Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen: Experiences

In his time he besides composed some war numbers. His incredible works also Inspired others to write war poetry e. g. Siegfried Sassoon. However the most famous meter that Owen is renowned for is Dulce et Decorum Est Dulce et decorum Est Is a poem written by Wilfred Owen describing his experiences of WWI.The poem is titled Dulce et decorum est means it is sweet and fitting to die for ones country though the poem talks about something rattling opposite thus mocking the state custodyt and making it a grim comment foc manipulationd on those who ncourage conflict and proclaim It as being glorious. Dulce et Decorum Est reveals the truth behind conflict the grief and suffering It causes. The author with the use of graphic vision and diction tries to convey the horrors of conflict and war. It also shows the futility of conflict and in a quite explicit manner the true reality of terminalThe ideas the poet wants us to consider ar the horrors of war and Its sheer and utter futility. O wen also wants us to think about the propaganda that is put forward by the government and how it differs from the particular reality of conflict. The poet is trying to say if you do get through the war you must experience mental torture and live with guilt ALL your flavor long We know this when Owen writes In all my dreams. before my helpless sight he plunges at me guttering, choking, drowning. Owen is telling us that he is haunted by the men that died in the gas attack and he cant help them no matter how much he wants to.This poem has a miserable and gloomy atmosphere to it scarce like the earth which has an ozone layer around it. In this war poem the mood is very grim and poignant too. There is an effective use of allegory like a devils offensive of sin because it comp ars the situation to the devil. The devil Is known to be startle cause of sin but even If he Is sick of it then it MUST be very catastrophic There is also a great use of sibilance. This is effective because whe n said it will put accent on sick to explain how awful of a level the conflict had escalated to.There is a demolitionly air of resignation around which makes the reader lament the death of the soldiers. Owens pick of diction is used to create great effect. When he uses a simile in the irst line like old beggars under sacks. Soldiers are conjectural to be fit men and a comparison with old beggars indicates that they have been brought down to such a level that they are now equal of hunched, tired, unfed, homeless and old people. Even their uniforms have lost their militaristic crispness, as Owen describes them as sacks. This picture is a definite contrast to the idealized marching formations of OF3 mood.Owen again shows the weariness of the soldiers in the last line of that stanza when he say Of gas shells dropping softly behind which is very contrasting from ow gas shells actually drop. They make a loud hissing noise and can be heard from far. Thus Owen shows that the soldiers senses had dulled. Only a completely exhausted soldier with no strength could be in this state of mind to not have heard the gas shells. Another rather unusual choice of diction is coughing like hags, we unsaved through sludge. The simile coughing like hags suggests the men were unhealthy.The position that Owen compares them to hags who are old ugly women suggests that the war has made youthful and healthy into dependable for nothing women ho have a permanent coughing fit due to old age and illness. But limped on, blood- shod. All went lame all screenland gives the feeling that these men have become dehumanized and are reduced to an animal-like state. Thus arousing the question as to how could this is glorious. A side theme is highlighted in the first stanza as to how do young and robust men with bright futures reduced to old ragged men benefit the nationThe graphic and vivid imagery used by Owen in the poem, gives the reader a feeling of horror and makes them question as to ho w humans could do such atrocities. In lines 9-14 there is a change of pace. First the repetition of the monosyllabic word/ onomatopoeia gas which echoes the sound of gun fire and then the oxymoron, ecstasy of fumbling, seems a odd choice of diction, but later turns out to be perfect, as Owen uses it to describe the controlled panic instantly awakened with keen awareness- of youthful men with Just seconds to find a gas mask. Owen uses a metaphor when he says As under a green sea I saw him drowning.This is an extended metaphor which is used to a great extent because it enhances the readers nderstanding of the feeling of being trapped by poisonous gas. This man dies gruesomely after he inhales the gas, ironically showing how helpless and weak a human is against a man made weapon. In the next stanza Owen uses a metaphor guttering, choking, drowning. This is a very gruesome image for life flitter out. These graphic images are very disturbing but play a very effective role in the persua sion of readers to think that conflict is very futile and horrific.Owen uses one of the most descriptive, gruesome and horrifying imagery in the last stanza. When he ses phrases like white eyes writhing in his face,, at every Jolt the blood, come gargling from the froth corrupted lungs/ obscene as cancer bitter as cud. Phrases like these can scud the hardest of men. The graphic images displayed are profoundly affecting and can never be forgotten. Owens use of excellent imagery can sway many readers into be guileving that wars are the worst things that can happen and how dreadful a death a human could face.Owen ties the poem when he says in the last two lines the Old lie Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mort. When Owen has inished his sentence, we understand that there is nothing sweet and fitting to die for ones country. Owen thus creates a Juxtapose, leaving the reader with the feeling of disgust and repulsion. And also shows that conflict can lead to such horrendous and tragic con sequences. poem, making war seem absolutely horrid and revolting, which is Just what Owen wanted to do. Reading this poem left me gasping and shocked. The fact that Owen talks about the illnesses the men endure, within the simile coughing like hags.This helps me to see that the men were in horrendous conditions. The poem shows the callosity of war and absolutely condemns the saying that it is sweet and fitting to fight for ones country. Owens graphic vivid imagery and diction completely ousts all positive words and feelings towards conflict. The fact that I know that Owen was killed one week before the completion of WWI makes it all the poignant as well as the fact that many people are currently indulged in conflict, as we speak, around the world. It makes me ponder on the fact that war will perpetually be glorified and unfortunately, there will always be conflict