Comparing Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen Essay Example

poets known for their poems about various aspects of the First World War. Despite having contrasting views on the war, both poets gained recognition for their works. Owen's poem, Dulce et Decorum Est, effectively depicts the horrors of war and challenges the notion that dying for one's country is honorable and glorious. Owen begins by vividly portraying a group of men as they return to the trenches after being on the Front Line.

He portrays the men as tired, unhappy, injured, oblivious to their surroundings and their own looks. In the next stanza, they are assaulted with a poisonous gas bomb. Owen depicts one of the men dying in a horrifying manner from the gas, and in the third stanza, he provides further description of the man and discusses the psychological impact of the entire ordeal. The poem consists of three stanzas, each showcasing various writing techniques and exploring different facets of warfare. The stanzas seamlessly blend together in a smooth and effortless manner.

For instance, the initial stanza's tranquility is unexpectedly disrupted by an exclamation that commences the subsequent stanza. This establishes a sense of continuity in the narrative being conveyed. Furthermore, the second stanza seamlessly transitions into the third through the rhyme between the concluding lines of the second stanza and the opening lines of the third stanza, as well as the repetition of the word 'drowning' in both stanzas. The poem adheres to an ABAB CDCD rhyme scheme throughout, with these rhyming couplets facilitating a smoother flow, highlighting the intended message, and leaving a lasting impression on readers, ultimately enhancing the overall impact and meaning of the poem.

Owen uses altering the rhythm of the

stanzas to help describe different aspects of war. The first stanza has a slow halting rhythm that depicts misery, pain, eeriness, and monotony. Owen achieves this by transforming the story into a list, using short sentences to plainly state what is happening. He also uses words like 'sludge', 'haunting', 'distant rest', 'trudge', 'asleep', 'blind', and 'drunk with fatigue' to create a lazy feeling.

Owen reinforces the message of the poem by using pronouns such as 'we' and 'our', which helps readers feel confident in the truth of the story. In this way, the initial horrors of war are depicted through the monotonous, wretched lives that the men endure. The stanza ends sluggishly with the trailing words, 'dropped behind'.

In the second stanza, the slow and steady movement of time is abruptly interrupted and the rhythm accelerates with the forceful exclamation, 'Gas! GAS! Quick boys!' These words represent direct speech, which awakens the reader from the tranquil and relaxed depiction in the first stanza and forces them to adapt to the sudden intense activity. It appears as if time itself transforms from being sluggish and tired to becoming activated and vigilant, much like one of the men. Despite being communicated by the persona as a message of caution to the soldiers, the exclamation seems to originate from one of the soldiers themselves, emphasizing the reality of these events to the reader.

The use of the word 'GAS!' in uppercase letters has a striking visual impact on the page and enhances the reader's awareness. This fast pace is maintained throughout the stanza through the use of energetic words, exclamation marks, and a dash to convey movement and flexibility.

Additionally, longer sentences are juxtaposed with shorter ones to emphasize the disorder and chaos. Words such as 'quick', 'ecstasy', 'fumbling', 'just in time', 'yelling', 'stumbling', 'floundering', etc. contribute to the overall depiction of a frantic rush.

The text suggests that time behaves like a person, alternating between being sulky and tired, and suddenly becoming alert and active. In the same stanza, the rhythm slows down with an ellipse at the end of the twelfth line, creating an eerie realization. Owen also uses strong words such as 'misty', 'thick', and 'drowning', as well as the tranquil image of being 'under a green sea', to emphasize calmness and despair once again. Unlike the traditional English portrayal of an honorable death, Owen presents the man who failed to put on his gas mask in time as just another soldier, a mere 'someone'.

He was not extraordinary in that he perished for his nation; he did not perish from confronting the malevolent adversary in close combat or by rescuing his comrades' lives. Instead, he perished because he was too sluggish in wearing a gas mask. He succumbed to a gas canister launched by an enemy he likely never laid eyes on. He was just one of numerous thousands who had sacrificed their lives for their country. Furthermore, in the third stanza, Owens depicts how the dying men were "flung" onto a cart and forcibly brought home, which contrasts with the glorified portrayal of death and sacrifice.

In no way was he treated like a hero, as indicated by the 'old Lie', there was no nobility in the way they treated him. The third stanza lacks both rhythm and chronology, unlike the

first and second stanzas. Owen uses the present tense for this stanza, highlighting the timeless nature of dreams, emotions, ideas, and death. It feels as if one is submerged under the tranquil and calm green sea, just like Owen compares to his friend being engulfed by the mist of gas in the last line of the second stanza. The reader is suddenly given insight into Owen's mind, creating a personal connection.

In this stanza, Owen discusses the emotional impact of the described experience on him. He emphasizes that the terrifying images he witnessed continue to haunt his dreams. By directly addressing the reader using personal pronouns like 'you', 'me', and 'my', and using intimate statements like 'my friend', Owen aims to engage the reader's thoughts on a more personal level. His intention is to shift their focus from lofty concepts of honor and glory to contemplating humanity.

Owen indicates through his dreams that even those who survived the gas attacks and bombings endured the agony of knowing about the atrocious events that took place during the war. The young man's image will always remain deeply ingrained in Owen's memory. He concludes the poem by using his own personal experiences described in the poem to reach the final realization that war is neither noble nor glorious; instead, it is a senseless and dreadful waste of countless lives. The poem ends with the last words, 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori', which were originally spoken by Horace.

Owen utilizes the line 'It is sweet and glorious to die for one's country' throughout the poem to highlight its prevalence as an ideology employed by leaders during times of war to

inspire and prepare troops for battle. Owen's intention is to refute this notion, asserting that if one does choose to fight, it should not be for the honor of their country. The poem's language is straightforward yet evocative, arousing emotions in the reader and conveying its significance to people from all walks of life, bypassing the social divisions of class and education present at that time period.

The message in Owen's poem reaches a wide audience and is easily understood due to its directness and simple sentence structures. This effectively emphasizes the points and messages that Owen intends to make, leaving a stronger impact on the reader. Additionally, the poem portrays the soldiers' innocence and lack of experience in the brutal reality of war. Owen employs vivid imagery and various figurative language techniques, such as metaphor, simile, personification, and connotation, to help the reader visualize the described situation.

The text highlights how the anti-war theme and the grim realities of war can be understood by those unfamiliar with poetry and lacking education. This was particularly important in British society at the time, where war was often seen as a way to showcase national unity and pride. By using vivid imagery, the poem effectively challenges the idea that war is a glorious and purposeful endeavor.

The text focuses on two powerful images that vividly depict the suffering of a lone soldier who fails to fasten his mask in time and is affected by deadly gas. The descriptions evoke a sense of helplessness and horror as the soldier is depicted as plunging, guttering, choking, and drowning. The reader is then invited to imagine being behind the wagon where the soldier's

body is thrown, observing his white eyes writhing in pain and his face contorted like a sick devil. Furthermore, the text describes the disturbing sound of blood gargling from the soldier's froth-corrupted lungs, comparably vile as cancer and bitter as cud. These images aim to discourage any consideration of war by instilling fear and emotional distress in the reader. By directly addressing the reader with the phrase "If you could hear," Owen compels them to imagine themselves in this horrific scenario, conjuring up the associated emotions that someone witnessing such an event would feel—-perhaps even like Owen himself.

The poet employs descriptive language and onomatopoeia to create a vivid image and evoke dark emotions in the reader. In the second and eighth lines of the stanza, he uses the words 'guttering' and 'gargling' to mimic sounds. The striking similes, such as 'obscene as cancer, bitter as cud,' elicit a repulsive response to the idea of participating in a battle. The concept of cancer symbolizes the ultimate consequences or the ultimate end of war.

Owen suggests that men who are sent to fight are being sent to their death; something as inevitable as death from cancer. The slow and painful death associated with cancer is likened to dying on the battlefield where those who aren't killed instantly are left to suffer horribly and bitterly, like the gassed soldier. Owen characterises the gruesome and drawn out death caused by the gas attacks, describing the blood coming gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs.

Despite his continual and steadfast contravertion of traditional English views, Owen comes to agree on one point where he writes about vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues. He

shows the dead man as an innocent sufferer who did nothing to start the war but fought in it because that was what he had to do. The statement could also signify that the men watching their dying comrade will have incurable sores on their innocent tongues forever, indicating that they will never be without pain when recounting or remembering what they witnessed during the war.

The English also believed this and it fueled their passion as the war progressed, as Churchill once described it as "a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime." Owen employs metaphor throughout the poem, such as in the fifth line of the first stanza where he describes the soldiers marching while asleep and being drunk with fatigue. These metaphors aim to depict the true nature of war and its horrifying reality.

Owen emphasizes the importance of conveying the soldiers' exhaustion by stating that simply describing them as tired would not accurately depict the intensity of their physical and emotional fatigue. By associating this challenging concept with a familiar idea, readers can better grasp the devastating realities of war. Owen's use of personification in the poem's conclusion, specifically mentioning the 'old Lie', further enhances its impact.

According to the text, the capitalization of the word 'lie' signifies the significant role it plays in people's lives and the immense evil and horror it brings to the world. This personification of the 'old Lie' suggests that it is deceitful and influential. Wilfred Owen's poem, Dulce et Decorum Est, presents a strong criticism of the idea that war is a noble and honorable death for one's country. Through the

use of vivid imagery and poetic devices, Owen effectively elicits a profound anti-war sentiment in readers, encouraging them to take action and put an end to ongoing violence.

Owen's powerful use of imagery and simple language aims to make his poem accessible to a wide audience, in order to influence and reach as many people as possible. Through his masterful writing, Owen skillfully exposes and criticizes the power of ideology, while presenting war as the abhorrent thing it truly is. In stark contrast, Rupert Brooke's poem, The Soldier, takes a highly patriotic approach and promotes the traditional English notion that it is honorable and splendid to sacrifice oneself for their country.

In The Soldier, Brooke unifies the ideas of spiritual purification, enduring memories of the deceased, and the lasting impact of a hero's legacy. These themes are interconnected within the wider context of English heritage and personal devotion to it. This sonnet consists of 14 lines in iambic pentameter. The first stanza, an octave, adheres to the traditional Shakespearean/Elizabethan rhyme scheme of abab cdcd. The second stanza, a sestet, follows the conventional Petrarchan/Italian rhyme scheme of efg efg. Brooke urges the reader to envision the serenity experienced by a fallen soldier.

The poem encapsulates the sentiment of the early months of World War I, expressing Rupert Brooke's willingness to sacrifice his life for his country. However, he remains unaware of the harsh reality of conditions on the Western Front, including exposure, mud, the constant threat of snipers and artillery fire, as well as the regular loss of comrades. In contrast to "Dulce et Decorum Est," "The Soldier" lacks a specific timeline or rhythm. Instead, it focuses solely on

ideas, ideals, beliefs, and hopes, much like "Dulce et Decorum Est" is based on actual events and experiences. The poem is presented as if it were Brooke's own epitaph, hence establishing it as one of his most renowned and beloved works.

"The Soldier" and "Dulce et Decorum Est" portray contrasting perspectives on war. While the latter depicts the horrific reality, the former evokes a serene and blissful feeling. Brooke opens his poem with a direct and simple statement, reminiscent of an innocent child contemplating a possibility. He introduces the poem with the earnest line, "If I should die, think only this of me..." The use of "if" signifies Brooke's belief that he will not perish in war.

Brooke downplays the likelihood of death in war, attempting to convince the reader that those who fight will not die but instead fight for a noble cause. The use of 'if' diminishes the importance of the serious opening statement, giving the impression that it will never happen. Despite its innocence, the introductory statement creates a solemn and contemplative tone, which Brooke intends to maintain throughout the poem. The opening stanza is filled with poignant and delicate descriptions of England's remarkable beauty.

According to Brooke's writings, if he were to die, the spot where he falls would be filled with the heavenly essence of England. Unlike Owen, Brooke portrays any fallen soldier who died for England as someone exceptional, rather than just another anonymous individual. He conveys the concept that every deceased man carries a piece of England and implies that if an Englishman dies on foreign soil, that particular location becomes forever England. This may also serve as a political allusion

to the support England would receive in expanding its territory if soldiers sacrifice their lives for their country.

The text highlights the appeal and affirmation that references to England and its immortal nature would have for any Englishman. It also emphasizes the notion of England as a land of natural beauty and controlled wilderness, creating an image of an ideal country, or Utopia. The use of words like 'the English air', 'sun', 'rivers', 'flowers', and 'love' contributes to this depiction. The second stanza delves into more philosophical and psychological concepts, expressing how a fallen soldier's heart, devoid of all evil, becomes a pulsating presence in the eternal mind. This presence returns the thoughts, sights, sounds, dreams, laughter, and gentle traits bestowed by England. It conveys a sense of peace and tranquility under the protective embrace of an English heaven. In discussing the purity of a fallen soldier's soul, the text indirectly implies the inherent purity of England. The mention of his pure English heart being "a pulse in the eternal mind, no less" poignantly evokes feelings of humility, while also drawing attention to England's nurturing love even after death.

The text suggests that the speaker perceives himself as a small mortal part of England's vast eternity, with the other fallen soldiers representing additional elements that maintain England's beauty, like pulses. Each soldier contributes back the beautiful experiences they received from England, such as sights, sounds, dreams, laughter, and gentleness. They exist peacefully within the eternal mind of England, pulsating in harmony. When a soldier falls, they join the collective beat and further enhance England's greatness and value, finding peace within themselves while resting "under an English heaven."

Brooke gives human qualities to his country.

England is personified as a caring mother, referred to as 'she' or 'her'. This personification portrays England as a living land and describes it as an 'eternal mind'. When the writer compares himself to dust whom England bore, shaped, and made aware, it draws parallels to the creation of Adam by God. The writer also likens England to heaven, providing Adam with love for its flowers and freedom to roam its ways. Therefore, Brooke unifies England with both God and heaven in his writing.

In this text, Brooke employs similes and metaphors to enhance the sense of peaceful tranquility, which may have been criticized as a pagan perspective but was gratifying to the proud English spirit. For instance, Brooke utilizes phrases such as 'dreams happy as her day' and 'eternal mind', which contribute to the poem's blissful and dreamlike ambiance. Unlike Owen's motives, Brooke uses figurative language primarily to emphasize the reader's comprehension and heightened awareness of the atrocities of war. Furthermore, the poem's diction is notably simple, even simpler than that of Dulce et Decorum Est.

The reason for the straightforward language in this poem differs from that in Dulce et Decorum Est. Owen employs plain words to effectively communicate his message to all social classes, emphasize each point made, and create vivid imagery. In contrast, Brooke uses simple sentences and innocent words to evoke a tender and delicate sentiment in the poem. This effectively conveys a deep love for England. Brooke enhances the sense of simplicity and honesty by using a sonnet to express his viewpoint.

Sonnets are straightforward and consistently symmetrical, contributing to their childlike simplicity. The Soldier, a

poem filled with noble sentiments, reflects Brooke's intentions, narrow-mindedness, and pride. However, it fails to acknowledge the horrors of war, unlike Dulce et Decorum Est, which portrays the true reality of war. Brooke avoids mentioning the specific circumstances surrounding the soldier's death and fails to recognize the value of human life and emotions. Instead, his focus remains solely on England and its glory.