dulce et decorum est techniques essay

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Dulce et Decorum Est Summary & Analysis by Wilfred Owen

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

"Dulce et Decorum Est" is a poem by the English poet Wilfred Owen. Like most of Owen's work, it was written between August 1917 and September 1918, while he was fighting in World War 1. Owen is known for his wrenching descriptions of suffering in war. In "Dulce et Decorum Est," he illustrates the brutal everyday struggle of a company of soldiers, focuses on the story of one soldier's agonizing death, and discusses the trauma that this event left behind. He uses a quotation from the Roman poet Horace to highlight the difference between the glorious image of war (spread by those not actually fighting in it) and war's horrifying reality.

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The Full Text of “Dulce et Decorum Est”

1 Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,

2 Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,

3 Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs,

4 And towards our distant rest began to trudge.

5 Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,

6 But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;

7 Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots

8 Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

9 Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling

10 Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,

11 But someone still was yelling out and stumbling

12 And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.—

13 Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,

14 As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

15 In all my dreams before my helpless sight,

16 He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

17 If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace

18 Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

19 And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,

20 His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;

21 If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood

22 Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,

23 Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

24 Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—

25 My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

26 To children ardent for some desperate glory,

27 The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est

28 Pro patria mori .

“Dulce et Decorum Est” Summary

“dulce et decorum est” themes.

The Horror and Trauma of War

• See where this theme is active in the poem.

The Enduring Myth that War is Glorious

Line-by-line explanation & analysis of “dulce et decorum est”.

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge.

Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time,

Lines 11-14

But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

Lines 15-16

In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

Lines 17-20

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;

Lines 21-24

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—

Lines 25-28

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori .

“Dulce et Decorum Est” Symbols

The Dying Soldier

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“Dulce et Decorum Est” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

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“Dulce et Decorum Est” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Knock-kneed
• Haunting flares
• Flound'ring
• Froth-corrupted
• See where this vocabulary word appears in the poem.

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Dulce et Decorum Est”

Rhyme scheme, “dulce et decorum est” speaker, “dulce et decorum est” setting, literary and historical context of “dulce et decorum est”, more “dulce et decorum est” resources, external resources.

Biography of Wilfred Owen — A detailed biographical sketch of Wilfred Owen's life, including analysis of his work.

An Overview of Chemical Warfare — A concise historical account of the development of chemical weapons, with detailed descriptions of the poison gases used in WWI.

Listen to "Dulce et Decorum Est" — A recording of "Dulce et Decorum Est," provided by the Poetry Foundation.

Representing the Great War — The Norton Anthology's overview of literary representation of World War I, with accompanying texts. This includes two of Jessie Pope's patriotic poems, as well as poems by Siegfried Sassoon and others and various contemporary illustrations. It also suggests many additional resources for exploration.

Horace, Ode 3.2 — One translation of the Horace ode that the lines "Dulce et Decorum Est" originally appear in. 

Digital Archive of Owen's Life and Work — An archive of scanned documents from Owen's life and work, including his letters, as well as several handwritten drafts of "Dulce et Decorum Est" and other poems.

The White Feather — A brief personal essay about the treatment of conscientious objectors in WWI-era Britain.

LitCharts on Other Poems by Wilfred Owen

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Dulce et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend , you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.

Summary of Dulce et Decorum Est

Analysis of the literary devices used in “dulce et decorum est”, analysis of poetic devices in “dulce et decorum est”.

Quotes to be Used

“Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge.”

“Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.”

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Dulce et Decorum Est

By Wilfred Owen

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ by Wilfred Owen is a poignant anti-war poem that exposes the harsh reality of World War I.

Wilfred Owen

Nationality: English

He has been immortalized in several books and movies.

Key Poem Information

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Central Message: The war, in truth, is always gruesome and horrifying and should not be celebrated

Themes: Death , War

Speaker: A Soldier

Emotions Evoked: Anger , Pain , Sadness , Terror

Poetic Form: Sonnet

Time Period: 20th Century

'Dulce et Decorum Est' by Wilfred Owen, challenging romantic notions of war, is a robust anti-war poem that makes the reader face the petrifying harrowing truths of war with graphic imagery and blood-curdling nuances.

Poem Analyzed by Elise Dalli

B.A. Honors Degree in English and Communications

The year was 1917, just before the Third Battle of Ypres. Germany, in their bid to crush the British army, introduced yet another vicious and potentially lethal weapon of attack: mustard gas, differentiated from the other shells by their distinctive yellow markings. Although not the effective killing machine of chlorine gas (first used in 1915) and phosgene (invented by French chemists), mustard gas has stayed within the public consciousness as the most horrific weapon of the First World War. Once deployed, mustard gas lingers for several days, and anyone who comes in contact with mustard gas develops blisters and acute vomiting. It caused internal and external bleeding, and the lethally injured took as long as five weeks to die.

Shell shock, which can be defined as a type of post-traumatic stress disorder, was a term invented during the First World War as the soldiers suffered an immense impact on their psyche, witnessing the atrocities of war and the deaths of thousands.   Wilfred Owen served in the British Army during the First World War and initially believed in the glorified ideals of the war; however, as he witnessed the calamities of the war, he realized the bitter truth, going into a psychological shock.     He suffered injuries after he was caught in a blast and was unconscious for several days. Afterwards, he was admitted into Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh for treatment of shell shock. He wrote this poem bearing the physical and emotional trauma of soldiers while staying at the Craiglockhart War Hospital in October 1917.

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Explore Dulce et Decorum Est

• 2 Analysis, Stanza by Stanza
• 3 Historical Background

There was no draft in the First World War for British soldiers; it was an entirely voluntary occupation, but the British needed soldiers to fight in the war. Therefore, through a well-tuned propaganda machine of posters and poems, the British war supporters pushed young and easily influenced youths into signing up to fight for the glory of England.

Several poets, among them Rupert Brook, who wrote the poem ‘ The Soldier ‘  (there is a corner of a foreign field/ that is forever England), used to write poetry to encourage the youth to sign up for the army, often without having any experience themselves! It was a practice that Wilfred Owen personally despised, and in ‘Dulce et Decorum Est ,’ he calls out these false poets and journalists who glorify war.

The poem takes place during a slow trudge to an unknown place, which is interrupted by a gas attack. The soldiers hurry to put on their masks; only one of their numbers is too slow and gets consumed by the gas. The final stanza interlocks a personal address to war journalist Jessie Pope with horrifying imagery of what happened to those who ingested an excessive amount of mustard gas.

The Poem Analysis Take

Expert Insights by Jyoti Chopra

B.A. (Honors) and M.A. in English Literature

Painting a nuanced picture of the horrors of the Great War or the nightmarish calamity and dehumanization of soldiers, the poem critiques the glorification of war and hero-worship of soldiers, testing the misleading notions of patriotism that are relevant even today. The poem unflinchingly calls the false idealization 'it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country' a lie stressing the truth that war is always gruesome and soldiers are the worst sufferers of the calamity. It looks critically at the society and larger politics that push young soldiers into dehumanizing cruel deaths under the guise of hero-worship.  

Analysis, Stanza by Stanza

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

British soldiers would trudge from trench to trench, seeping further into France in pursuit of German soldiers. It was often a miserable, wet walk, and it is on one of these voyages that the poem opens. Immediately, it minimizes the war to a few paltry, exhausted soldiers, although it rages in the background (’till on the haunting flares we turned our backs / and towards our distant rest began to trudge’). Owen uses heavy words to describe their movement – words like ‘trudge’, and ‘limped’; the first stanza of the poem is a demonstration of pure exhaustion and mind-numbing misery.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime… Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

The second stanza changes the pace rapidly. It opens with an exclamation – ‘Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!’ – and suddenly, the soldiers are in ‘an ecstasy of fumbling’, groping for their helmets to prevent the gas from taking them over. Again, Owen uses language economically here: he uses words that express speed, hurry, and almost frantic demand for their helmets. However, one soldier does not manage to fit his helmet on in time. Owen sees him ‘flound’ring like a man in fire or lime’ through the thick-glassed pane of his gas mask.

Stanza Three

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

For a brief two lines, Owen pulls back from the events happening throughout the poems to revisit his own psyche. He writes, ‘In all my dreams,/ before my helpless sight’, showing how these images live on with the soldiers, how these men are tortured by the events of war even after they have been removed from war. There is no evading or escaping war.

Stanza Four

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie:  Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori .

In the last paragraph, Owen condenses the poem to an almost claustrophobic pace: ‘if in some smothering dreams, you too could pace’, and he goes into a very graphic, horrific description of the suffering that victims of mustard gas endured: ‘froth-corrupted lungs,” incurable sores,’ ‘the white eyes writhing in his face’. Although the pace of the poem has slowed to a crawl, there is much happening in the description of the torment of the mustard gas victim, allowing for a contrast between the stillness of the background and the animation of the mustard gas victim. This contrast highlights the description, making it far more grotesque .

Owen finishes the poem with a personal address to Jessie Pope: ‘My friend, you would not tell with such high zest/ To children ardent for some desperate glory, / The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est / Pro patria mori.’ Jessie Pope was a journalist who published, among others, books such as Jessie Pope’s War Poems and Simple Rhymes for Stirring Times. The Latin phrase is from Horace and means, ‘it is sweet and right to die for your country’.

The earliest dated record of this poem is 8. October 1917. It was written in the ballad form of poetry – a very flowing, romantic poetical style , and by using it outside of convention, Owen accentuates the disturbing cadence of the narrative. It is a visceral poem, relying very strongly on the senses, and while it starts out embedded in the horror and in the narrative, by the final stanza, it has pulled back to give a fuller view of the events, thus fully showing the horror of the mustard gas attack.

Historical Background

While at Craiglockhart, Owen became the editor of the hospital magazine The Hydra. Through it, he met the poet Siegfried Sassoon (read Sassoon’s poetry here ), who later became his editor and one of the most important impacts on his life and work. Owen wrote a number of his poems in Craiglockhart with Sassoon’s advice.

After his death in 1918, aged 25, Sassoon would compile Owen’s poems and publish them in a compilation in 1920.

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20th century, world war one (wwi).

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It was a volunteer army until 1916, when conscription was introduced.

Interesting. I had no idea conscription was so recent. Great subject knowledge. Thank you.

Pretty gruesome but it was telling the truth.

Oh definitely – cold reality was the hallmark of his later poetry.

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Dalli, Elise. "Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/wilfred-owen/dulce-et-decorum-est/ . Accessed 18 August 2024.

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A Short Analysis of Wilfred Owen’s ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’

By Dr Oliver Tearle

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ or, to give the phrase in full: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori , Latin for ‘it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country’ ( patria is where we get our word ‘patriotic’ from). The phrase originated in the Roman poet Horace, but in ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’, Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) famously rejects this idea.

For Owen, who had experienced the horrors of trench warfare and a gas attack, there was nothing sweet, and nothing fitting, about giving one’s life for one’s country. Focusing in particular on one moment in the First World War, when Owen and his platoon are attacked with poison gas, ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ is a studied analysis of suffering and perhaps the most famous anti-war poem ever written.

Dulce et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori .

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’: background

In October 1917, Wilfred Owen wrote to his mother from Craiglockhart Hospital: ‘Here is a gas poem, done yesterday……..the famous Latin tag (from Horace, Odes) means of course it is sweet and meet to die for one’s country. Sweet! and decorous!’

Although he drafted the poem that October, the surviving drafts of ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ show that Owen revised and revisited it on several occasions thereafter, before his death the following November – one week before the Armistice.

Although he wrote all his poetry while he was still a young man – he died aged just 25, like the poet he so admired, John Keats – Wilfred Owen was a master of form and metre, although the extent to which ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ is carefully structured is not necessarily apparent from reading it (and certainly not from hearing it read aloud).

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’: form

The first two stanzas, comprising eight lines and six lines respectively, form a traditional 14-line sonnet, with an octave (eight-line section) and sestet (six-line section).

The line break after the fourteenth line only brings this home: there’s a pause, and then we find ourselves returning to the word ‘drowning’, locked in it, fixating on that word, ‘drowning’ to describe the helpless state of the poor soldier suffocating from poison gas. The helplessness, of course, is Owen’s too, being unable to do anything for his falling comrade: all we can do is watch in horror.

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’: imagery

The imagery is as striking and memorable as the structure, though a little more explicit: the first stanza bombards us with a series of similes for the exhausted men trudging through mud (‘like old beggars’, ‘coughing like hags’) and more direct metaphors (‘blood-shod’ suggesting feet caked in blood, implying trench-foot and cut legs; with ‘shod’ putting us in mind of horses, perhaps being used to plough a very different kind of muddy field; and ‘drunk with fatigue’ bitterly reminding us that this isn’t some sort of beer-fuelled jolly, a bunch of friends out for a night on the town).

Then we are shocked by the double cry of ‘Gas! GAS!’ at the beginning of the second stanza, with the two successive heavy stresses grabbing our attention, much as the cry from one soldier to his comrades is designed to – and they all fumble for their masks, struggling to put them in place to protect them against the deadly gas attack.

Even after he physically witnessed the soldier dying from the effects of the poison gas, Owen cannot forget it: it haunts his dreams, a recurring nightmare. The recurrence of the word ‘drowning’ neatly conveys this.

In that final stanza, Owen turns what until now has been a descriptive poem into a piece of anti-war propaganda, responding with brilliant irony to the patriotic poets such as Jessie Pope (whom Owen specifically has in mind here), who wrote jingoistic doggerel that encouraged young men to enlist and ‘do their bit for king and country’.

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’: further analysis

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin …

If people like Pope, Owen argues, addressing her directly (‘If in some smothering dreams you too could pace…’), could witness what he has witnessed, and were forced to relive it in their dreams and waking thoughts every day and night, they would not in all good conscience be able to write such pro-war poetry, knowing they were encouraging more men to share the horrific fate of the soldier Owen had seen killed.

Jessie Pope and her ilk would not be able to feed the ‘Old Lie’, Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori , to impressionable young men (some of them so young they are still ‘children’: it’s worth remembering that some boys lied about their age so they could join up) who are ‘ardent for some desperate glory’.

‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ is a fine example of Owen’s superb craftsmanship as a poet: young he may have been, and valuable as his poetry is as a window onto the horrors of the First World War, in the last analysis the reason we value his response to the horrific events he witnessed is that he put them across in such emotive but controlled language, using imagery at once true and effective.

As he put it in the draft preface he wrote for his poems: ‘My subject is War, and the pity of War. The poetry is in the pity.’

Image (top): Wilfred Owen (author unknown: image taken from 1920 edition of  Poems of Wilfred Owen ),  Wikimedia Commons . Image (bottom): John Singer Sargent,  Gassed , via Wikimedia Commons .

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8 thoughts on “A Short Analysis of Wilfred Owen’s ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’”

• Pingback: 10 Classic Wilfred Owen Poems Everyone Should Read | Interesting Literature
• Pingback: The Best War Poems Everyone Should Read | Interesting Literature

Excellent analysis of a great poem.

Thank you :)

Wilfred Owen is one of the many talented war poets that inspired me to love literature!

Good piece here on a powerful poem. And I still think ‘Disabled’ is his best…

• Pingback: Sunday Post – 11th March, 2018 | Brainfluff

A very good analysis of one of my favourite poems. Arguably the best of any war poet.

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The War Inside: An Analysis of Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est

Key takeaway:.

• Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” vividly portrays the horrors of war, specifically focusing on the physical and emotional toll it takes on soldiers.
• The poem exposes the false perception of war glorification and challenges the notion of dying nobly for one’s country.
• Owen’s use of descriptive language and powerful imagery effectively conveys the reality and brutality of war, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

Wilfred Owen’s powerful poem, “Dulce et Decorum Est,” offers a haunting perspective on the horrors of war. In this introduction, we will delve into the background of Wilfred Owen, provide an overview of the poem, and unfold the thesis statement that forms the basis of our analysis. Brace yourself as we navigate the depths of this poignant piece, shedding light on the war’s devastating reality.

Background of Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen was born on March 18, 1893 in Shropshire, England . His early life was shaped by his strong religious beliefs and his passion for literature . When World War I broke out, he enlisted in the army and was sent to the battlefields of France. There, he encountered the brutal realities of war and its devastating effects.

His poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” is one of his most renowned works. Written in 1917, it reveals the physical and psychological hardships of war. By employing vivid descriptions and powerful imagery, Owen exposes the true nature of conflict and challenges popular notions of its nobility and glamor.

Owen’s poems focus on displaying the grim reality of warfare instead of glorifying it. He believed war was far from honorable or noble, and brought immense suffering and death to those involved. Through his work, he sought to make people question the notion that it is honorable to die for one’s country. He aimed to convey the true horrors of war to an unsuspecting audience.

Overview of the poem “Dulce et Decorum Est”

Wilfred Owen’s “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” is an effective poem. It shows the horror of war. Through great imagery and words, Owen makes a disturbing image of the physical and emotional harm war has on soldiers. The poem questions the belief that it is noble to die for one’s country.

In stanza 1 , Owen reveals the tiredness and misery of the soldiers. He talks of their haggard faces and weary bodies. He also talks of the feelings of desperation and the wish for death.

Stanza 2 is about a gas attack and the panic it causes. Owen talks of the soldiers’ vulnerability in their protective gear. He conveys confusion and disorder with soldiers drugged and drained.

In stanza 3 , Owen talks of the harm mustard gas does to its victims. He paints a picture of the slow and agonizing death. He compares it to a nightmare and questions if war is really honorable.

In stanza 4 , Owen speaks to war journalist Jessie Pope. He criticizes her glorification of war and contrasts it with his own portrayal of suffering due to mustard gas. He argues that war is not noble.

To understand poetry, pay attention to the imagery and the context in which it was written. Learn the bitter truth of war through Owen’s “ Dulce et Decorum Est .” War is not sweet or glorious.

Thesis statement: The analysis of the poem and its depiction of the horrors of war

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” explores the brutality of war. It shows the physical and emotional pain experienced by soldiers on the battlefield. The poem’s goal is to reveal the harsh truth behind war – beyond the romanticized ideas of heroism and patriotism.

Stanza 1 displays the exhaustion and suffering of the soldiers. Owen gives a vivid description of their physical state, highlighting their weary condition. He also highlights their emotional state – a feeling of despair and a yearning for death as an escape from the torment.

Stanza 2 focuses on a gas attack and its disastrous aftermath. The protective gear proves to be useless, leaving the soldiers exposed to the gaseous poison. They appear dazed and drained, embodying their struggle against an unforgiving enemy.

Stanza 3 describes the mustard gas and its horrific effects. Owen compares it to a nightmare, capturing the gruesome reality of those exposed to it. He cautions against embracing false ideas of honor in participating in war.

In Stanza 4 , Owen criticizes war journalist Jessie Pope while displaying the mustard gas-induced agony. He condemns not only Pope’s glorification of war but also society’s romanticization of dying for one’s country. Through vivid imagery and descriptions, he seeks to reveal the true horrors of war.

Analysis of Stanza 1: Exhaustion and Misery

In the first stanza of Wilfred Owen’s powerful poem, “Dulce et Decorum Est,” we delve into the raw depths of exhaustion and misery experienced by the soldiers. Through a vivid description of their physical appearance and an exploration of their emotional state, we uncover the haunting realities of war. Let’s dissect this opening stanza and unravel the profound impact it has on the reader.

Description of the soldiers’ physical appearance

The poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen depicts the physical toll of war on the soldiers. He portrays them as exhausted and miserable .

The soldiers are “bent double,” a hunched posture from the weight of war. Their clothing is tattered and torn , symbolizing their struggles. They have “lame” boots and “blood-shod” feet, from the pain of every step.

They trudge through mud , weighed down by their gear. Their faces are “white,” and their eyes filled with despair.

Owen does not shy away from depicting the realities of war, and captures the weariness and degradation of the soldiers. Through this, he allows readers to empathize with their suffering.

The poem serves as a reminder of the sacrifices of those in armed conflicts and challenges romanticized notions of warfare.

Exploration of the soldiers’ emotional state

Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” paints a vivid picture of the soldiers’ emotional state. Their profound despair and desire for release from the horrors of war is explored. The burden of their experiences weigh them down. Their emotion is described as utter hopelessness and desperation. This serves as a reminder of the psychological effect of war.

Owen expertly uses language and imagery to capture the soldiers’ emotions. The words “trudge” and “lame” illustrate their physical weariness. The phrase “drunk with fatigue” conveys their exhaustion and mental toll. Readers are invited to sympathize with and recognize the trauma endured.

Vivid metaphors are used to show the overwhelming despair of the soldiers. Their longing for death is compared to drowning. Owen presents the devastating impact of war on individuals.

Feeling of hopelessness

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” paints a vivid, poignant picture of wartime horrors. Stanza 2 explains how soldiers respond to gas attacks and the chaos and suffocating fumes that cause their sense of hopelessness.

Stanza 3 shows a man slowly dying from mustard gas, emphasizing the soldiers’ helplessness. Stanza 4 speaks to war journalist Jessie Pope , condemning her for romanticizing war and contrasting it with its true brutality.

Owen effectively communicates the profound sense of hopelessness felt by those on the front lines. His purpose is to debunk the glamorization of war and expose its true horrors. His poem creates an impact that lingers long after reading.

Desire for death

Wilfred Owen delves into the soldiers’ longing for death in his poem “Dulce et Decorum Est.” He paints a picture of their emotional state, showing how desperate they’ve become.

Stanza 1 details their physical deterioration due to war. Owen emphasizes the haggard appearance of the troops. This mirrors their inner turmoil and their willingness to accept death as an escape.

In Stanza 2 , he goes further into their reaction to a gas attack. Without proper protection, panic and confusion take over. The language used implies they are drugged and drained, wanting death to be their savior.

Stanza 3 dives into the slow, painful death from mustard gas exposure. This dream-like struggle for survival highlights the physical and psychological suffering of war.

Wilfred Owen experienced these horrors as a soldier on the Western Front. This experience influences his powerful poetry about war.

Analysis of Stanza 2: Gas Attack and Chaos

In stanza 2 of Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est,” we delve into the harrowing reality of a gas attack and the ensuing chaos. This section vividly depicts the soldiers’ response to the gas attack and unravels the portrayal of the intense chaos and confusion that ensues. Prepare to be immersed in the haunting imagery and raw emotions conveyed in this pivotal stanza.

Depiction of the soldiers’ response to the gas attack

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” vividly depicts the soldiers’ response to the gas attack. Stanza 2 portrays their panic and fear as they scramble to put on ineffective protective gear. It conveys a profound psychological impact of war, highlighting the soldiers’ vulnerability and numbed emotional state.

Owen’s portrayal shows them drugged and drained, demonstrating how war can dehumanize individuals and trap them in cycles of violence. Stanza 1 emphasizes their exhaustion and misery, providing context for understanding their response in Stanza 2 .

Owen offers a powerful insight into the horrors of war, reminding us that it has devastating effects on both body and mind. When discussing depictions of traumatic experiences like gas attacks in literature, sensitivity and empathy are key. Pay attention to the language used to convey the characters’ emotions, as this can provide deeper understanding of the human condition during times of war.

Portrayal of the chaos and confusion during the attack

Wilfred Owen’s “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” vividly portrays the chaos and confusion of a gas attack. He portrays soldiers’ panic and terror, showing how their gear fails to protect them. He describes the men as drugged and drained, conveying the disoriented state they’re in. His powerful imagery captures the overwhelming chaos and confusion of a gas attack.

In Stanza 2, Owen focuses on the ineffectiveness of protective gear. Mustard gas infiltrates, causing panic among the soldiers. They stumble over each other in an attempt to escape death. This exposes war’s grim reality, highlighting its devastating impact.

Owen also shows how the gas distorts reality, causing further chaos and confusion for the soldiers. His graphic imagery paints a bleak picture of suffering and despair. He urges us to question any glorification of war and calls for peace instead.

Ineffectiveness of protective gear

The soldiers in Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” experience the harsh realities of ineffective protections. Gas masks and clothing fail to keep out the poisonous gas. The soldiers are unable to escape, leaving them vulnerable to blistering and burning. Even with advancements in technology, their efforts to protect themselves are futile.

Owen recounts a true story of a soldier who failed to put on his gas mask in time. This soldier suffers excruciating pain and irreversible damage to his lungs . This serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of inadequate protection .

The poem powerfully communicates Owen’s anti-war message . Glorification of war is exposed as a reminder of the true cost of conflict .

Soldiers appearing drugged and drained

Soldiers in Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” appear drugged and drained . Their fatigue and trauma is highlighted in the details of their haggard faces and bloodshot eyes. War takes a psychological toll, leaving them feeling numb and detached.

The chaos and confusion of the gas attack make them even more vulnerable. Protective gear is useless. They struggle to survive as they stumble through a haze of poison gas.

Owen’s use of descriptive language presents them as figures in a nightmare – pale, disoriented, sluggish as if under a powerful sedative. The surreal quality of their suffering intensifies the image of them appearing drugged and drained .

Analysis of Stanza 3: The Horrors of Mustard Gas

Stanza 3 of Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” takes us into the depths of the horrors inflicted by mustard gas. It vividly describes the excruciating journey towards death that victims of this brutal weapon endure. As we explore this stanza, we’ll witness Owen’s powerful comparison of the dying man’s struggle to a haunting nightmare. Moreover, we’ll uncover the profound irony as Owen sarcastically warns against the false perception of war as glorified and honorable.

Description of the slow and agonizing death caused by mustard gas

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” paints a vivid picture of the slow and agonizing death caused by mustard gas.

“ Slow ” and “ agonizing ” paint a grim image of a prolonged, torturous death. Owen’s message? War is not honorable or heroic. It’s a nightmarish ordeal of unimaginable suffering.

He conveys this with a comparison to a nightmare. Fear and dread evoke in readers, ensuring they understand the true horror of mustard gas.

“Sweet dreams made of mustard gas, but war brings nightmares of brutal reality.”

Comparison of the dying man’s struggle to a nightmare

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” unveils the devastating reality of war .

This stanza compares the dying man’s experience to a nightmare, signifying the intense agony he’s facing. Owen is demonstrating the nightmarish reality of war and its consequences on individuals.

He also highlights the mental trauma soldiers can suffer due to memories of war that might haunt them . Using vivid imagery and descriptive language, he challenges the notion that war is heroic or noble.

He effectively communicates the immense suffering faced by soldiers and disillusions the glorified image related to war .

Owen’s sarcastic warning about the false perception of war

Wilfred Owen, a WWI soldier, puts his personal experiences into “ Dulce et Decorum Est .” He challenges the thought of dying for one’s country being noble. He wants to warn people against the glamorizing of battle.

He uses irony and satire to show the brutal, dehumanizing reality of war. He depicts its gruesome consequences with powerful imagery and language. He contrasts the public’s perception and the actual horror.

Owen targets Jessie Pope, a war journalist who wrote poems to get people to enlist. He sarcastically addresses her in stanza four, showing her naive view of war.

His words are made more meaningful by his own experience as a soldier. He emphasizes the importance of questioning beliefs about war.

Owen’s warning about the false perception of war is a critique of its romanticization. He uses vivid language, irony, and satire to challenge society’s acceptance and show the true devastation of war.

Analysis of Stanza 4: Critique of War Glorification

In Stanza 4 of Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est,” we delve into a powerful critique of war glorification. This section will explore Owen’s address to war journalist Jessie Pope, the vivid depiction of suffering caused by mustard gas, and his condemnation of the glorification of war and the concept of dying for one’s country. So, let’s dive into the searing analysis that challenges the romanticized notions surrounding the horrors of war.

Owen’s address to war journalist Jessie Pope

Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” is a scathing critique of war journalist Jessie Pope and her romanticized portrayal of war. In Stanza 4, Owen directly addresses Pope, exposing the disconnect between her glorified version and the real harshness of war.

He emphasizes the brutality and pain of soldiers with vivid descriptions of mustard gas. He condemns those who say dying for one’s country is honorable, showing the stark contrast between their rhetoric and the true horrors of battle.

Throughout the poem, Owen dismantles the glamorization of war. He invites readers to reconsider the glorified image perpetuated by figures like Pope. His words come from his own World War I experiences and show the dissonance between the ideal and the grim reality. His powerful words still ring true today, reminding us of the cost of warfare.

In summary, Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” challenges Jessie Pope’s romanticized view of war. He reveals the suffering of soldiers and criticizes the idea of heroism in battle. His personal experiences create a powerful reminder of the true price of warfare.

Vivid depiction of the suffering caused by mustard gas

Wilfred Owen’s poem, “ Dulce et Decorum Est ,” vividly paints the immense suffering mustard gas caused during WWI. Through powerful descriptions and vivid imagery, Owen expresses the horrifying truth of war and its devastating effect on soldiers.

The pain and helplessness of an individual exposed to mustard gas is hauntingly conveyed. Readers can almost see the horrific effects of this weapon of mass destruction , indiscriminately harming both enemy forces and innocent civilians. This stark portrayal challenges any romanticized ideas of war.

Owen includes specific details to enhance his depiction. He describes the soldiers as if drugged, drained of life and unable to function. It shows not only the physical toll , but also the psychological and emotional trauma .

The suffering caused by mustard gas in “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” serves as a reminder of what those involved in war must face. It questions heroic and patriotic ideals, exposing the true horrors of the battlefield. Through his poignant writing, Owen encourages society to think deeply about war , highlighting its destructive nature.

Through precise language, Wilfred Owen effectively portrays the suffering caused by mustard gas in “ Dulce et Decorum Est .” His purposeful depiction serves as an important critique against narratives that glorify war, while shedding light on its human cost.

Condemnation of the glorification of war and the nobility of dying for one’s country

Wilfred Owen’s iconic poem, “ Dulce et Decorum Est “, boldly challenges the notion that war is noble. Through vivid imagery, he reveals the harsh reality of war and its devastating effects on soldiers.

In stanza 4, Owen criticizes war journalist Jessie Pope for her romanticized view of war. He paints a picture of the intense suffering caused by mustard gas, emphasizing the difference between the glorified perception of war and its brutal actuality.

The poem’s soldiers are subjected to agonizing deaths from mustard gas, dispelling any illusions of honor or nobility in dying for one’s country. Owen reveals a stark contrast between public perception and the harsh reality experienced by those on the frontlines.

Ultimately, Owen’s “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” serves as a powerful indictment against those who seek to romanticize war. His compelling language and vivid descriptions challenge conventional narratives surrounding warfare and force readers to confront the harrowing truths behind patriotic rhetoric. Stripping away the glamour of war, one gas attack at a time – this is Wilfred Owen’s poetic masterpiece.

In the conclusion, we will summarize the main points discussed, examine the overall impact of Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” in conveying the harsh reality of war, and reflect on Owen’s purpose and message. By doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of the profound significance of this influential literary work.

Summary of the main points discussed

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” uncovers the ugly truth of war .

Stanza 1 speaks of the weariness and grief of the soldiers, their physical state and mental distress. They are shown as jaded and disheartened, almost wishing for death.

Stanza 2 examines the pandemonium of a gas attack. It illustrates the soldiers’ reaction and the ineffectiveness of the protective gear. They appear confused and drained, as if under the influence of drugs.

Stanza 3 paints a picture of the fatal impact of mustard gas, comparing it to a horror. It also includes Owen’s critique of the false idea of war, challenging traditional beliefs of bravery.

In Stanza 4 , Owen addresses Jessie Pope and portrays the pain of mustard gas. He denounces the glorification of war and decries the notion that dying for one’s country is honorable.

These points reveal the true nature of war – its physical and emotional toll on soldiers, its chaos and destruction, and its dehumanizing effects. By bringing these issues to light, Owen strives to challenge society’s opinions of war.

War: where heroic dreams turn into gruesome nightmares, as displayed in Dulce et Decorum Est .

Overall impact of the poem in conveying the reality of war

Wilfred Owen’s poem “ Dulce et Decorum Est ” has a deep effect on portraying war’s harsh truth. Through its vivid and eerie imagery, Owen shows the physical and emotional burden that war puts on soldiers. By breaking the poem down, it’s obvious Owen wants to honestly depict war’s horrors.

Stanza 1 explains the soldiers’ worn-out and deplorable state, illustrating the aftermath of extended warfare. He also looks into their inner state, emphasizing hopelessness and even a wish for dying to escape their pain.

Stanza 2 details the gas attack and its ensuing pandemonium. Owen portrays their reaction, which involves useless protective gear and confusion. The soldiers are drugged and sapped, amplifying the chaos of war.

Stanza 3 emphasizes the torturous death caused by mustard gas. The drawn-out way of dying is likened to a nightmare, intensifying the terror. Sardonically, Owen warns against war’s romanticized aim.

Stanza 4 is Owen’s criticism of war journalist Jessie Pope. He vividly paints the mustard gas suffering to counter Pope’s idealized version of war. He also condemns war’s glorification and questions its nobility.

In conclusion, this powerful poem has a major impact in showing war’s reality. It forces readers to face soldiers’ physical and emotional traumas every day. Through his striking descriptions and fiery critique of war adoration, Wilfred Owen reveals the real terrors behind patriotic principles.

Reflection on Owen’s purpose and message

Wilfred Owen’s poem, “ Dulce et Decorum Est “, creates a powerful reflection on war. It’s vivid descriptions and emotional imagery effectively portray the immense suffering endured by soldiers. Owen’s aim is to challenge the glorification of war and reveal the false perception that dying for a country is noble . He paints a terrifying picture of war as a nightmare filled with exhaustion, misery, and chaos. Mustard gas is also a major part of this portrayal, emphasizing how it can dehumanize and leave soldiers defenseless.

This poem delves into Owen’s message, aimed at establishing an impact on readers . He conveys soldiers’ physical conditions with “sagging backs” in the first stanza, and their emotional despair in the longing for death. The second part focuses on the chaos and confusion during a gas attack and the uselessness of protective gear.

The fourth stanza is a condemnation of war journalist Jessie Pope . It vividly describes the suffering caused by mustard gas, and aims to provoke a reevaluation of society’s views on war.

These details demonstrate Owen’s goal to dismantle any romanticized ideas of war . He wants to expose the grim reality of war and dispute the notion that it is honorable or glorious.

Some Facts About “The War Inside: An Analysis of Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est”:

• ✅ Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum” portrays war as deadly, bloody, and disgusting. (Source: Team Research)
• ✅ Owen challenges the idea of dying for your country as heroic and suggests that it is instead disgusting and could cause hatred towards one’s own country. (Source: Team Research)
• ✅ The poem vividly describes the physical and psychological impact of war, particularly the horrors of gas warfare. (Source: Team Research)
• ✅ Owen uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey the cruel truths of war and expose the glorified image presented by propaganda. (Source: Cram.com)
• ✅ “Dulce et Decorum Est” breaks the conventions of early 20th-century modernism and idealistic war poetry, providing a haunting and realistic portrayal of war. (Source: Bartleby.com)

FAQs about The War Inside: An Analysis Of Wilfred Owen’S Dulce Et Decorum Est

What is the meaning of the phrase “dulce et decorum est pro patria mori”.

The phrase “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” translates to “It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.” The phrase represents the glorification of war and the noble sacrifice of one’s life for the nation.

How does Wilfred Owen challenge the idea of dying for one’s country in “Dulce et Decorum Est”?

Wilfred Owen argues against the idea of dying for one’s country in his poem. He portrays war as deadly, bloody, and disgusting, emphasizing the harsh realities and the suffering experienced by soldiers. Owen suggests that the glorification of war is a deception and that the actual experience of warfare can make one resent their own country.

What literary devices does Wilfred Owen use in “Dulce et Decorum Est”?

Wilfred Owen employs various literary devices in his poem. He uses vivid imagery to create striking and realistic pictures of war, such as the soldiers being compared to “old beggars” and their twisted bodies. Owen also uses iambic pentameter to convey a sense of depression and melancholy, interrupted by spondees to reflect the horrors of war. Additionally, he uses harsh tones and language choices to emphasize the suffering and unfair deaths of the soldiers.

How does Wilfred Owen criticize war propaganda in “Dulce et Decorum Est”?

In “Dulce et Decorum Est,” Wilfred Owen criticizes war propaganda by exposing its deceitful nature. He contrasts the glorified image of war presented in propaganda with the gruesome realities experienced by soldiers. Owen challenges the idea that war is glorious and noble, condemning the dehumanization and atrocities that accompany it.

What impact did the mustard gas have on soldiers during World War I?

Mustard gas, used as a weapon of attack during World War I, had horrific effects on soldiers. It caused blisters, acute vomiting, internal and external bleeding, and could take weeks to kill its victims. The use of mustard gas intensified the suffering and physical and psychological damage experienced by soldiers on the battlefield.

Who influenced Wilfred Owen’s work and contributed to the publication of his poems?

Siegfried Sassoon, a poet and editor, had a significant impact on Wilfred Owen’s life and work. After Owen’s death, Sassoon compiled and published his poems in 1920. Sassoon’s guidance and support helped to bring recognition to Owen’s powerful and haunting poetry that depicted the horrors of war.

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Anger and futility: Wilfred Owen and ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’

Death, war, and writing about death in war (4)

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; nk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— rough the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.

If Tennyson seeks to turn a futile, devastating military campaign into the glorification of soldiers’ bravery and group focus, Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et decorum est is a relentless and harsh critique of the degrading, damaging, and sickening reality of war. The battlefield, especially the battlefields of World War One, Owen asserts, prohibit a soldier from dying a ‘good death’, for there is nothing good about the trenches.

The poem, published after the end of the war in 1921, opens with a visceral description of the physical baggage of being a soldier in trench warfare. The men are ‘Bent double, like old beggars under sacks’, and Owen rhymes ‘sludge’ with ‘trudge’ to emphasise the grimy, unforgiving environment of the trenches. In the second stanza, Owen witnesses a man die as a result of chemical warfare:      

But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

There is nothing that is good about this man’s death. There is no purpose, no aesthetic beauty or glory, no nobility of spirit. Instead, ‘flound’ring’, the man is helpless; ‘As under a green sea’ he is utterly displaced: ‘He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.’ The unnamed soldier’s death is characterised with pain, meaninglessness, and a loss of control.

The trauma of witnessing this death is ongoing and pervasive: ‘In all my dreams before my helpless sight’ the poet sees this man’s death. Death in war, the poet suggests, is never one-time only; it is a repeated injury on those who witnessed that individual’s fall; and being made a witness to such a painful and futile death renders the viewer ‘helpless’. But it is not a helplessness that leaves Owen silent. Rather, his is the angry resistance of a soldier who denies the glory of a battlefield, who resents the equation of patriotic duty and military death as a formula resulting in personal glory. He turns his poem into a plea to all people holding any position of authority, political or social, to end the perpetuation of the equation of patriotic duty with a noble death. Instead, Owen rejects as ‘The old Lie’ Horace’s claim that it is sweet and proper to die for one’s country, the capitalisation of ‘Lie’ suggesting that Horace’s sentiment is so dangerous because it has become an archetype. ‘For Queen and country’, we might say now, to which Wilfred Owen might tell us, don’t believe that. It is never worth it, and it never was. 

Dulce et Decorum Est

Dulce et decorum est lyrics.

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One of the most famous war poems written by Wilfred Owen, who died in the British Army’s trenches near the Sambre-Oise Canal in France, a week before the end of World War I. “Dulce” uses the powerfully repulsive imagery of a soldier’s death from poison gas as a counter to propagandists,like the poet Jessie Pope who praised the glories of war.

Watch actor Christopher Eccleston recite the poem here

Structure The poem comprises four stanzas of uneven length. The metrical rhythm is predominantly iambic pentameter , that is five metrical feet or iambs per line, where a iamb is one unstressed followed by one stressed syllable. However, the poet departs from this at certain points.

There is a regular ABAB CDCD EFEF etc rhyme scheme and lines are enjambed to create a natural flow that in places imitates human speech, interspersed with ironically lyrical sections.

Language The voice is that of a speaker, presumably the poet, using the first person plural “we”. The tone is one of horror expressed through concise, vivid language, but interspersed with the colloquial speech of the men. So, for example, ‘Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!’ expresses the words the soldiers would use, compared to the end of the last stanza which refers to ‘… children ardent for some desperate glory …’ , then followed by the quotation from the Roman poet, Horace' that gives the poem its title. The annotation in the last stanza explains this fully.

Image Credit Copyright The British Library / The Wilfred Owen Literary Estate Via The First World War Poetry Digital Archive

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

• 2. Strange Meeting
• 3. Greater Love
• 4. Apologia pro Poemate Meo
• 5. The Show
• 6. Mental Cases
• 7. The Parable of the Old Men and the Young
• 8. Arms and the Boy
• 9. Anthem for Doomed Youth
• 10. The Send-Off
• 11. Insensibility
• 12. Dulce et Decorum Est
• 13. The Sentry
• 14. The Dead-Beat
• 15. Exposure
• 16. Spring Offensive
• 17. The Chances
• 18. S. I. W.
• 19. Futility
• 20. Smile, Smile, Smile
• 21. Conscious
• 22. A Terre
• 23. Wild with all Regrets
• 24. Disabled
• 25. Appendix
• 26. The Next War

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Dulce et Decorum Est 101: Summary, Analysis, & Questions and Answers

“Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen concentrates on the shocking details of events soldiers came through in World War I. Owen recalls the war realities by showing readers the soldiers’ urgency when faced with death.

If you’re stuck with writing a paper on the poem, you’re in the right place! Below, you will find the Dulce et Decorum Est analysis, summary, answers to the most common questions. And don’t forget to check our free essay examples .

Let’s start!

• Literary Devices
• Language: Meter, Rhythm, Rhyme Scheme, Tone
• Essay Ideas
• Questions and Answers

Dulce Et Decorum Est: Summary

The author paints a group of marching soldiers in a muddy landscape. The soldiers are tired and sick. They are coughing like older adults, and their knees are shaking. Besides, they are far from the fighting spirit. Some of them walk like they seem to be sleeping. Some even lost their boots, and their feet are bleeding.

At the same time, they carry heavy packs while going away from light flares, used by the German army to spot an enemy by lighting up the territory. Their destination is a distant camp.

Soldiers are worn out physically and mentally. Their perception is clouded as if they were drunk. They can hardly recognize an impending threat.

Suddenly, one from the group warns about a gas attack so that soldiers can put on their protecting helmets. Everyone manages to do it on time, except for one soldier. The author saw his suffering and agony.

The soldier death reminded Owen of someone caught in fire or lime, used to blind the enemy in ancient times. He compares this terrible scene with drowning in the ocean, not underwater, but in the air full of poisonous gas.

Then, the reader is brought into the author’s post-war reality. Even years later, Owen did not escape the picture of yelling and dying in front of his eyes comrade-in-arms.

After sharing his grievous experience, the author turns to the readers and states a straightforward thing. It lies in the fact that if they took his boots and walked a mile, they would never have said to their children the war is glorious.

The author recalls marching behind a wagon with a dying wrecked-face soldier, who reminds of someone passing away from cancer or other diseases. Such memories dispel an “old lie” that dying for one’s country is sweet and fitting.

Dulce Et Decorum Est: Literary Analysis

We approach the literary analysis of the Dulce Et Decorum Est. You will understand the poem’s themes, the literary devices the author used, and the poem’s language.

Let’s go!

Dulce Et Decorum Est: Theme

The author illustrates the relationship between reality and heroic ideals. He does it via two central themes: patriotism and its false glory and horrors of war .

The poem’s title and final lines, “Dulce et Decorum Est,” are from Horace’s Ode 3.2 . The bar is a Latin equivalent for “It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.” It echoes powerfully in the hearts of the young, showing only the heroic and romantic side of patriotic death and other sacrifices “for good.”

In reality, it’s far from that. The author argues such a way of war glorification, calling it an “old Lie.” Each horror depicted from the “on-site” shatters the enduring myth that the war is glorious.

Line by line, the poem shows how terrible and horrifying the war experience is. One thing is clear: if the reader could see and feel all the author’s horror, they would not talk so zealously about patriotism and the delights of war.

All the above is bolstered by the third theme: the traumatic war’s impact on humans . In this context, possible terrible emotional or physical pains will not get better with time. The lasting effects of war trauma barely level out all the arrogance and glory of war.

Dulce Et Decorum Est: Literary Devices

Now, we will stop on Dulce Et Decorum Est literary devices. To express the main idea, the author used several poetic techniques, including:

Let’s explore Dulce Et Decorum’s literary devices and look at a few examples of their application.

The author successfully uses many similes to make the terror visible. Thanks to them, it is easier for readers to perceive the pain, horrific images, and agony.

One of the examples is in the very beginning: “ like old beggars under sacks ” — soldiers are shown not as brave mighty heroes, but as the homeless and weak tramps who beg for a living.

Here is the list of other same-purpose phrases: “ coughing like hags ,” “ like a devil’s sick of sin ,” “ obscene as cancer ,” “ like a man in fire or lime ,” “ as under a green sea ,” and “ bitter as the cud .”

Dulce et Decorum Es is so literal that it has only a single metaphor . It is used in the poem to make vivid imagery of the soldiers’ physical state. The metaphors are the compelling phrases, namely, “ drunk with fatigue ” and “ deaf even to the hoots .”

We have already touched a bit upon the symbolic elements in the poem’s imagery. Symbolism pictures the WWI experience like a nightmare rather than a real-life event.

The first symbolic element author introduces a green sea in which one of the soldiers “dies” after a gas attack, as he could not put on a mask on time. It can be explained by what Owen saw then: a gas fog through the mask glass.

Using this symbol in pair with the verb “drowning” transmits the painful and cruel way the soldier died. Besides, it builds the link between drowning in the ocean and gas suffocation. It is easier for readers to imagine the terrible feeling of lacking enough oxygen underwater.

The irony shows up in the poem’s very beginning. First, the reader sees the title Dulce et Decorum Est, meaning the poem will show how great it is to fight for the homeland. The first line is opposite to something glorious and sweet.

Reading more into the poem opens up terrifying things about war gradually. The author uses irony to express the violence, making the phrase in the title an illusion.

Along with irony and other poetic techniques, the author uses oxymorons . Two contradictory words used together make an oxymoron.

In phrase “ To children ardent for some desperate glory ,” the initially negative “ desperate ” word is combined with the joyous “ glory .” Another oxymoron is “ An ecstasy of fumbling ,” where the opposing state of extreme happiness combines with an awkward way of doing something.

With oxymorons, Owen produces a dramatic effect. The poem forces the reader to stop and think about the whole complexity of war and man’s place in it.

Dulce Et Decorum Est Language: Meter, Rhythm, Rhyme Scheme, Tone

The language of the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est is composed of several poetic devices, including meter, rhythm, rhyme scheme, and tone. Let’s describe each of them:

• Meter. The poem is composed of five-syllable pairs. Each pair’s first syllable is unstressed, and the second is stressed. The Dulce Et Decorum Est meter pattern is iambic pentameter.
• Rhythm. Combined with other techniques, the poem’s somber rhythm expresses imagery. The words themselves are rumbling. They collide to paint a horrific picture of the field where soldiers march. What is more, it is evocative of the rhythm of the heart.
• Rhyme scheme. Although the poem’s meter is rather complex, the rhyme pattern is simple. The rhyme scheme in Dulce Et Decorum Est is ABABCDCD. The author manages with simple words and no more than double rhyme sounds repetition.
• Tone. The poem’s tone is bitter, angry, and critical. The trauma and self-recrimination heat the speaker’s voice. That’s why he so accurately conveys all the fears and horrors he endured. Along with the angry tone, the ironically used “my friend” addressing those supporting an “old lie” impacts them more intensely.

Now, we move on to the poem’s setting.

Dulce Et Decorum Est: Setting

Owen does not give the exact setting location, but it is clear from the context that the action takes place in 1917 winter in France.

What is this context?

The poem is written during Wilfred Owen’s actual WWI experience . Here when he wrote letters with stories of the dying soldier.

Besides, there are elements in the poem, which serve as a clue to understanding the setting.

The most evident is green chlorine gas, deployed by the German army since 1915, and “clumsy helmets” or gas masks, used as gas attacks responsive measure.

Gas shells and flares are also WWI-specific elements. Soldiers never used them before.

The setting breaks into the past and present in terms of the author. After two stanzas, we shift to his indeterminate present in the past. It shows us that his horrors did not leave him even in the postwar peacetime.

Dulce Et Decorum Est Essay Ideas

Now that you have explored the poem analysis, it’s time to write the Dulce et Decorum Est analysis essay. We gathered 15 essay topic ideas to make things simple. Please, pick any from the list:

• Dulce Et Decorum Est poem figurative language
• Dulce Et Decorum Est poem literary devices
• Irony in poem Dulce Et Decorum Est
• Symbolism in poem Dulce Et Decorum Est
• What is the theme of the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est?
• How does Wilfred Owen describe the horrors of war in the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est?
• The brutality of war in the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est
• How does Wilfred Owen convey the human costs of war in the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est?
• Illustration of First World War in the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
• Literary devices and themes in Dulce Et Decorum Est
• Dulce Et Decorum Est: is it charming to die for one’s country?
• Why was Dulce Et Decorum Est written: literary and historical context?
• What is the Dulce Et Decorum Est message?
• The portrayal of death in Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
• Depiction of tragedies of war in the poem Dulce Et Decorum Est

If the topics are not enough and you still have any questions, we suggest you check out an example of a ready-made Dulce et Decorum Est and The Things they Carried: Compare & Contrast Essay .

To help you finally delve into the topic, we gathered the most frequently asked questions and comprehensive answers to them below.

Dulce Et Decorum Est: Questions and Answers

Below you will find comprehensive Dulce et Decorum Est questions and answers.

Who Wrote Dulce Et Decorum Est?

Dulce et Decorum Est was written by Wilfred Edward Salter Owen , an English soldier, and poet. He was born on 18 March 1893 near Oswestry in Shropshire. Among the First World War poets, he was almost the leading one.

At the time he lived, ideas and themes he erased in his poetry were in contrast to the perception of war by the public. As ideas of anti-militarism developed, his poems became increasingly recognized. Here are several examples: “ Anthem for Doomed Youth ,” “ Strange Meeting ,” “ Insensibility ,” and “ Spring Offensive .” All of them were published posthumously.

On 4 November, at the age of 25, Owen was killed while leading his men across the Sambre and Oise Canal.

When Was Dulce Et Decorum Est Written?

Like most of Wilfred Owen’s works, Dulce et Decorum Est was written between August 1917 and September 1918. At that time, Owen was fighting in the First World War. Most likely, it was written in 1917 when he was at the Craiglockhart War Hospital near Edinburgh.

What Does Dulce Et Decorum Est Mean?

Dulce et Decorum Est is a citation from the Roman poet Horace’s Ode 3.2. The literal meaning of it is “it’s sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.”

The author aims at deconstructing this myth. In the last stanza, he calls it an “old lie.”

Owen successfully showed the difference between the horrifying reality of war and its glorious image, usually spread by those not even fighting in it.

What Is Dulce Et Decorum Est About?

Originally written as a personal letter, Owen later decided to appeal to a broader audience of all war supporters. The poem is highly emotional, making it one of the most popular condemnations of the war.

Dulce et Decorum Est begins with an image of weary soldiers walking from the front lines through thick mud. Then, there is a gas attack, in which one of the soldiers dies.

What Happened in the Poem Dulce et Decorum Est?

The poem tells us the story of a group of soldiers, “ drunk with fatigue ,” forced to make their way “through the mud” to take shelter from the explosive shells that fall on their rear.

Then gas shells fell around them. The soldiers rushed to put on their gas masks. In a rush, one of them is caught gassed. The author sees him “screaming again and stumbling.” Then, he sees him yelling in agony as he is drowning in the green sea.

When the attack was over, they proceeded on their way, but their mate was in the wagon, with white eyes and coughing up blood.

Who Is the Speaker in the Poem Dulce et Decorum Est?

The poem, composed of 28 free iambic pentameters, lets us hear the voice of the poet himself . Owen appears here as a soldier with a deep incurable emotional trauma left after the war and its horrifying events.

Why Was Dulce Et Decorum Est Written?

Discussing war horrors in the abstract does not require much effort. Owen managed to depict those horrors in a specifically devastating way. What’s more, he shows in the poem that every aspect of war is terrible. Starting from a soldier’s daily life, continuing to the death in an attack, and postwar traumatized body and mind.

The author is very disappointed with the war. A reader can see it in the last few lines of the last stanza.

How Does Dulce et Decorum Est Make the Reader Feel?

The way the author uses language to put the audience inside the events helps them understand the terrible experience of awful aspects of war.

What Is the Message of Dulce et Decorum Est?

The central tension lies between the reality of the war and the government’s portrayal of war. They paint it as sweet and fitting to die for your homeland. The message that Owen conveys is the reality of the cruel and horrific war.

Why Is Dulce Et Decorum Est Important?

The poem lies genre of protest poetry because it shows the horror and reality of war, specifically the First World War. Dulce et Decorum Est sets this horror against how war is so often glorified.

• Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” — English Emory
• Horace, Ode 3.2 
• Biography of Wilfred Owen
• Wilfred Owen: Biography & War Poet
• Digital Archive of Owen’s Life and Work 
• Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum est: Summary & Analysis
• Dr. Santanu Das explores the manuscript for Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum est” Video on the British Library’s World War I website
• Ian McMillan asks if “Dulce et Decorum est” has distorted our view of WWI Video on the BBC’s iWonder website
• Manuscript version of ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ The Poetry Manuscripts of Wilfred Owen on the British Library’s website
• Listen to “Dulce et Decorum Est” 
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‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ by Wilford Owen

Wilfred Owen, the poet, tells of his first-hand experience in war. He tells the tale of tired and wounded soldiers walking through dirt and sludge. Suddenly, there is a warning about gas, which the soldiers hurriedly and awkwardly heed by donning their helmets. Unfortunately, one soldier is too late in donning the helmet and his companions watch him ‘drowning’ in the gas. The unfortunate soldier was thrown in the back of a wagon, where it is implied that he was left to die. The persona points out that if you (the reader/ listener) could have witnessed these events, then you would not tell children the old lie: dulce et decorum est pro-Patria Mori (It is sweet and honourable to die for one’s country).

LITERARY DEVICES

1. SIMILE Stanza 1, line 1: This simile introduces the exhaustion of the soldiers.

Stanza 1, line 2: This emphasises not only the tiredness of the soldiers but the fact that they might be sick as well.

Stanza 2, line 19: This device gives a visual image of how the soldier physically reacted to the gas. Floundering implies flopping about, therefore, the soldier was flopping about violently. We know it was violent because fire and lime illicit excruciating pain.

Stanza 4, line 39: This device gives a visual image of the expression on the soldier’s face. This is a particularly grotesque image that highlights the soldier in the throes of death.

Stanza 4, line 39: Cancer is a horrible disease that takes many lives on a daily basis. Therefore, to compare this dying soldier’s face to this disease is to emphasize the agony that the soldier was going through, which was reflected on his face.

Stanza 4, lines 39-40: This is another graphic comparison that compares the soldier’s face to incurable sores. ‘Sores’ is a disgusting visual image of degradation which, in turn, highlights the soldier in the throes of death.

ALLITERATION Stanza 1, line 7: This device points to the level of fatigue that the soldiers were undergoing.

Stanza 1, lines 7-9: This highlights not only the fatigue that the soldiers were feeling but the fact that they were injured as well.

Stanza 4, lines 29-30: This device highlights a visually graphic death mask. The soldier is in the throes of impending death.

IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 3. ‘Bent double’ The soldiers are bent over with fatigue. It is very significant that the poet/ persona initiates the poem by highlighting the exhaustion of the soldiers. He is trying to emphasize the harsh realities of war.

4. ‘haunting flares’ Flares are typically used to signal distress. The flare is fired from a flare gun, in the air, where rescue crafts, at sea or in the air, can have a general idea of the location of the soldiers who are in distress. Therefore, to describe the flares as haunting implies that the soldiers are severely distressed by their situation.

5.’ deaf even to the hoots of tired outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.’ Five-nines are German 5.9 artillery shells. This means that bullets were firing around them while they were walking. The extent of the soldiers’ tiredness is also emphasized at this point because the soldiers do not hear the shells going off around them.

6. ‘An ecstasy of fumbling’ The word ecstasy, which is used to describe fumbling, implies the level of panic that this one word (gas) elicits. The soldiers’ were so tired that they could not even hear the five nines, but this one word immediately woke them up.

7. ‘Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, as under a green sea, I saw him drowning.’ This describes exactly what the outside world looks like through the lens of a gas mask. The effect of the gas is seen in the mention of the word ‘drown’. It implies that the unfortunate soldier could not breathe.

8. ‘He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.’ This is the very graphic result of breathing in the gas. It is a very violent reaction, as seen in the word ‘plunge’. The dying soldier did not simply reach for the persona/poet, but he did so in a desperate manner, while all the time being unable to breathe.

9. ‘wagon that we flung him in’  The statement implies that the soldier was left for dead in a wagon. No regard was shown to him, through the use of the word ‘flung’. This implies that war is heartless and tragic.

10 .’Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.’  This statement literally means it is sweet and honourable to die for one’s country. The persona/ poet clearly does NOT believe this to be the case. 

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona/ poet is thinking about his experiences in WWI. TONE The general tone of the poem is both sarcastic and ironic. The persona/ poet tries to present a visual of the realities of war while using haunting words that contradict that reality. It is, in fact, NOT sweet and honourable to die for one’s country. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION War, death, survival,  patriotism

2 thoughts on “‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ by Wilford Owen”

Beyond grateful for this! Many thanks

Amazing review thx

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