Dulce Et Decorum Est Short Essay Example

to the point where it could be performed unconsciously during slumber.

The sounds of war, such as cries, gunshots, and bombs exploding, are typically heard by soldiers. After being surrounded by these sounds for weeks, the soldiers have become accustomed to them. The second stanza is livelier, with the poet describing a gas attack. The poet compares the attack to a green sea and uses similes to describe how the soldier reacted to the deadly gas. The word "ecstasy" seems out of place in this context since it typically describes extreme happiness.

In this context, the term ecstasy refers to a singular state of mind - to don gas masks as a means of survival. The poet describes the gas attack as being reminiscent of being underwater and looking through a mask, much like a diver would. He could have also referred to the effects of the gas as akin to drowning in a sea of blood. The third stanza serves to illustrate the poet's recurring nightmares about the incident, providing graphic details of how the soldier slowly succumbs to his death.

'Guttering, choking, drowning' exemplifies consonance and effectively conveys a sense of present, ongoing suffering that is akin to dying. Each word represents a different way of dying, thereby emphasizing the extent of the man's suffering who failed to secure his mask in time. Stanza four echoes a violent tone, presenting readers with the harsh reality of war and fighting, which I find quite unsettling as it prompts vivid imagery of the scenarios presented by the poet.

According to me, the poet's authenticity in experiencing the war is the worst aspect of it. The use of

the word "flung" indicates that there were excessive corpses and they were not taken care of appropriately. Additionally, it implies that soldiers died without any dignity as they struggled to wear their gas masks on time. The phrase "white eyes writhing in his face" portrays a vivid picture of the soldier's agony as his eyes still moved while dying.

'His face hung like a devil sick of sin'; this descriptive simile compares the chlorine-affected soldier's face to that of the devil, conveying the poet's disgust. The use of 'innocent' suggests the soldiers were young and forced into the war, indicating a sense of pity. Although difficult to understand at first, after re-reading, the depth of the phrases and similes became apparent. The poem's ability to evoke imagery made it enjoyable. Ironically, those who have not experienced war believe the saying 'It is sweet and glorious to die for one's country,' but to those who have, it is far from true.

It's odd that the soldiers in this poem are portrayed as weak, tired, and decrepit instead of the typical strong, proud, heroic, loyal, and brave stereotype we're used to.