poetry texts, poem archive at plagiarist.com

half-a-crown implies lending a sum of money

Just to confirm a few things; Half a crown was a sum of money. Hardy refers to buying the man a drink for the sum of half a crown. Nipperkin is indeed a tot or nip of alcohol.Traps are belongings, personal effects.
Don't agree for a second that Hardy would have written a poem about the American war of Independence - sorry. For a start, he mentions sharing a drink at an ancient inn. Not many of those around in the US - especially not in the 18th century.
More likely to be the First World War - Hardy wrote several poems on this topic. If not, then the English Civil War, perhaps?
This is a thoughtful poem about a soldier doing his job. He shoots the man because he is his enemy, not because he feels any personal animosity towards him.
Afterwards, he reflects on it with curiosity rather than guilt. Perhaps under different circumstances, he and this man could have shared a drink and a chat and had things in common with one another.

Since the poem was written in 1902, we can forget about World Wars of any kind. What on earth, other than blind egocentricity, makes anyone think that the great Dorset poet would have been writing about the American Revolutionary War? If you must attach it to a war, the Boer War, about which Hardy wrote several poems, is rather more likely, but of course, it's a poem about war, not a war.

actually, to be 100% correct about which war he is referencing, it is the Boer War, which began in 1899 when the british declared war on the South African Republic. Hardy was appaled by the boer war from its outset, considering it nothing more than a war of imperial conquest. he was dismayed by both human and animal suffering

this poem was written in 1902, in conclusion of the Boer War or the the South Affrican War. The war was for Brittish gaining possesion in Africa. Very unpopular war at the time. Thomas Hardy seems to be against the war in this poem.

Actually a "half a crown" is equal to 20 or 30 dollars...Just wanted to clear that up.....Got it out of the definition in my english book for college in case you're wondering.

This poem really shows me how war takes over the minds of people.

I think the poem is very meaningful especially at these times(London bombings, war in Iraq and september 11. The poem talks about how fate can bring people together in different ways(bad and good). As nearly every1 has said it does emphasize that war is not the answer and when you are desperate you will do anything to make sure you survive. This poem goes deeper than war and the points it has made through its poetic words are essential to a happier world.( i am only 15 and this is my first time so dont laugh if my interpretations are wrong... thank you)

I agree with the previous poster, the poem is about the subject of war, rather than a war in particular. The poem was most likely inspired by the Boer War, but the poem does not reference it as such.

i think hardy is trying to portray that if the men had met under any other circumstance that they might be friends. Although in my opinion this seems a little far fetched i agree with hardy i think he is also trying to say that the two men are fighting a battle taht isnt theirs to fight. I also want to add that it doesnt really matter what anyones personal opinion is this site is supposed to be about the poem not a game of i know more than you do thanks good night and good luck