Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Dora Greenwell’s "Man With Three Friends" is a powerful allegory that delves into themes of guilt, responsibility, and the true nature of friendship. The poem tells the story of a man who, after unwittingly committing a grave crime, must face judgment and seeks the help of three friends, each representing different aspects of his life. Through the responses of these friends, Greenwell explores the complexities of loyalty, self-interest, and the deep, often overlooked, bonds that may prove to be the most steadfast in times of crisis.

The poem begins with a man who is awakened by a "heavy cry," informing him that he has killed someone. His immediate reaction is one of remorse, though he insists that the act was unintentional: "I hated not, in times past, / Him whom unwittingly I slew." This admission of guilt without malice sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the man grapples with the consequences of his actions. He acknowledges that while he is responsible for the death, the killing was not premeditated or driven by hatred. Greenwell introduces the idea that even unintended actions can have grave consequences, and the man must now seek grace from a Judge to avoid the ultimate punishment: death.

The allegory unfolds as the man is asked if he has any friends who can plead on his behalf before the Judge. This question sets the stage for the central theme of the poem: who among the man’s friends will stand by him in his hour of need?

The man identifies three friends. The first is someone he has loved and served "from my youth...before / Mine own soul," someone for whom he has sacrificed and striven. This friend represents the things the man has devoted his life to, likely material wealth, status, or worldly achievements, as suggested by the later mention of "cloth good store." The man admits that he has "loved him more" as time has passed, indicating that his attachment to this friend has grown with age and experience.

The second friend is one he loves "as I love my own heart well." This friend is more personal and intimate, perhaps representing the man’s relationships, emotions, or his loved ones. The affection for this friend is deep and sincere, but it lacks the same sense of devotion that the first friend commands.

The third friend is described as distant and neglected: "I cannot now call / To mind that ever loved at all / He hath been of me." This friend has not been actively cherished or served, yet the man admits that he "may be, he hath well deserved / That I should love him with the rest." This friend, while not immediately remembered or valued, may hold an important, albeit unrecognized, place in the man’s life.

When the man turns to each friend for help, their responses reveal their true nature. The first friend, who represents material wealth or worldly pursuits, offers little comfort: "See, I have gain';d of cloth good store, / So will I give thee three ells and more...to wrap thee." This friend offers only practical assistance—something to wrap the man in after death—but refuses to accompany him further. The line "I have friends many, and little room" underscores the self-serving nature of this friend, whose loyalty extends only as far as material provisions. This represents the cold reality that wealth or worldly achievements cannot accompany one into death or plead for mercy on one';s behalf.

The second friend, the one the man loves deeply and intimately, responds with more compassion: "We will go with thee to the place of doom: / There must we leave thee evermore." This friend, likely representing loved ones or close relationships, offers to accompany the man to the brink of his fate but can go no further. This reflects the limitations of human relationships; while loved ones can provide emotional support and walk alongside us through difficult times, they cannot ultimately bear the weight of judgment or face death on our behalf.

The third friend, the one the man barely remembers and has not served faithfully, proves to be the most loyal: "By thee in the Judgement Hall / I will stand and hear what the Judge decree; / And if it be death, I will die with thee." This friend, who has been overlooked and undervalued, is willing to stand by the man in his darkest hour, even to the point of sharing his fate. The friend’s immediate readiness—kneeling down to "buckle on his shoon"—demonstrates unwavering commitment. This third friend likely symbolizes the man’s spiritual life or conscience, representing the internal and often neglected part of ourselves that remains steadfast when all else fails.

Through this allegory, Greenwell highlights the transient nature of worldly attachments and the limitations of even the deepest human relationships in the face of ultimate judgment. The first friend, representing material wealth and status, offers only superficial aid. The second friend, representing human love and relationships, can provide emotional support but cannot follow the man beyond the boundary of life and death. It is the third friend—perhaps symbolizing faith, spirituality, or the man’s moral core—that is willing to stand by him through judgment and even death.

In "Man With Three Friends," Greenwell reflects on the things we invest in throughout our lives and how they serve us in moments of crisis. The poem suggests that while we may neglect the spiritual or moral aspects of our lives in favor of worldly pursuits or personal relationships, it is often our inner faith or conscience that proves to be the most reliable in the end. Through simple yet profound storytelling, Greenwell offers a meditation on loyalty, the true nature of friendship, and the importance of nurturing the parts of ourselves that endure beyond material or earthly concerns.

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