The Oxford Book of War Poetry Essay Example

significant theme in war poetry due to its association with war, as seen in works by poets like Edward Thomas. He uses nature as a catalyst and challenges the morality of himself and the soldiers. In illustrating solidarity during Eastertide with family, he employs flowers present at that time, pointing out how far from home the men are and how they will never again gather them with their sweethearts.

The use of 'never again' emphasizes the upcoming deaths of soldiers. Despite writing in a less abrupt style, Edwards still depicts the horrors of war. Sorley opts for a more blunt approach to his poetry, exemplified in his line 'when you see millions of mouthless dead', highlighting the sight of corpses on the battlefield and dissociating the living from the dead. 'For deaf, how should they know' is a powerful reminder that the dead cannot hear the mourning of those they left behind. With words like 'Mouthless' in the first line, Sorley draws attention to the inability of the deceased to communicate with the living.

Rupert Brooke displays strong patriotism and a willingness to fight for his country in 'The Soldier', where he envisions his potential death with the phrase 'If I should die'. He describes the place he falls as 'forever England'. In 'Peace', he contrasts this sentiment by questioning the lack of honour among those who do not feel compelled to fight. Brooke believes that soldiers carry a sense of duty and honour when in combat, citing God as the reason why the men are 'matched with his hour'. Despite being written prior to the war, 'The Soldier' reflects a greater sense of patriotism compared

to other works in the Anthology, highlighting Brooke's unique perspective on war.

Expressing his love for country, he displays his emotions. His intense feelings towards England are demonstrated by his belief that dying for her would "shed all evil away". Comparing this love to that of a man for a woman, he uses the pronoun "her". The use of a sonnet form, traditionally reserved for romantic poetry, further adds to the romantic nature of the poem.

The poets included in 'The Oxford Book of War Poetry' express their personal experiences, emotions, and opinions regarding war. While some intentionally focus on showcasing the terrifying realities of war to alert readers, others portray it in a romantic, patriotic light and use the imagery of nature to narrate their stories. Nevertheless, due to the nature of war, it is impossible for any of these poets to completely mask its horror.