The Horrors of War in Wilfred Owens Poem, Dulce et Decorum Est Essay e

The Horrors of War in Wilfred Owens Poem, Dulce et Decorum Est From the earliest records of history, accounts of war incur been portrayed as valiant acts of heroism. Children and adults alike have gathered in concert to hear tales of war and its glory. From the stories of Alexander the Great to recent-day movies like Saving Private Ryan, war has been praised and exalted with words such as bravery, honor, and freedom. However, Wilfred Owens poetry Dulce et Decorum Est shows the ugly, horrible side of fighting. By use of gripping words and vivid descriptions, Owen paints incredible pictures of what World War I was really like. He snap away the glory and drama and reveals the real essence of fighting fear, torture, and death. No longer are we left with good feelings and pretty phrases like Liberty and arbitrator for all Instead, our hearts grieve over what these sol leavers had to suffer through. Every line of the poem rebuts the Roman poet Horaces quotation Dulce et decorum est pr o patria mori--It is sweet and becoming to die for ones country. The poem employs three different devices that work together to refute the belief that war is heroic and glorious the speakers descriptions, his similes, and his memories.First, the narrators descriptions are clear and effective, leaving no bitterness round what the soldiers had to endure with trenches and table mustard gas. The poem does non use vague descriptions such as It was terrible and horrible. Instead, the fifth and sixth lines read Men marched asleep. umteen had lost their boots / But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind. Right away, the reader can almost see the weary soldiers heading towards their distant rest. They are so weary that some are sleeping while... ...ys will be a terrible, terrible thing.In conclusion, Dulce et Decorum Est is a magnificent tapestry of poetry. By the speakers descriptions, similes, and memories, Owen weaves reality and memories together to create a masterpiece. Through the speaker, Owen seems to express his grief over those who have died fighting. He sees no glory in men dying horrible deaths from mustard gas, writhing with pain and agony. No, he does not feel that it is sweet or becoming to die for ones country. His opinion is expressed throughout the whole poem. Yet, his poem is not one of beauty. It has no pleasant words or pleasing sounds it does not bring good feelings or happy smiles. But it is one of truth, the truth about war.Works CitedOwen, Wilfred. Dulce Et Docorum Est. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Ed. M. H. Abrams. New York Norton & Company, 2000.