "Invictus" the concept of stoicism plays a vital role in this piece. The narrator carries himself in a way that emanates honor and an essence of composure. Though his religious views are hazy, there is a large possibility that he is agnostic by the statement, "I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul." One other interesting point to note is that even with his hesitance towards the belief in a god, he remains faithful through his hardships. The essence that the main subject conveys in the poem is that the belief that his own spirit and strength will carry him forward.
ReplyDeleteStoicism/stoic is to have the spirit of self-denial. It means that you don't fight against the orders that you have to follow. You do not rebel to the idea and just do it. The Charge of the Light Brigade is very intense, and a poem that carries the tone of courage. The poem is about the war and this poem represents stoicism. It is about Britain just charging and moving forward even though the commands were mistaken. This can be know by line 18-20. They knew it was a suicidal plan but they kept going. It was an event where the Britain were capable of proving their bravery by being stoic. Invictus is an individual poem that is written very firmly. The poet has his strong opinions. He doesn't have a specific religion, he believes that there might be a god but that wouldn't matter because he would still carry on with his own strength and his own firm belief in himself. Both poems are both tenacious and obstinate.
ReplyDeleteInvictus has been widely cited and referred to as a poem that inspires self-empowerment and self-mastery. The poem seems to have a large influence on not only pop culture (the list of references in movies and video games is lengthy) but the influence on real people and large decisions they have made is also quite profound. Parts of the poem have been recited both before and after major decisive encounters in fiction, and Nelson Mandela, while in prison, would recite the poem to fellow inmates to inspire hope. To me, the poem strikes up a mental image of fortitude, physical and emotional impermeability that only a certain breed of people possess. This is surely a valuable mental condition that would serve people well in countless situations of crisis. I feel that understanding the meaning of stoicism while knowing that it doesn’t imply that it’s practitioners are ignorant of feelings is vital, they simply understand these feelings well enough to be able to reason around them.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem "Charge of the Light Brigade" it discusses the seize of war against the enemy involving soldiers. The theme of this story is that not one soldier was distressed by the command ot charge forward. even though they realized that those who commanded made a mistake, they forged on and said nothing. This poem deals with important politics occurring in Tennyson's day. What's important about this poem is the way that sound and visuals are conveyed.
ReplyDelete"Invictus" is about survival during the severest of tests. it is all about circumstances with which we undergo, and how we go about them. Along with this, the switching of beliefs throughout the poem throws one off a bit. In the beginning, around the third line or so, he has a seemingly agnostic view of God and religion. However in the third stanza he hints at an afterlife which one might see as having a belief in something. All in all, these poems differentiated from the others we read, and I welcomed the change.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe stoicism that plays out in the piece of "The Charge of the Light Brigade" is one that can be found in any war really. But this poem tells the story, with very little of any emotion. For example, the second verse, they think there might be someone wounded, but does anybody stop? They know of this death, but no one does anything about it.
ReplyDeleteThe beliefs felt in "Invictus" are that he will continue on, no matter what. What anyone says, or more importantly, what the 'gods' say. He mentions godS, which probably means he does not know if there is one or many, nor does he care. He will preserver. Invictus is about overcoming anything, and although he knows he is going to defeat whatever he sets out for, he knows that fate will take it's course, as he states in the last line.
keeley
In the first poem, Charge of the Light Brigade, Tennyson described the Crimean War as a bloodbath. Six hundred people entered the war with their heads held high and their bravery was shining through. In the second paragraph, it showed that someone seemed to have stumbled and caused something tragic to happen. Even though they had a mishap, they continued on like it was not a big deal, showing the soldiers' stoicism. Cannons were everywhere, and there was nowhere to hide. They took out their swords and waved them at the enemy, thinking that they would be scared. The next thing they knew, they had lost many of their men. Of the few that remained, they retreated with their heads held high, making them stoic.
ReplyDeleteIn the second poem, Invictus, Henley described a man who felt invincible. Even in the darkness of night, he never was afraid. The man that was described seemed to be Agnostic because when he said, "I thank whatever gods may be," he seemed to be unsure if one or more gods actually existed. He was the "master of his fate," which lead me to believe that he did not believe that God had control. Because he felt as though he controlled his own fate, he was brave when it came to his struggles.
The charge of the light brigade describes the stoicism of soldiers in the battle of Balaclava. There was a miscommunication between with their commander, and the men walked into a far more (enter good word here) battle. The continued on, knowing that it was their duty as soldiers to follow the orders given, even if their orders meant losing their life. Some men retreated after the gruesome battle to try to salvage the remains of the brigade. They were seen as admirable, courageous men for their sacrifice for their country. In Invictus by William Ernest Henley, he is describing a fearless man. The poem shows that whatever obstacles and challenges in life you face, you can overcome with the right attitude. "In the fell clutch of circumstance
ReplyDeleteI have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed." He does not let situations bother him. The last two lines describe how every person should lead their life: "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. " Henley gives the reader the idea that you are in charge of your life, and it will be whatever you want it to be depending on your actions.
-laura
In the "Charge of the Light Brigade" I can visualize the battle really well because he almost just outs you in the middle of it. In this poem sticicism is displayed because the horse men have to risk their lives. You have to be brave to go out into battle putting your life on the line. They had to go through a scary place on horseback which is pretty brave. In this poem sticicism is displayed because the horse men have to risk their lives. You have to be brave to go out into battle putting your life on the line. They had to go through a scary place on horseback which is pretty brave. In "invictus" the beliefs expressed in this poem is that he is not going to give up. his emotion is that he will not give up.
ReplyDeleteTennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade" unfurls a tale of self sacrifice and the turmoil of soldiers who are forced to follow orders regardless of how suicidal those orders may seem. Conveying to the reader how honorable death is in battle is clear. Tennyson is praises the effort, yet brings to light and questions the validity and action itself "O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd". Despite this suicidal charge - Custer's last stand, if you will, Tennyson reaffirms his praise to honor the Light Brigade. Henley's "Invictus" is not much less gruesome as it depicts a soldier's bravery and how the body may be broken, the spirit remains whole and unwavering in the face of pain and uncertain fear. The poem also suggests a personal Hell of sorts, and how a person is responsible for their own destiny in the face of tangible and intangible obstacles. Therefore, one must take charge over his or her own sense of self, and whatever happens in life as a consequence of those choices made. He or she should strong and unwavering, disallowing any emotion to weaken and affect "staying the course". Being strong and stoic will serve to conquer the uncertainty of the future.
ReplyDelete