'The Homicide' by Robert Service


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Rhymes for My RagsThey say she speeded wanton wildWhen she was warm with wine;
And so she killed a little child,(Could have been yours or mine).
The Judge's verdict was not mild,And heavy was the fine.And yet I see her driving still,But maybe with more care . . .
Oh I should hate a child to killWith vine leaves in my hair;
I think that I should grieve untilLife was too bleak to bear.I think that I would see each dayThat child in beauty grow.
How she would haunt me in her play.And I would watch her go
To School a-dancing on her way,With gladness all aglow!And then one day I might believe,With angel eyes ashine,
She'd say to me: 'Please do not grieve,Maybe the fault was mine.
Take heart,--to Heaven's comfort cleave,For am I not divine!'I think I know how I would feelIf I a child should slay;
The rest of living I would kneelAnd for God's pity pray . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Homicide by Robert Service: A Literary Masterpiece

Are you looking for a remarkable poem that showcases the immense talent of a great writer? Look no further than Robert Service's "The Homicide." This poem is a literary masterpiece that combines complex themes, poetic language, and vivid imagery to deliver a powerful message about the destructive nature of violence.

Overview of "The Homicide"

"The Homicide" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who kills his lover in a fit of jealous rage. The poem is divided into eight stanzas, and each stanza builds on the previous one to create a vivid and emotional account of the murder.

The poem opens with the killer confessing his crime and wondering why he did it:

I had no heart to murder him;
I had no cause to hate;
But yet I slew him limb from limb,
For that, it seemed, was Fate.

The killer's tone is remorseful, and he seems confused about why he committed the murder. As the poem progresses, we learn that the killer's lover had been unfaithful to him, and this betrayal triggered his violent outburst.

The poem ends with the killer being caught and sentenced to death. In the final stanza, he reflects on his actions and wonders if he will be punished in the afterlife:

I have no hope of Paradise,
So let me go to Hell,
For I have killed the thing I loved,
And done my soul to sell.

Analysis of "The Homicide"

"The Homicide" is a powerful poem that explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and violence. Through the character of the killer, Service shows us how these emotions can lead to destructive behavior and tragic consequences.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Service's use of rhyme and rhythm creates a sense of urgency and tension that builds throughout the poem. The short, choppy lines in the opening stanza convey the killer's emotional turmoil, while the longer, more measured lines in the later stanzas reflect the somber tone of the poem.

Service also uses vivid imagery to create a sense of horror and disgust. The description of the murder itself is particularly gruesome:

I hacked and hewed with all my might,
Till he was still and dead;
Oh, God! how I was mad that night,
And how my hands were red!

The use of the word "hacked" and the repetition of "how" create a vivid image of the killer's violent actions. The fact that his hands are "red" with blood adds to the horror of the scene.

The poem also explores the psychological effects of violence. The killer's confusion and remorse suggest that he was not entirely in control of his actions. This raises questions about the nature of free will and the extent to which we are responsible for our behavior.

Finally, "The Homicide" offers a commentary on the nature of justice. The fact that the killer is sentenced to death raises questions about the morality of capital punishment. The poem also suggests that punishment may not be enough to make up for the harm caused by violence:

And though they stretch me on the rack,
Or hang me from a tree,
The pain will never equalled be
Of what I did to thee.

The killer acknowledges that no punishment can ever undo the harm he has caused. This suggests that we need to find ways to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, rather than simply punishing those who commit it.

Conclusion

"The Homicide" is a remarkable poem that showcases Robert Service's immense talent as a writer. Through its exploration of themes of jealousy, betrayal, and violence, the poem offers a powerful commentary on the nature of human behavior and the consequences of our actions.

Service's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and emotional account of the murder, while his exploration of the psychological effects of violence raises important questions about the nature of free will and morality.

Overall, "The Homicide" is a literary masterpiece that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone interested in the power of poetry to explore complex themes and emotions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Homicide: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have come across Robert Service's classic poem, The Homicide. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and actions. It is a poem that tells a story of a man who commits murder and the aftermath of his actions. In this article, we will take a detailed look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The Homicide is a poem that is written in the first person. The narrator is the murderer himself, and he tells the story of how he killed his victim. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and mood. The first stanza is calm and reflective, the second is intense and violent, while the third is remorseful and regretful.

In the first stanza, the narrator reflects on his actions and the events that led him to commit murder. He talks about how he was driven to kill by his emotions and how he had no control over his actions. He says, "I killed a man, and I'm sorry for it now. / It's twenty years ago, and I've repented, anyhow." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the narrator is remorseful for his actions.

The second stanza is where the poem takes a dark turn. The narrator describes the act of murder in vivid detail, and the reader can feel the intensity of the moment. He says, "I struck him down with a cruel blow, / And then I fled in the night." This line shows that the narrator was not only violent but also cowardly, as he ran away from the scene of the crime.

The third stanza is where the narrator expresses his regret and remorse for his actions. He talks about how he has spent the last twenty years of his life trying to make amends for what he has done. He says, "I've tried to live a decent life, / And do some good each day." This line shows that the narrator has tried to make up for his past mistakes by living a good life.

The Homicide is a poem that explores the themes of guilt, regret, and redemption. It shows how a person's actions can have a profound impact on their life and the lives of those around them. The poem also highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and making amends for past mistakes.

One of the most significant aspects of this poem is the use of language. Robert Service's use of language is simple yet powerful. He uses short, concise sentences to convey the intensity of the moment, and his words are carefully chosen to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. For example, when the narrator describes the act of murder, he says, "I struck him down with a cruel blow." This line is short and to the point, but it creates a powerful image in the reader's mind.

Another significant aspect of this poem is the use of imagery. Robert Service uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the events that take place in the poem. For example, when the narrator describes the act of murder, he says, "The moon was up, and the stars were bright, / And the wind was in the trees." This line creates a peaceful image, which is in stark contrast to the violent act that takes place.

In conclusion, The Homicide is a classic poem that explores the themes of guilt, regret, and redemption. It is a poem that tells a story of a man who commits murder and the aftermath of his actions. Robert Service's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the events that take place in the poem. The Homicide is a poem that will stay with you long after you have read it, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotions and actions.

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