English Notes Latest Questions

What poetic devices are used in the poem Invictus?

What poetic devices are used in the poem Invictus?

1 Answer

  1. Following figures of speech/literary devices have been used in the poem Invictus:

    1. Alliteration- It is the occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of closely connected words. Examples- “Black as the Pit from pole to pole”, “clutch of circumstance”, “Finds, and shall find”
    2. Personification– Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Examples- “the night that covers me”, “fell clutch of circumstance”, “the bludgeonings of chance”
    3. Metaphor– A metaphor directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. The phrase “the night that covers me” is a metaphor for the poet’s hardships, and “the Horror of the shade” is a metaphor for death and its terrifying nature.
    4. Simile- A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things. Example- “Black as the Pit from pole to pole”
    5. Imagery– Imagery refers to the elements of a poem that engage a reader’s senses. Examples- “Black as the Pit”, “My head is bloody”, “Beyond this place of wrath and tears”

    Invictus Poem Summary & Explanation

You must login to add an answer.