Robert Southey wrote the Battle of Blenheim in 1798 Essay Example

initial excitement and leaves him less eager to play.

This passage suggests that while Kasper initially appears proud of the battle of Blenheim, a closer examination reveals his hidden regret for the war. His statement, "And, with a natural sign," holds significant weight as it unveils his true feelings and sorrow for the war casualties. Despite portraying the finding of skulls as a common occurrence while ploughing, Kasper admits that many men lost their lives in the supposed "great victory." The mention of soldiers being "slain" implies their lack of chance in the battle. As his grandchildren inquire about the victory, Kasper reluctantly agrees to tell them about the reasons for the war and who should be held accountable for their recent discovery. He conveys that the war was not as glorious as depicted, although he continues to reassure them that it was a significant triumph. Specifically, he mentions that it was the English who defeated the French.

Kaspar acknowledges the defeat of the French, accepting that the war had no legitimate cause and recognizing it as a tragedy. He argues that war is inherently negative, while paradoxically describing it as a renowned triumph. In the subsequent stanza, he momentarily shifts the narrative away from the war and focuses on his parents who resided in Blenheim. Kaspar recollects how their house was set ablaze, compelling his family to abandon their home without any alternative destination. This recollection seems to hold significant significance in Kaspar's recollections.

Kaspar proceeds to narrate the cruel and destructive events where land is ravaged and families, homes, and livelihoods are forcibly taken away. He utters, "With fire and sword the country round, was wasted

far and wide, and many a childing mother then, and new born baby died." Despite his reluctance to bring up such distressing matters to his grandchildren, he still does so in the hope that it will dissuade them from glorifying war. While he does not wish to dampen their enthusiasm, he explains that such tragedies occur in every celebrated triumph. Kaspar then proceeds to recount the harrowing aftermath of the victorious war.

The corpses, decaying under the sun, number in the thousands. However, he emphasizes that such occurrences are commonplace after any noteworthy triumph. It seems that Kaspar is attempting to comfort himself by justifying the righteousness of war. "Much acclaim goes to the victorious Duke of Marlborough and our admirable young prince Eugene." Once again, he extols the virtues of the conflict and enumerates its merits. In response, Wilhelmine utters a profoundly meaningful statement, declaring, "Why, it was a highly malevolent act!" She appears somewhat bewildered, prompting Kaspar to reply, "No, no, my dear child, it was a renowned triumph." Here again, he endeavors to reassure himself of the war's justification.

Peterkin queries Kaspar about the outcome of the war, questioning its ultimate benefits. Despite Kaspar's attempts to elucidate the conflict, the children remain unconvinced of its righteousness. Kaspar struggles to articulate the reasons behind the war and justify the immense loss of life it entails. The inclusion of children in this poem proves impactful as they provide a framework around which the entire composition is built. They serve as catalysts for the conversation and aid Kaspar in presenting a simplified explanation of the war, which proves to be effective within the context of the

poem.

The complexity of this poem makes it difficult to interpret and raises questions about its meaning. It conveys the harsh reality of war and its aftermath. The poem describes how children are discovering the remains of soldiers who were sent to their deaths, "for many thousand bodies here, lay rotting in the sun" and "and a new born baby died." These details highlight the brutality of war. "The Drum" is the second poem by John Scott that I have analyzed.

From the very beginning of his poem, it is apparent that the author shares Southeys' aversion to war. He expresses this sentiment by stating, "I hate that drums discordant sound." When the author mentions 'drum', he is referring to the traditional drum that soldiers used in marching to war. The use of 'I hate' carries a potent force, leaving a direct impression on the reader. The author perceives the sound of the drum as lacking the impressive and appealing qualities many young individuals in the armed forces may find in it. The author further emphasizes the drum's allure to young people through the subsequent lines, "to thoughtless youth it pleasure yields, and lures from cities and from fields."

Young people, regardless of their background, often fail to consider the consequences of war when they join the army, according to Scott. Whether they come from rural areas or bustling cities, they are enticed by the army's promises of a stylish uniform and a powerful weapon. Scott further emphasizes that the persuasive voice of "Ambition" overrides rational thinking and encourages them to enlist based solely on their desire for a uniform and gun. The deliberate capitalization of "Ambition"

in the sentence draws attention to its significance and prominence in their decision-making process.

The poet clearly expresses his opposition to the war in this poem, emphasizing that there will be casualties by stating, "To march, and fight, and fall in foreign lands." The first verse highlights the significance of ambition, which represents the manipulation of young men's minds. In the following verse, John Scott reiterates his perspective, using repetition from the initial line, "I hate that drums d... Parading round and... " Nevertheless, this does not negate the fact that young individuals are deceived into joining the army.

The drum appeals to young men in the army, as it promises a pleasant uniform and a gun. These possessions create a sense of identity and duty towards their country. However, these men fail to comprehend the horrific aspects of war. In the subsequent verse, Scott vividly depicts the brutality, consequences, and devastating aftermath of war. He mentions the destruction of towns, mutilated bodies, agonizing cries of the dying, the sorrow of widows, and the cries of orphaned children.

In just a few lines, the poet captures the horror of war, emphasizing the theme of misery. He illustrates how war fills countless lives with despair and sorrow. The poem's rhythm replicates the drumbeat, with each line containing a brief description. When read aloud, one can almost hear the drum's sound. The verses are well-balanced, displaying Scott's skill in using concise language. The final two lines provide a smooth conclusion to the verse.