How about celebrating our Memorize This! series by starting with the poem, Invictus? It gave the name to Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated film about Nelson Mandela, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.
As Nell Minow describes it, "The poem was a source of inspiration to Nelson Mandela during his captivity and he wrote out a copy by hand for the captain of the rugby team to inspire him to lead them to the world championship." The poem has a special story behind it, because the poet William Ernest Henley had his leg amputated after he became a victim to tuberculosis of the bone. He wrote Invictus from his hospital bed. His friend Robert Louis Stevenson based the character of Treasure Island's, Long John Silver on him!
My 15 year-old son and I memorized half of it together over the phone on Sunday, and we both talked about what a good feeling it gave us. Oprah Winfrey memorized Invictus when she was nine years old, so no excuses! You can do it.
Remember that when you memorize a poem, also remember to memorize the title and name of the poet. Click here to read my tips on memorization skills. I've highlighted it all in yellow, because our brains are somehow able to more easily remember what we've studied if it's black on yellow, like ink on a legal pad.
For a good example of how to recite the poem with a sense of meaning, rhythm, and beauty, you might want to practice imitating how Morgan Freeman does it by listening to the movie trailer at the bottom of the poem. Your own voice will come through. Feel free to send me a video of yourself reciting it. I'll post it on the blog if you speak clearly, dress cleanly, and look into the camera.
INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
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