Comparing Dulce Et Decorum Est And Anthem For Doomed Youth

Wilfred Owen’s personal experience at war is reflected in his poetry, depicting the brutality of war and conflict. His Ideas and techniques are presented throughout the two poems “Dulce et Decorum Est” and “Anthem for Doomed Youth”. Owen explores the truths of war in these poems through themes such as; war as the horrific and violent scene it is, the disparity between reality of the battlefield and the perception of what war is at home. Owen shows the devastation of war on the human being and soul, not only the physical but the mental effects of war. The soldiers are influenced by: government propaganda; the glory in dying for their country; the betrayal and devastating loss of innocent youth. Owen is able to portray these truths through his powerful poetry. Throughout his poems he uses allusions, guttural consonants, onomatopoeia and other techniques to create powerful messages that war is.
Dulce et Decorum Est brings the realisation that war is not as it is portrayed to the public, but the allusion that the government gives to the country. This is shown through the title “Dulce et Decorum Est”. This title means that it is ‘sweet and honourable to die for one’s country’. This phrase is mentioned throughout the poem is conveyed through irony and sarcasm that it is the ‘The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum Est Pro patria mori.’
Owen compares the funeral at home compared to the funeral on the battlefield. “The holy glimmers” interpreted as tears, in the eyes of the soldiers, and funeral bells are replaced with the sounds of weapons firing. Owen shows that during war soldiers’ deaths are seen to be insignificant. Owen shows the insignificance of human life and the mental horrors as young men are brought to tears, the devastation of war and the savage mean to kill