'Sentimental Hangman' by Robert Service
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'Tis hard to hang a husky lad
When larks are in the sky;
It hurts when daffydills are glad
To wring a neck awry,
When joy o' Spring is in the sap
And cheery in the sun,
'Tis sad to string aloft a chap,
No matter what he done.
And sittin' in the pub o' night
I hears that prison bell,
And wonders if it's reely right
To haste a man to hell,
For doin' what he had to do,
Through greed, or lust, or hate . . .
Aye, them seem rightful words to you,
But me, I calls it - Fate.
Lots more would flout the gallows tree,
But that they are afraid;
And so to save society,
I ply my grisly trade.
Yet as I throttle eager breath
And plunge to his hell-home
Some cringin' cove, to me his death
Seems more like martyrdom.
For most o' us have held betime
Foul murder in the heart;
And them sad blokes I swung for crime
Were doomed right from the start.
Of wilful choosing they had none,
For freedom's most a fraud,
And maybe in the end the one
Responsible is - God.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sentimental Hangman: A Critical Interpretation
Robert Service's poem, "Sentimental Hangman," is a haunting and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the complexities of justice, morality, and human emotions. Written in his signature style of simple yet powerful language, Service presents us with a narrative that is both captivating and disturbing. In this 4000-word literary analysis, I will take a closer look at the deeper meaning behind the poem, its themes, symbolism, and imagery.
Background and Context
Robert Service was a British-Canadian poet known for his works on the Yukon and Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. His poems are characterized by their simple, rhyming verse and the use of everyday language to convey profound thoughts and emotions. "Sentimental Hangman" was first published in 1926 in Service's collection of poems, "Rhymes of a Red-Cross Man." This collection was written during the First World War and reflects the poet's experiences as a volunteer ambulance driver in France. The poems deal with themes of war, love, death, and human suffering.
The title of the poem, "Sentimental Hangman," is already intriguing and thought-provoking. It suggests a person who is both attached to his job as an executioner and yet feels compassion for his victims. The poem is written in six quatrains, each with a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter is iambic tetrameter, which creates a rhythm that is both steady and somber.
Summary
The poem begins with the hangman addressing his audience, who are the spectators at the execution. He tells them that he feels sorry for the person he is about to hang, who is a young man. The hangman then proceeds to describe the scene of the execution, including the gallows, the rope, and the crowd. He acknowledges that the young man is scared and begs for mercy, but he must do his job.
The second stanza presents a more detailed description of the scene, with the hangman taking note of the faces of the spectators. He sees a woman in the crowd who is crying and feels a pang of compassion. He wonders if the young man has a mother who is also weeping for him. He then takes a closer look at the young man and notices that he is handsome and well-dressed. The hangman is struck by the irony of the situation, that a person like this could end up on the gallows.
In the third stanza, the hangman thinks about his own life and how he ended up in this profession. He admits that he has no sympathy for murderers and compares his job to that of a doctor who must cure a patient even if it means causing pain. However, he also acknowledges that he has a certain attachment to his job, as it gives him a sense of power and control over life and death.
The fourth stanza takes a turn towards the philosophical, with the hangman questioning the nature of justice and punishment. He wonders if the young man's execution will bring any real justice to the victim's family or if it is just a way to satisfy society's need for revenge. He also reflects on the fact that the young man's life will soon be over, while the hangman will continue to live and carry out his job.
The fifth stanza returns to the scene of the execution, with the hangman preparing the young man for his death. He tells him to be brave and not to struggle, as it will only make things worse. The hangman then ties the noose around the young man's neck and gives the signal for the trapdoor to be opened.
The final stanza is the most moving and powerful of the poem. The hangman describes the moment when the young man falls, and the rope tightens around his neck. He sees the young man's face turn blue and his eyes roll back. The hangman then laments the fact that he cannot bring the young man back to life, that he is now gone forever. He also acknowledges that he will never forget this young man and will carry the memory of this execution with him for the rest of his life.
Themes
The poem deals with a number of important themes that are relevant to both the time it was written and to contemporary society. These themes include:
Justice and punishment
One of the central themes of the poem is the nature of justice and punishment. The hangman questions whether the execution of the young man will bring any real justice to the victim's family or whether it is simply a way to satisfy society's need for revenge. The poem suggests that justice is a complex and elusive concept that cannot be reduced to a simple act of punishment.
Compassion and empathy
Another important theme of the poem is compassion and empathy. The hangman feels sorry for the young man and acknowledges his fear and pain. He also notices the woman in the crowd who is crying and wonders if the young man has a mother who is also weeping for him. The poem suggests that even in the most difficult and tragic situations, there is room for compassion and empathy.
Life and death
The poem also explores the theme of life and death. The hangman is aware of the finality of death and the fact that the young man's life will soon be over. He also reflects on his own life and the fact that he will continue to live and carry out his job. The poem suggests that life and death are intertwined and that we must confront the reality of death in order to fully appreciate the value of life.
Power and control
Finally, the poem deals with the theme of power and control. The hangman acknowledges that his job gives him a sense of power and control over life and death. However, he also recognizes that this power comes with a heavy responsibility and that he must use it wisely and with compassion.
Symbolism and Imagery
Service's use of symbolism and imagery adds depth and richness to the poem. Some of the most powerful examples include:
The gallows and the noose
The gallows and the noose are powerful symbols of death and punishment. They represent the finality of death and the fact that once the noose is tied, there is no turning back. The image of the young man standing on the gallows, with the noose around his neck, creates a sense of tension and foreboding that is both haunting and powerful.
The woman in the crowd
The woman in the crowd is a symbol of compassion and empathy. Her tears represent the deep emotional impact that the execution has on those who witness it. The hangman's recognition of her pain and his acknowledgment of the young man's mother create a sense of connection and shared humanity that is both moving and poignant.
The young man's face
The young man's face is described in detail throughout the poem, emphasizing his youth, beauty, and innocence. The contrast between his appearance and his fate creates a sense of tragedy and injustice that is both powerful and thought-provoking.
The hangman's emotions
The hangman's emotions are a central part of the poem, and Service uses simple yet powerful language to convey them. The hangman's admission of his attachment to his job, his feelings of compassion for the young man, and his sense of responsibility for carrying out the execution all create a complex and nuanced character that is both sympathetic and disturbing.
Conclusion
"Sentimental Hangman" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that raises important questions about justice, morality, and human emotions. Through his use of simple language, Service creates a narrative that is both accessible and profound. The poem's themes of compassion, empathy, life and death, and power and control are relevant to contemporary society and remind us of the importance of confronting difficult and complex issues. The poem's use of symbolism and imagery adds depth and richness to the narrative, creating a work of art that is both haunting and beautiful.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sentimental Hangman: A Poem of Love, Death, and Irony
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, is known for his vivid and dramatic portrayals of life in the rugged and unforgiving wilderness of the Canadian North. However, in his poem "Sentimental Hangman," Service takes a departure from his usual themes and explores the darker side of human nature, love, and death. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem and uncover the layers of irony and symbolism that make it a masterpiece of modern poetry.
The poem begins with a vivid and gruesome image of a hangman, who is described as "a man of rope and leather" with "a face like a carving of stone." The hangman is a symbol of death and the ultimate punishment for those who have committed crimes. However, the hangman in this poem is not just a cold and heartless executioner, but a man who is capable of feeling emotions and even falling in love. This is where the irony of the poem lies, as the hangman's job is to take away life, yet he himself is capable of feeling love and passion.
The hangman's love interest is a young woman who is described as "a lass of tender years" with "eyes like the dawn." She is a symbol of innocence and beauty, and her presence in the poem creates a stark contrast to the hangman's dark and gruesome job. The hangman is drawn to her beauty and innocence, and he longs to be with her despite the fact that he knows he is not worthy of her love. This creates a sense of tension and conflict in the poem, as the hangman's desire for the young woman is at odds with his role as an executioner.
The poem takes a dramatic turn when the hangman is tasked with executing the young woman's lover, who is described as a "lad of twenty summers" with "hair like the raven's wing." The hangman is torn between his duty to carry out the execution and his love for the young woman. He knows that if he executes her lover, he will lose her forever, but if he spares him, he will be going against his job and risking his own life. This creates a sense of suspense and anticipation in the poem, as the reader is left wondering what the hangman will do.
In the end, the hangman decides to spare the young man's life, and he sets him free. This act of mercy is a powerful moment in the poem, as it shows that even the most hardened and ruthless of men are capable of compassion and love. However, the irony of the situation is not lost on the hangman, as he knows that he has just spared the life of a man who will likely go on to commit more crimes and possibly even end up on the gallows himself. This creates a sense of tragedy and inevitability in the poem, as the hangman's act of mercy is ultimately futile in the face of the harsh realities of life and death.
The poem ends with a haunting image of the hangman walking away from the gallows, with the young woman's lover by his side. The hangman is described as "a man of rope and leather" once again, but this time he is not alone. He has found a companion in the young man, and together they walk away from the scene of death and towards an uncertain future. This creates a sense of hope and redemption in the poem, as the hangman has found a new purpose in life and a new sense of humanity.
In conclusion, "Sentimental Hangman" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of love, death, and irony. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and irony creates a complex and multi-layered poem that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem challenges our perceptions of death and the role of the executioner, and it reminds us that even the most hardened of men are capable of love and compassion. "Sentimental Hangman" is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.
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