Dulce Et Decorum Est
- Submitted by: rohanarsn
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- Category: English: Poetic Works
- Date Submitted: 02/08/2010 05:45 AM
- Pages: 6
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Question- how does the writer portray the truth on war/its horrors and persuade the readers to think that dying for the country is not glorious?
‘Dulce et decorum Est’ is a poem written by Wilfred Owen describing his experiences of World War One. The poem is titled ‘Dulce et decorum est’ means how sweet and fitting it is to die for one’s country though the poem talks about something very opposite thus mocking the statement and making it a sarcastic comment focused on those who encourage war and proclaim it as being glorious. ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ reveals the truth behind war, the grief and suffering it causes.The author with the use of graphic imagery and diction tries to convey the horrors of war
Owen’s choice of diction is used to great effect. When he uses a simile in the first line “like old beggars under sacks”. Soldiers are supposed to be fit men and a comparison with old beggars indicates that they have been brought down to such a level that they are now equal of hunched, tired, unfed, homeless and old people. Even their uniforms have lost their militaristic crispness, as Owen describes them as "sacks." This picture is a definite contrast to the idealized marching formations of troops shown in the war poster where men in crisp uniforms walked in a merry mood. Owen again shows the tiredness of the soldiers in the last line of that stanza when he say” Of gas shells dropping softly behind” which is very contrasting from how actual gas shells dropped. They make a loud hissing noise and can be heard from far. Thus Owen shows that the soldiers senses had dulled. Only a completely exhausted soldier with no strength could be in this state of mind to not have heard the gas shells in a battle field where the soldiers need to be alert of everything going around them. When Owen mentions the “haunting flares” he seems to be telling the readers that the soldiers could see their own deaths and that as if they knew their was near. This is a very horrifying...
‘Dulce et decorum Est’ is a poem written by Wilfred Owen describing his experiences of World War One. The poem is titled ‘Dulce et decorum est’ means how sweet and fitting it is to die for one’s country though the poem talks about something very opposite thus mocking the statement and making it a sarcastic comment focused on those who encourage war and proclaim it as being glorious. ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ reveals the truth behind war, the grief and suffering it causes.The author with the use of graphic imagery and diction tries to convey the horrors of war
Owen’s choice of diction is used to great effect. When he uses a simile in the first line “like old beggars under sacks”. Soldiers are supposed to be fit men and a comparison with old beggars indicates that they have been brought down to such a level that they are now equal of hunched, tired, unfed, homeless and old people. Even their uniforms have lost their militaristic crispness, as Owen describes them as "sacks." This picture is a definite contrast to the idealized marching formations of troops shown in the war poster where men in crisp uniforms walked in a merry mood. Owen again shows the tiredness of the soldiers in the last line of that stanza when he say” Of gas shells dropping softly behind” which is very contrasting from how actual gas shells dropped. They make a loud hissing noise and can be heard from far. Thus Owen shows that the soldiers senses had dulled. Only a completely exhausted soldier with no strength could be in this state of mind to not have heard the gas shells in a battle field where the soldiers need to be alert of everything going around them. When Owen mentions the “haunting flares” he seems to be telling the readers that the soldiers could see their own deaths and that as if they knew their was near. This is a very horrifying...