'Hate' by Robert Service
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I had a bitter enemy,
His heart to hate he gave,
And when I died he swore that he
Would dance upon my grave;
That he would leap and laugh because
A livid corpse was I,
And that's the reason why I was
In no great haste to die.
And then - such is the quirk of fate,
One day with joy I read,
Despite his vitalizing hate
My enemy was dead.
Maybe the poison in his heart
Had helped to haste his doom:
He was not spared till I depart
To spit upon my tomb.
The other day I chanced to go
To where he lies alone.
'Tis easy to forgive a foe
When he is dead and gone. . . .
Poor devil! Now his day is done,
(Though bright it was and brave,)
Yet I am happy there is none
To dance upon my grave.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Depths of Human Emotion: A Literary Criticism of Robert Service's "Hate"
Have you ever felt an emotion so powerful, it consumed you entirely? An emotion so strong, it completely blurred your thoughts and actions? Hate, a classic poem written by Robert Service, delves deep into the depths of human emotion, exploring the all-consuming nature of hatred. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and stylistic devices used in "Hate."
Analysis of Themes
Upon first reading "Hate," the most apparent theme is the destructive nature of hate. From the opening lines, Service sets the tone for the poem, stating, "Oh, I have tried to laugh the pain away, Let new flames brush my love-springs like a feather" (1-2). The speaker is trying to ignore the pain of hate and move on, but it is evident that the feeling is too strong to ignore. The imagery of "new flames" brushing the "love-springs" suggests that the speaker is trying to find a new love to replace the hate, but it is futile.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker's hate grow and consume them entirely. The line, "I cannot rid my heart of that dark stain" (5), suggests that the speaker is aware of the destructive nature of the emotion, but they cannot help but feel it. The repetition of the phrase "I hate" in the following stanzas further emphasizes the all-consuming nature of hate.
Another prevalent theme in "Hate" is the idea that hate can be directed towards oneself. The lines, "I hate my cowardice, my weakness, shame - / I hate the very essence of my name" (7-8), suggest that the speaker harbours self-loathing and hate towards themselves. This theme adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it suggests that hate is not always directed towards others but can also be directed inwards.
Analysis of Imagery
Throughout "Hate," Service uses vivid and impactful imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. The speaker's hate is compared to a "canker-worm" that "gnaws with a ceaseless hate" (10-11). This metaphor creates a vivid image of the speaker's hate consuming them from the inside out. The use of the word "ceaseless" suggests that the speaker's hate is unrelenting and never-ending.
The line, "I hate the very flower that bears my name" (8), is a particularly striking image. The flower is typically associated with beauty and positivity, but in this context, it represents the speaker's hatred towards themselves. This use of imagery is particularly effective in emphasizing the complexity of the speaker's emotions.
Towards the end of the poem, Service uses the image of a "beast" to represent the speaker's hate. The line, "I hate the beast that prowls and growls within" (15), creates a powerful image of the speaker's hate being an uncontrollable force. This metaphor emphasizes the theme of the destructive nature of hate, as the image of a beast suggests that the speaker's hate is dangerous and uncontrollable.
Analysis of Stylistic Devices
Service's use of repetitive phrases throughout "Hate" is particularly effective in emphasizing the all-consuming nature of hate. The repetition of the phrase "I hate" throughout the poem creates a sense of overwhelming emotion, as if the speaker's hate is taking over their thoughts entirely.
The use of anaphora in the lines, "I hate the trembling of my bones, the frown / On my face, the bitter taste of tears" (12-13), is another effective stylistic device. The repetition of "I hate" at the beginning of each line creates a sense of rhythm and intensity in the poem, emphasizing the speaker's emotions.
Service's use of rhyme is another stylistic device that adds complexity to the poem. The rhyme scheme is irregular, with some stanzas having an ABAB rhyme scheme and others using different rhyming patterns. This irregularity emphasizes the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the speaker's emotions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Hate" is a powerful and complex poem that delves deep into the destructive and all-consuming nature of hate. Through vivid imagery, repetitive phrases, and irregular rhyme, Robert Service effectively conveys the speaker's overwhelming emotions. The themes of self-hate and the uncontrollable nature of hate add layers of complexity to the poem, making it a thought-provoking and emotional read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Hate: A Poem of Intense Emotion
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has written a masterpiece that delves into the depths of human emotion. The poem, titled "Hate," is a powerful and intense piece that explores the darker side of human nature. In this analysis, we will examine the poem's structure, themes, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
Structure
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of short lines and simple language makes the poem easy to read and understand, but the emotions it evokes are anything but simple.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is hate, as the title suggests. The poem explores the destructive power of hate and how it can consume a person's soul. The speaker of the poem is someone who has been consumed by hate, and he describes the intense emotions he feels towards his enemy.
The poem also touches on the theme of revenge. The speaker is consumed by the desire for revenge, and he describes how he will take pleasure in his enemy's pain. However, the poem also suggests that revenge is a hollow victory, as it does not bring true satisfaction or peace.
Literary Devices
Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. The speaker uses vivid and violent imagery to describe his feelings towards his enemy. For example, he says, "I'd like to see him writhing, / And hear his screaming cry." This imagery is disturbing and unsettling, but it effectively conveys the speaker's hatred.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I hate him" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the poem's structure.
The poem also uses metaphor to convey its message. The speaker compares his hatred to a flame, saying, "My hate is like a flame." This metaphor suggests that hate is a destructive force that can consume everything in its path.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker declaring his hatred for his enemy. He describes how he would like to see his enemy suffer and how he takes pleasure in the thought of his enemy's pain. The speaker's hatred is all-consuming, and he cannot think of anything else but his desire for revenge.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's hatred becomes more intense. He describes how he would like to see his enemy begging for mercy and how he would take pleasure in denying him that mercy. The speaker's desire for revenge is so strong that he is willing to sacrifice his own happiness to see his enemy suffer.
However, towards the end of the poem, the speaker's tone changes. He begins to question the value of his hatred and revenge. He realizes that even if he were to achieve his revenge, it would not bring him true satisfaction or peace. The speaker acknowledges that his hatred is consuming him and that he needs to let it go.
The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging that hate is a destructive force that can consume a person's soul. He realizes that he needs to let go of his hatred and move on with his life. The poem suggests that forgiveness and letting go of hate are the keys to finding true happiness and peace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Hate" is a powerful and intense exploration of the destructive power of hate. The poem's structure, themes, and literary devices all work together to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The poem suggests that hate is a destructive force that can consume a person's soul, but forgiveness and letting go of hate are the keys to finding true happiness and peace.
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