Doorway to Tenacity

The definition of tenacity is the quality of continuing to exist, to say that it is persistence. It is sheer determination, like a strong grip that won't let go. It is this essence that defines who you are as a person, what you will achieve in life. Much of our lives we deal with conflicts and struggles. It is the tenacity inside a person that drives them to continue the good fight and attain their dreams. This essay will discuss this theme that runs throughout famous poetry and music.

In the poem Invictus, written in 1875 by William Ernest Henry, never surrendering is the main theme. In the first stanza he writes, “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”. Henry knew that one extremely important characteristic in life was having an unconquerable soul, because with that attribute, we can never permanently fail. Invictus describes a person who refuses to give up, a person who may become beaten but never falters (“Bloodied, but unbowed”, line 8, Invictus). He even goes further to say that the 'menace of the years' shall find him unafraid. He writes about the mindset that only he can control his fate, and no one else.

The poem Ulysses by Alfred Tennyson describes a similar tale. In the beginning, he talks about how there is little point staying home, performing the same menial tasks and living a dreary repetitive lifestyle. He goes on to talk about how he longs to travel again, like he did when he was a sailor. He speaks out that it is a dull thing to stay in one place, “To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!” (line 23, Ulysses). In the end he proclaims that he will continue to travel even in his old age until death. Nothing can destroy his resolve, and nothing can make him yield.

Much like when William Shakespeare said “All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players;”, Freddy Mercury of Queen sings about the same setting in The Show Must Go On. This song portrays the attitude that we must continue on with our part. He says “Inside my heart is breaking, my make-up may be flaking, but my smile stays on”, meaning that although your world may feel like it's crumbling down around you, we must carry on with our part, and look in the beaming positive light. He says we must face our hurdles with a grin on our face, and find the will to carry on.

There are many ways to describe strength in the grim face of adversity, these are simply a few selections that highlight that theme. Throughout history we look to the people who never give up and take courage as heroes. But heroes aren't just the ones that a public servants, like soldiers, police, and firefighters. These are the people who never give in, who do what is right, and can laugh and love even in times of hardships. The hardy attitude that the world will never break you.

If there is one thing to take away from this invincible state of mind, it is that the only one that can let you fail, is yourself. Though there will be setbacks, and not everything will turn out perfectly as planned, you can always pick yourself up and start back on the trail again. You must control your life, and stand back up every time you get knocked down. The essence of life is “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”, and your constant struggles “finds, and shall find you unafraid”, because “the show must go on.”