Invictus: Unconquered Spirit with Professor NedumaranProfessor Nedumaran introduces an episode of “This Week in Poetry” featuring William Ernest Henley’s 1875 poem “Invictus,” describing it as a source of strength in dark times. He shares Henley’s background of severe suffering, including a tuberculosis of the bone diagnosis at 17, the amputation of his left leg below the knee, and writing the poem in hospital while facing the possible loss of his remaining leg. Nedumaran explains that “Invictus” means “unconquered” in Latin and notes its famous closing lines, which Nelson Mandela recited during 27 years of imprisonment on Robben Island. He then recites the full 16-line poem and closes by announcing a future episode on Rudyard Kipling’s “If.”00:00 Welcome to the Show00:17 Henley’s Story and Context01:01 Why Invictus Endures01:26 Invictus Reading02:48 Closing and Next Episode

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit poetryprofessor.substack.com