'Murderers' by Robert Service


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He was my best and oldest friend.
I'd known him all my life.
And yet I'm sure towards the end
He knew I loved his wife,
And wonder, wonder if it's why
He came so dreadfully to die.

He drove his car at racing speed
And crashed into a tree.
How could he have so little heed?
A skillful driver he.
I think he must have found that day
Some love-letters that went astray.

I looked into the woman's eyes
And there I saw she knew.
There was no shadow of surmise, -
For her himself he slew:
That he might leave her free to wed
The "me" she worshipped in his stead.

She whispered as she bade me go:
"I think he found us out."
And in her face the hate and woe
Was his revenge, no doubt.
Life cannot link us . . . though glad-green
His grave - he stands between.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Murderers by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that sends chills down your spine and leaves you with a feeling of unease? It's rare to come across such a piece of literature, but Robert Service's "Murderers" is one such poem. The poem paints a vivid picture of a group of murderers, who are on the run after committing a heinous crime. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the meaning behind "Murderers."

Summary of the Poem

"Murderers" is a poem that tells the story of a group of murderers who are on the run after killing a man. The opening stanza sets the scene by describing the murderers as "three of them--bloody and dripping, lurched at the railway station." The three men are tired and worn out, having just committed a crime, and are trying to escape from the law.

The second stanza paints a picture of the men's physical appearance, describing them as "grimy and sweaty, and gray." The men are covered in dirt and blood, and their faces are contorted in a grimace of fear and anxiety.

The third stanza introduces the idea of guilt and remorse. The murderers are haunted by their actions and are desperately trying to justify their crime, saying that they had no other choice but to kill the man.

The fourth stanza brings in a sense of urgency as the murderers realize that the law is closing in on them. They know that they are going to be caught and are preparing to face the consequences of their actions.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the murderers being taken away by the authorities. The poem ends with a sense of finality, leaving the reader to contemplate the consequences of their own actions.

Themes in the Poem

The poem touches on several themes that are relevant to our society. Some of the themes explored in "Murderers" include:

Guilt and Remorse

The poem explores the theme of guilt and remorse, with the murderers struggling to come to terms with their actions. The men are haunted by their crime and are desperately trying to justify their actions, saying that they had no other choice but to kill the man. However, they are unable to shake off their guilt and are consumed by their remorse.

Consequences of Actions

The poem also explores the theme of consequences of actions. The murderers know that they are going to be caught and are preparing to face the consequences of their actions. The poem serves as a warning to readers that every action has consequences, and one must be prepared to face them.

Morality

The poem touches on the theme of morality, with the murderers trying to justify their actions. The men believe that they had no other choice but to kill the man, but the poem questions the morality of their actions. The poem serves as a reminder that there are always alternatives to violence, and one must choose the moral path.

Literary Devices in the Poem

Robert Service's "Murderers" is not just a story, but a masterpiece of literary devices. Some of the literary devices used in the poem include:

Imagery

Service uses imagery to create vivid and powerful images in the reader's mind. The poem is full of descriptive language that paints a picture of the murderers and their surroundings. The use of imagery helps to bring the poem to life and makes it easier for readers to visualize the scene.

Repetition

The poem uses repetition to emphasize certain words and phrases. For example, the phrase "bloody and dripping" is repeated twice in the first stanza, emphasizing the violent nature of the murderers.

Alliteration

The poem also uses alliteration to create a musical effect. For example, the phrase "grimy and sweaty, and gray" uses repetition of the "g" sound, creating a musical effect that adds to the poem's overall tone.

Rhyme

The poem uses a simple rhyme scheme, with the last word of each line rhyming with the last word of the next line. The use of rhyme adds to the poem's musicality, making it easier to read and remember.

Interpretation of the Poem

The poem "Murderers" is a haunting portrayal of the consequences of violence. The poem serves as a warning to readers that every action has consequences, and one must be prepared to face them. The murderers in the poem are consumed by their guilt and remorse, and the poem questions the morality of their actions, reminding readers that there are always alternatives to violence.

Robert Service's use of imagery, repetition, alliteration, and rhyme help to create a vivid and powerful poem that stays with the reader long after they have finished reading it. The use of literary devices also adds to the poem's overall musicality, making it a joy to read.

In conclusion, "Murderers" is a masterpiece of literature that explores themes of guilt, remorse, consequences of actions, and morality. The poem's use of literary devices helps to bring the story to life, making it a haunting and powerful piece of literature that stays with the reader long after they have finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Murderers by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the dark side of human nature. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem opens with the line, "Murderers are not monsters, they're men." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately challenges our preconceived notions about murderers. Service is telling us that murderers are not some otherworldly creatures, but rather they are human beings just like us. This line is powerful because it forces us to confront the fact that anyone, under the right circumstances, could become a murderer.

The poem goes on to describe the different types of murderers. There are those who kill for money, those who kill for love, and those who kill for revenge. Service is showing us that there are many different motivations for murder, and that each murderer has their own unique story. This is an important point because it reminds us that we should not judge people based solely on their actions. We need to understand the circumstances that led them to commit such a heinous act.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Service describes the act of murder itself. He tells us that it is a "terrible thing" and that it "stains the soul." This is a powerful image because it reminds us that murder is not just a physical act, but it also has a profound impact on the psyche of the murderer. Service is telling us that murder is not something that can be easily forgotten or forgiven.

The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone as Service asks the question, "Who shall condemn them?" This is a powerful question because it challenges our notions of justice and morality. Service is asking us to consider whether it is our place to judge murderers. He is suggesting that perhaps only a higher power can truly understand the motivations behind murder and pass judgment.

The poem then takes a surprising turn as Service describes the aftermath of murder. He tells us that murderers often suffer from guilt and regret, and that they are haunted by the memory of their crime. This is a powerful image because it reminds us that even those who commit the most heinous acts are still human beings with emotions and feelings.

The poem then ends with the line, "Murderers are not monsters, they're men." This line is a powerful reminder that murderers are not some otherworldly creatures, but rather they are human beings just like us. It is a call to empathy and understanding, and a reminder that we should not judge people based solely on their actions.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse. This means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter pattern. This is an effective choice because it allows Service to focus on the content of the poem rather than trying to fit it into a specific structure. The lack of structure also gives the poem a more conversational tone, which makes it feel more personal and relatable.

Service also uses a number of literary devices throughout the poem. One of the most prominent is repetition. He repeats the line, "Murderers are not monsters, they're men," several times throughout the poem. This repetition is effective because it reinforces the central theme of the poem and makes it more memorable.

Service also uses imagery to great effect. He describes murder as a "terrible thing" that "stains the soul." These images are powerful because they create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and help to convey the emotional impact of murder.

In conclusion, Murderers by Robert Service is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our preconceived notions about murderers. Service reminds us that murderers are not monsters, but rather they are human beings just like us. He asks us to consider the circumstances that led them to commit such a heinous act, and to show empathy and understanding rather than judgment. The poem is written in free verse and uses repetition and imagery to great effect. It is a timeless piece that continues to resonate with readers today.

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