"OUT of the night that surrounds me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable spirit," begins the opening line of "Invictus." William Ernest Henley is saying that someone's life is enveloped by darkness. Every facet of their life is reminiscent of the "pit," or torment. However, this person has found strength in desolation, and so they too will conquer. Invictus comes from the Latin word meaning "undefeated." It was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1855 while he was serving as the United States Poet Laureate. The poem is about a man who finds peace in despair, just like Unconquered King Richard III. Although his life was filled with violence and terror, he managed to find tranquility in madness and death. Here are two more lines from the poem: "If you seek my soul, look into my eyes; / If you want to see my heart, read my lips." Invictus teaches us that we can take away everything else about someone - their reputation, dignity, and even their life - but they will still be able to see what you really think of them deep down below your appearance. This tells us that the protagonist of the poem is surrounded by darkness.