Throughout history, changes in public understanding and technology have impacted attitudes towards war. In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Shakespeare's Othello and Henry V portrayed war differently than poets during World War I. Given the differences in warfare across these periods, it is not surprising that attitudes have evolved over time.
The portrayal of war in Shakespearian extracts and poems differs due to their respective approaches. Othello's speech in Act 3 Scene 3 of the play Othello praises war in a dramatic manner, as he feels more comfortable in a wartime setting than in society. This takes place after he learns of his wife's infidelity, leading him to believe that all happiness is lost. As the greatest soldier around, he becomes disillusioned with life and war. The speech features vivid descriptions and language that depicts the so
...unds of war.
Shakespeare's portrayal of war as significant and thrilling, with "big wars" and a "shrill trump," differs from the perspective presented in Wilfred Owen's poem "Futility," which implies that war is pointless even from its title. Othello's speech, on the other hand, glorifies war and describes how it has given his life meaning. The language used in the speech conveys the idea of war as heroic and glorious, contributing to a lively depiction of war.
Referring to the soldiers marching, the phrase "the plumed troop" implies farewell to various sounds of war such as the neighing steed and shrill trump, the spirit-stirring drum, and the ear-piercing fife. These lines vividly depict the atmosphere of war in archaic language throughout the speech. John McCrae wrote the poem "Flanders Fields" during the First World War after losing a dear
friend, which influenced his writing.
The poem contains both heroic ideals of dying for a cause and the harsh realities of war. Its depiction and honest portrayal brings the experience of war to life, particularly in Flanders Fields. The verse "We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders Fields" highlights the soldiers' uncertainty and constant proximity to death during war. The simple language, including the phrase "between the crosses, row on row," is nevertheless incredibly impactful.
The speech delivered in the last verse of archaic Jade Bisram language is reminiscent of Othello's use of words such as "foe" and "ye." This speech, like Othello's, glorifies war. It was intended for the stage, thus it is dramatic. In the play, it is used to motivate troops. The speech conveys the idea that it is better to die gloriously than to let the enemy win, "close up the wall with our English dead!" It also suggests that being gentle is virtuous in times of peace, "In peace there's nothing so becomes a man/ As modest stillness and humility." During times of war, men are encouraged to be fierce, "then imitate the action of the tiger." Comparing men to animals makes them appear more savage and untamable.
In this passage, the eye is likened to a brass cannon, with the forehead taking on the appearance of a galled rock. These vivid images depict the power and strength required in times of war. Despite its glorification of war, the text does not ignore its harsh realities, highlighting the wasteful loss of life. Reference is also made to ancient
Greek heroes to reinforce the idea of victory. Ultimately, men are encouraged to fight and not shame their mothers - a form of emotional manipulation some may consider to be blackmail.
In the line "I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips," a simile comparing soldiers to eager greyhounds is used to demonstrate the soldiers' enthusiasm for war. This sense of duty and patriotism is recurrent throughout the speech, particularly with the line "whose limbs were made in England." Similar ideas were popularized in First World War propaganda, such as Lord Kitchener's famous poster saying "Your country needs you." The speech masterfully stirs up the troops for war. The poem "Futility" by Wilfred Owen argues the futility and purposelessness of warfare.
Owen's poem "Futility" uses half rhyme to convey his message about the senselessness of war and life. The line "Until this morning and this snow" adds to the unsettling tone. Throughout the poem, the poet expresses anger at war atrocities and compassion for young soldiers as its victims. He questions the purpose of life when violence becomes a means of existence. In contrast to works like Henry V and Othello that glorify war, "Futility" condemns it instead. The poem is a passionate outcry filled with mourning for the horrors of war.
By 1914, opinions on war had shifted significantly, as people realized that the impending conflict would be more brutal than any previous wars. Despite this knowledge, many men eagerly enlisted to fight for their country. However, the realities of modern warfare quickly changed their attitudes; soldiers who initially supported the war were often disillusioned after witnessing its horrors firsthand. In comparison to earlier
times when war was glorified and less deadly, the advanced technology used in World War I resulted in a shocking number of fatalities.
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