'Two Husbands' by Robert Service


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


Unpenitent, I grieve to state,
Two good men stood by heaven's gate,
Saint Peter coming to await.
The stopped the Keeper of the Keys,
Saying: "What suppliants are these,
Who wait me not on bended knees?

"To get my heavenly Okay
A man should have been used to pray,
Or suffered in some grievous way."

"Oh I have suffered," cried the first.
"Of wives I had the wicked worst,
Who made my life a plague accurst.

"Such martyrdom no tongue can tell;
In mercy's name it is not well
To doom me to another hell."

Saint Peter said: "I comprehend;
But tribulations have their end.
The gate is open, - go my friend."

Then said the second: "What of me?
More I deserve to pass than he,
For I've been wedded twice, you see."

Saint Peter looked at him a while,
And then he answered with a smile:
"Your application I will file.

"Yet twice in double yoke you've driven . . .
Though sinners with our Saints we leaven,
We don't take IMBECILES in heaven."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Two Husbands: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Written by Robert Service

Two Husbands is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet, and writer. The poem narrates the story of a woman who is caught between two husbands. It explores the themes of love, betrayal, and the consequences of one's choices. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and analyze its different aspects.

The Poem

The poem begins with a description of a woman, who was once married to a man named Jim. However, she falls in love with another man, named Jack, and leaves Jim to be with him. The woman and Jack live together happily, but their happiness is short-lived. One day, Jim returns and begs the woman to come back to him. She is torn between her love for Jack and her loyalty to Jim, but eventually decides to return to Jim. However, she is haunted by the memory of Jack and is unable to find happiness with Jim.

The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The language used is easy to understand, but the emotions conveyed are powerful. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part narrating the story of the woman and her two husbands, while the second part focuses on her internal struggle.

Analysis

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including:

Love

Love is the central theme of the poem. The woman is torn between her love for two men, and her choices have consequences for all three of them. The poem shows the destructive power of love, and how it can lead to betrayal and heartbreak.

Betrayal

The poem also explores the theme of betrayal. The woman betrays Jim by leaving him for Jack, and later betrays Jack by returning to Jim. The poem shows how betrayal can have long-lasting and devastating consequences.

Regret

The woman in the poem is filled with regret for her choices. She realizes that she has made a mistake by leaving Jim for Jack, but is unable to change her decision. Her regret is a reminder that our choices have consequences, and we must be careful when making them.

Structure

The poem is divided into two parts, each consisting of four stanzas. The first part narrates the story of the woman and her two husbands, while the second part focuses on her internal struggle. The structure of the poem is simple but effective, with each stanza adding to the overall meaning of the poem.

Imagery

The poem uses vivid imagery to convey its message. For example, the line "She left poor Jim and took the other" paints a picture of the woman leaving Jim for Jack. The line "She felt his kiss upon her lips, she felt his arms around" creates a powerful image of the woman being embraced by Jack. The imagery in the poem helps to bring the story to life and makes it more engaging for the reader.

Tone

The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective. The woman in the poem is filled with regret and is unable to find happiness. The tone of the poem reflects her sadness and the sadness of the situation. However, there is also a sense of resignation in the tone, as if the woman has come to accept her fate.

Interpretation

The poem is a cautionary tale about the consequences of our choices. The woman in the poem is torn between her love for two men, and her decision to leave Jim for Jack has far-reaching consequences. The poem shows that our choices have consequences, and we must be careful when making them.

The poem also explores the destructive power of love. The woman's love for Jack leads to betrayal and heartbreak, and she is left with a sense of regret and sadness. The poem shows that love can be a powerful force, but it can also be destructive if not handled carefully.

Finally, the poem is a reminder that we cannot change the past. The woman in the poem is filled with regret for her choices, but she is unable to change them. The poem shows that we must live with the consequences of our choices and make the best of what we have.

Conclusion

Two Husbands is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and regret. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, but its message is profound. The poem is a cautionary tale about the consequences of our choices and a reminder that we must be careful when making them. The poem is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships and the power of love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Two Husbands: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

Robert Service is a renowned poet known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems is "Two Husbands," which explores the complex nature of love and relationships. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker describing two husbands, one of whom is a "man of gold" and the other a "man of clay." The man of gold is described as handsome, charming, and successful, while the man of clay is portrayed as plain, unremarkable, and poor. Despite their differences, both men are in love with the same woman, and she must choose between them.

The speaker then goes on to describe the woman's dilemma, stating that she is torn between the two men. She loves the man of gold for his charm and success, but she also loves the man of clay for his kindness and devotion. The speaker notes that the woman's heart is divided, and she cannot make a decision.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reveals that the woman ultimately chooses the man of gold. The man of clay is heartbroken and leaves, while the woman and the man of gold begin their life together. However, the speaker notes that the woman is not truly happy with her decision. She misses the man of clay and realizes that she made a mistake.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the nature of love and relationships. He notes that love is not always rational and that people often make mistakes when it comes to matters of the heart. He also suggests that true love is not based on material possessions or social status, but rather on the qualities of the person themselves.

The significance of this poem lies in its exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. It highlights the fact that love is not always straightforward and that people often struggle to make decisions when it comes to matters of the heart. It also suggests that true love is not based on external factors such as wealth or status, but rather on the qualities of the person themselves.

Furthermore, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on societal expectations and pressures. The woman in the poem is torn between two men who represent two different societal ideals: the man of gold represents success and wealth, while the man of clay represents kindness and devotion. The fact that the woman ultimately chooses the man of gold suggests that societal expectations and pressures played a role in her decision.

In conclusion, "Two Husbands" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and relationships. It highlights the fact that love is not always straightforward and that people often struggle to make decisions when it comes to matters of the heart. It also suggests that true love is not based on external factors such as wealth or status, but rather on the qualities of the person themselves. Overall, this poem is a timeless reminder of the power and complexity of love.

Editor Recommended Sites

Deploy Multi Cloud: Multicloud deployment using various cloud tools. How to manage infrastructure across clouds
Local Dev Community: Meetup alternative, local dev communities
Prompt Chaining: Prompt chaining tooling for large language models. Best practice and resources for large language mode operators
Developer Key Takeaways: Dev lessons learned and best practice from todays top conference videos, courses and books
Ocaml App: Applications made in Ocaml, directory

Recommended Similar Analysis

Vanitas Vanitatis, Etc. by Anne Brontë analysis
A Daughter Of Eve by Christina Rossetti analysis
Kitchen Chimney, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
My Cocoon tightens-Colors tease- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Little Black Boy, The by William Blake analysis
Ulster by Rudyard Kipling analysis
I Speak Not by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Poppies by Carl Sandburg analysis
The Brain-is wider than the Sky by Emily Dickinson analysis
Parisian Beggar Women by Langston Hughes analysis