'Hate' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckI 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

Introduction

I am thrilled to be writing a literary criticism and interpretation on the classic poem "Hate" written by Robert Service. This poem has stood the test of time, and its relevance in today's world cannot be understated. The poem is a powerful exploration of human emotion and the destructive nature of hate.

In this literary analysis, I will delve deep into the meaning and symbolism of the poem, examining the language, structure, and historical context in which it was written. I will also explore the themes of the poem and how they relate to the human experience.

Background

Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who gained fame for his poems about life in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. "Hate" was written in 1916 at the height of World War I, a time of great turmoil and conflict in the world. The poem was published in Service's collection of war poetry, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man."

The poem is written in Service's signature style, using simple language and a straightforward narrative structure to convey powerful emotions and ideas. "Hate" is a short but intense poem that explores the destructive force of hatred and the toll it takes on the human soul.

Analysis

The poem "Hate" begins with a stark and powerful image: "Hate is a skull with a crown of thorns." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the poem, establishing the theme of death and suffering that runs throughout.

The skull is a potent symbol of death and decay, while the crown of thorns represents the suffering that comes with hatred. The image of the crown of thorns is especially powerful, evoking the biblical story of the crucifixion of Jesus, who was crowned with thorns by his executioners.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of suffering and death, describing hate as a "carrion crow" that feeds on the corpses of the dead. The image of the carrion crow is a grim one, suggesting that hate is a vulture-like creature that feeds on death and decay.

The third stanza of the poem takes a different turn, describing the object of the speaker's hate. Here, Service uses the metaphor of a "snake" to describe the person who is hated. The snake is a potent symbol of evil, representing the temptations of the devil in Christian mythology.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme of evil, describing the person who is hated as a "demon" who "whispers in [the speaker's] ear." The demon is a powerful symbol of temptation and deceit, representing the way that hate can lead us astray and cloud our judgment.

The final stanza of the poem brings the theme of death full circle, describing hate as a "knife" that cuts the speaker to the bone. This image is a powerful one, evoking the pain and suffering that comes with hatred.

Themes

The poem "Hate" explores a number of important themes related to human emotion and the human experience. One of the primary themes of the poem is the destructive nature of hate. Throughout the poem, Service describes hate as a force that feeds on death and decay, leading to suffering and pain.

Another important theme of the poem is the danger of succumbing to temptation. The snake and the demon are both powerful symbols of temptation and deceit, representing the way that hatred can lead us astray and cloud our judgment.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of suffering and death. The skull, the carrion crow, and the knife are all powerful symbols of death and decay, representing the toll that hatred takes on the human soul.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Hate" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the destructive nature of hatred and the toll it takes on the human soul. Through his use of powerful imagery and metaphors, Robert Service conveys the pain and suffering that comes with hatred, as well as the danger of succumbing to temptation.

The themes of the poem are as relevant today as they were when the poem was written over a century ago. In a world that is increasingly divided and polarized, the message of "Hate" is more important than ever: that hatred only leads to suffering and death, and that we must learn to overcome our differences and find common ground if we are to build a better world for ourselves and future generations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Hate: An Analysis of Robert Service's Classic Poem

Are you tired of the flowery language and obscure metaphors that often plague poetry? Do you find yourself rolling your eyes at the pretentiousness of it all? If so, then Robert Service's "Poetry Hate" is the poem for you.

First published in 1910, "Poetry Hate" is a satirical take on the world of poetry. Service, who was known for his humorous and accessible poetry, takes aim at the elitism and snobbery that can often be found in the literary world.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring their hatred for poetry, stating that it is "a venomous potion / I had supposed was extinct: / But they've been producing it lately, / Though nobody knows what it's inked." Right away, we can see that the speaker is not a fan of the art form. They view it as outdated and irrelevant, and are surprised that people are still producing it.

The speaker goes on to list the various types of poetry that they hate, including sonnets, odes, and ballads. They mock the language used in these forms, calling it "turgid" and "stilted." They also take issue with the subject matter of poetry, saying that it is often "about nothing at all."

But what really seems to bother the speaker is the way that poetry is written and read. They describe the poets as "pale and morbid," and the readers as "pale and morbid too." They see poetry as a kind of disease that infects those who come into contact with it.

Despite their hatred for poetry, the speaker is unable to escape it. They describe how they were once at a party where someone recited a poem, and they found themselves "listening, listening, listening, / With a strange new joy in my heart." This moment of vulnerability is quickly dismissed, however, as the speaker declares that they "hate it still."

So what is Service trying to say with this poem? On the surface, it seems like a simple satire of poetry and the people who love it. But there is more going on here than just a simple joke.

Service was writing at a time when poetry was seen as a high art form, reserved for the educated and elite. He himself was not a part of this world, having worked as a bank clerk before becoming a full-time writer. His poetry was often criticized for being too accessible and lacking in depth.

In "Poetry Hate," Service is pushing back against this criticism. He is saying that poetry doesn't have to be obscure or difficult to be meaningful. He is also poking fun at the idea that poetry is only for a certain class of people. By making the speaker of the poem a regular person who hates poetry, he is showing that anyone can enjoy and appreciate it.

At the same time, Service is also acknowledging the power of poetry. Even the speaker, who claims to hate it, is moved by a recitation at a party. This suggests that poetry has the ability to touch people on a deep level, even if they don't realize it.

Overall, "Poetry Hate" is a clever and entertaining poem that pokes fun at the world of poetry while also celebrating its power. It reminds us that poetry doesn't have to be stuffy or pretentious to be meaningful, and that anyone can find something to love in it. So the next time you find yourself rolling your eyes at a poem, remember the words of Robert Service: "I hate it still, but by Heaven's will, / I'll write a poem yet."

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