Dulce Et Decorum Est Argumentative Essay Example

poem, or it may symbolize the time gap from the war's beginning to its end.

The opening stanza of 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' presents a startling contrast to the typical imagery associated with soldiers. Instead of being portrayed as vibrant and unstoppable in their pursuit of peace, they are described as 'old beggars under sacks' and likened to old hags. This depiction is likely to have shocked those at home who had little understanding of the true hardships endured by soldiers. Unable to articulate their experiences, these soldiers found it difficult to communicate with friends and family, resulting in their suffering remaining largely unknown.

In the first stanza, the soldiers' despair arises from their continuous presence in the war and their powerlessness to avoid their own demise. They have become immune to the sounds of exhausted and outpaced Five-Nine shells falling behind them. Resigned to their fate, they exhibit apathy towards this danger that cannot be averted. In the initial portion of Brookes' sonnet, he disparages those who have not willingly enlisted in the military, referring to them as feeble-hearted and half-men, highlighting his personal criticism towards unpatriotic British individuals.

He believes that the war brings liveliness to an otherwise dull and tired world, and those who do not join in are not deserving to identify themselves as British. The second part of the poem commemorates how the war will come to an end, whether it be by one side emerging victorious or through the soldiers' own demise. Death is depicted as both a comrade and foe to the soldiers, as nobody truly desires to die, but in death, the "smiling heart" discovers eternal tranquility, undisturbed by anything.

The

second stanza of 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' presents Owen's firsthand account of a gas raid, conveyed in the present tense to create a sense of realism for the reader to connect with. The depiction of a man dying is starkly described, evoking a disturbing reaction. The inclusion of the word "ecstasy" intentionally slows down the pace and elongates the impact of the imagery. Following this, the third stanza consists of only two lines, yet it stands apart from the rest of the poem, possibly symbolizing the soldier's profound isolation after surviving the attack but losing all companionship.

Owen shares that he continues to dream about the ordeal, indicating that his experience still haunts him even in moments of safety. In the last stanza, Owen invites readers to join him in witnessing a man's agonizing and unnecessarily prolonged death, detailing every physical aspect he witnesses. By vividly describing the blood gargling from corrupt lungs with every jolt, Owen transports readers into his imagination and memory of the event, offering an understanding of the excruciating and drawn-out suffering that accompanies such a demise.

Finally, Owen concludes by criticizing patriotic Britons who teach their children the motto "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori," claiming that it is an outdated lie used to hide the injustices of war. This ironic statement is the title of his poem. The poets have different perspectives on war, largely based on the time period in which each poem was written. Brookes, who died before fulfilling his duty to his country, held onto the romanticized notion of war being a glorious event associated with his name.

The absence of remorse for lost lives and

grievance for lost friends in his writing can be attributed to his lack of fighting experience. The poem 'Peace' is representative of pre-war literature, as it portrays war as an escape from ordinary life, an adventure where death is the ultimate consequence, without expressing any remorse or hatred towards war. Conversely, 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' takes a different approach, conveying to the reader that despite the notion that it is honorable and noble to die for one's country, death remains death regardless of the circumstances.

Furthermore, there exists a sense of shame towards those individuals who disregard the sacrifices made by others by reveling in war and eagerly anticipating Britain's involvement in a tumultuous battle for survival, which is perceived as one grand adventure. This sentiment is characteristic of post-war or wartime poetry, as it encompasses more than just emotions; it also incorporates personal experiences. This approach can be highly effective if presented in a manner that catches the reader off guard, which is precisely what occurs in 'Dulce Et Decorum Est': "Gas! GAS! Quick boys! - An ecstasy of fumbling." The sudden shift in tone and tempo has the potential to startle the reader, fulfilling Owen's objective with this poem.

Both writers, being male, focus on their expectations and experiences of war rather than the impact it has on women. Brookes expresses enthusiasm and high hopes for war, viewing it as a vibrant and thrilling escape from everyday life, similar to a young boy anticipating a holiday or adventure. In contrast, Owen takes on the role of a cynic who has firsthand experience of the battles and struggles to relay his haunting encounters to us.

His poem

'Dulce Et Decorum Est' rebukes those who trivialize war and dishonor the dead by glorifying loss of life. In conclusion, my opinion of both poems is that I can empathize with each writer's emotions regarding the anticipation of war and the exhilaration of change, as well as their experiences of fighting relentlessly and losing friends to death. Both poems are representative of their respective eras and convey messages that resonate with people. Is it really honorable to die for one's country? Only if you have witnessed the horrors of war firsthand.