Francois Villon (Carlton)

Francois Villon was a famous French poet that is known for the work he did during the 15th century. He was born in 1431, in Paris, France. His real name was either Francois de Montcorbier or Francois Des Loges but was never figured out. He was known to be a thief and a killer spending most of his life in prison. He died in 1463. The quote at the beginning of In Cold Blood“Ferés humains quit aprés nous vivez, N’ayez les cuers contre nous endurcis, Car, se pitié de nous povres avez, Dieu en aura plus tost de vous mercis,” was from the beginning of want is known to be his most famous poem The Ballad Of The Hanged Men. It is acknowledge that he wrote the poem while he was in prison. It wasn’t published until 1489. Translated in English the poem reads “Brothers that live when we are dead, don’t set yourself against us too.  If you could pity us instead, then God may sooner pity you.” I think the reason Capote used these specific lines from this specific poem was because he wants everyone that was effected to realize that although what these two men did was wrong and that they should be punished for their bad actions and decisions that everyone should somehow forgive them for what they have done once they are put to death.