Behold, the Grave of a Wicked Man

Behold, the Grave of a Wicked Man - meaning Summary

Justice Versus Human Compassion

The poem presents a brief scene at the grave of a wicked man where a stern spirit forbids a grieving woman from laying flowers. The maid protests that she loved him, and her tears cast doubt on the spirit’s absolute denial. The final question challenges a rigid, impersonal notion of justice by suggesting human feeling complicates moral judgments, asking whether strict condemnation can account for personal attachment and sorrow.