The poem
Had he and I but met By some old ancient inn, We should have set us down to wet Right many a nipperkin!
But ranged as infantry, And staring face to face, I shot at him as he at me, And killed him in his place.
I shot him dead because-- Because he was my foe, Just so: my foe of course he was; That's clear enough; although
He thought he'd 'list, perhaps, Off-hand like--just as I-- Was out of work--had sold his traps-- No other reason why.
Yes; quaint and curious war is! You shoot a fellow down You'd treat, if met where any bar is, Or help to half a crown.
analysis of the poem the man he killed by thomas hardy
The speaker in the poem is actually quite hesistanst and doubtful about the real reason why he killed the man. The speaker also states how he could he shared hospitality with man if not enlisted in the army.
This is a very great poem! The main character is very personable and human! I give Thomas Hardy three thumbs way way up!
The Man He Killed
the poem as rightly said in its criticism demolishes the belief in patriotic motives!! The soldiers are out on the front not just to protect their nation and people but also, simply, to earn their living!! But, ofcourse, at the cost of their lives, which one should not overlook. A harsh fact the poem does mirror but truly telling in its tone that after all the soldiers are also very much human!!
The poem shows that war is futile.