Wilfred Owen Essay
Wilfred Owen
Dulce et decorum est, futility, mental cases, Anthum of a doomed youth, The parable of the old man and the young, disabled. These are all the names of the magnificent Poems written by a soldier, Wilfred Owen, who died in the last week of the great war. His Poems clearly communicate the sorrow and horror he experienced during war. Owen was a poet, patriot, pacifist, son, brother and a friend to many. His compassion is what drew him to war in the first place, whilst teaching in France he often visited the wounded in hospitals, which affected him immensely. There was such a change in him that in 1915 he decided to join the army so that he could in his own words “help these boys”. It wasn’t until Owen reached the horrors of the trenches in France that he started writing truly incredible poems from the front line. Owens Poems became more depressing as the war went on; this is demonstrated in the change of descriptive words used from poem ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ to ‘Mental cases’ (one of his last poems written before his time of death).
‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ Translated, means: it is sweet and honorable to die for your country. This poem was originally dedicated to Jessie Pope, who wrote poems that urged young men to enlist in the military. Owen is basically refuting Jessie Pope's opinion that it is considered a glorious act to enlist and fight for your country. “my friend you would not tell with such high zest to children ardent for some desperate glory, the old lie: Dulce et Decorum Est” this quote is evident of the fact that it is a complete and utter lie. It is not sweet nor honorable to die for your country. “Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, but someone was still yelling out and stumbling And floundering like a man in fire or lime, Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under the sea, I saw him drowning.” The use of exclamation marks and capitalization show shift in tine as men
Dulce et decorum est, futility, mental cases, Anthum of a doomed youth, The parable of the old man and the young, disabled. These are all the names of the magnificent Poems written by a soldier, Wilfred Owen, who died in the last week of the great war. His Poems clearly communicate the sorrow and horror he experienced during war. Owen was a poet, patriot, pacifist, son, brother and a friend to many. His compassion is what drew him to war in the first place, whilst teaching in France he often visited the wounded in hospitals, which affected him immensely. There was such a change in him that in 1915 he decided to join the army so that he could in his own words “help these boys”. It wasn’t until Owen reached the horrors of the trenches in France that he started writing truly incredible poems from the front line. Owens Poems became more depressing as the war went on; this is demonstrated in the change of descriptive words used from poem ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ to ‘Mental cases’ (one of his last poems written before his time of death).
‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ Translated, means: it is sweet and honorable to die for your country. This poem was originally dedicated to Jessie Pope, who wrote poems that urged young men to enlist in the military. Owen is basically refuting Jessie Pope's opinion that it is considered a glorious act to enlist and fight for your country. “my friend you would not tell with such high zest to children ardent for some desperate glory, the old lie: Dulce et Decorum Est” this quote is evident of the fact that it is a complete and utter lie. It is not sweet nor honorable to die for your country. “Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, but someone was still yelling out and stumbling And floundering like a man in fire or lime, Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under the sea, I saw him drowning.” The use of exclamation marks and capitalization show shift in tine as men