Dulce et Decorum est

• Introduction


  'Dulce Et Decorum Est' by Wilfred Owen is a powerful anti-war poem that deals with [insert question] through showing the physical deterioration of soldiers, the true horrors of war and by exploring the fallacy of military glory. Owen successfully [insert question] By using a range of dramatic poetic techniques including similes, imagery and poetic metres that captures the harrowing experiences faced by the soldiers in WW1. Owen warns the reader and future generations about the brutality of war and its true, inglorious nature.
• Iambic pentameter

  The poem follows an ABABCDCD rhyme scheme and is mostly written in iambic pentameter. Owen does not write in traditional form, the stanzas are uneven lengths as well as irregular rhyme schemes and metre to mimic the chaotic nature of war.
• Topic Sentence - The physical deterioration of the soldiers

  One way in which Wilfred Owen [insert question] is through the physical deterioration of the soldiers. This is seen from the opening lines of the poem
• Owen describes the soldiers as:

  "Bent double like old beggars under sacks,

  Knock need, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge"


  The use of similes immediately undermines the traditional heroic nature of war and the soldiers, it compares the soldiers to unheroic things, old woman and sick beggars who are finding it difficult to breathe.

  This creates an inglorious atmosphere, these men aren't strong but 'bent' nearly in half stooping forward with exhaustion.

  
  

  The unusual word choice of the verb 'cursed' has a double meaning: the soldiers are swearing as they walk, but also feel they are 'cursed' by their involvement in the war.
• The soldiers are said to 'trudge' through the thick mud of the trenches.


  Owen's word choice is not heroic as we would expect but exhausted and worn down.

  The men aren't marching like there glorious solider image created but slowly with difficulty making their way through the horrendous conditions.
• Link to Question - Physical deterioration

  The harsh reality of the scene evokes the [insert question] as...
• "All went lame; all blind, Drunk with fatigue deaf even to the hoots"


  The reptition of 'all' emphasis the completeness of the suffering.

  The vivid description shows the horrifying physician condition of the soldiers, the word choice of 'drunk' and death' continues to stress their physical deterioration from pain and exhaustion.

  The soldiers senses have become so dulled from all the bombs landing that they dont even notice the loud noises that they make.

  This further evokes the message that [insert question]
• Topic Sentence - The Horrors of War

  Furthermore, Owen's description of the horrors of war effectively [insert question] During a gas attack Owen tells the devastating story that he personally witnessed of a soldiers death who didn't manage to fit his gas mask in time, and illustrates the traumatic nature of such an event.
• Owen describes the soldier who got caught in the chemical attack as: "Yelling... Stumbling...Floundering"


  There is nothing glorious about this mans death. The trio of inglorious verbs emphasises this, characterising the soldier as helpless, meaningless and with a loss of control.

  'Floundering' suggests he was flapping about in an ungainly way. Connotations of desperation, failure, death and confusion.
• The simile "Like a man in fire or lime.."


  Compares the soldier to someone being burnt alive. Just as being burnt ali be is an incredible painful and traumatic way to die so too was the man's death as a result of chemical warfare. The ellipsis suggests the image of the man was replaying in Wilfred mind.
• "I saw him drowning"


  Owen uses a first person point of view that gives the reader a vivid sense of truth, and horror from the event.
• "In all my dreams before my helpless sight he plunges at me guttering, chocking, drowning"


  Wilfred Owen sees this man's death right in front of his eyes, and everyday after that, the image replaying in his mind over and over again. This goes to shows the people who do survive war have to carry the PTSD home with them.

  The word choice of plunges creates a nightmares impact of this violent verb choice jumping out at Owen in his dreams.

  The trio of horrible onomatopoeic verbs creates a vivid image of this man's death.

  Owen repeated 'drowning' rather that using a proper rhyme this is to emphasises his horror.
• Link to question

  The visceral description emphasises [insert question] as
• Topic Sentence - The fallacy of military glory

  Lastly, Owen shoes [insert question] through his anger towards the fallacy of military glory. The entire 12 lines is a single sentence leading to the climax where Owen finally makes his accusation, addressing all those who perpetuate the 'Old lie
• "Like a devil sick of a sin"


  Simile compares the man to a devil tired of doing evil, this reminds us of all the horrific things soldiers have to do and see - a fact omitted by those who glamorise war.
• "Incurable sores on innocent tongues"


  The simile compares the propaganda used to damaging lesions in the mouths of the innocent.

  This is effective as [insert question]
• Owen directly addresses those who perpetuate the 'Old lie' by saying:

  "My friend you would not tell with such high zest to children so ardent for some desperate military glory"


  Owen refers to them as his friend this is ironic as he is not feeling friendly - he is extremely angry. The emotive word choice of 'children' which is the innocent he previously referred to.

  Owen uses a dismissive tone, 'desperate' undermines 'glory' showing his belief that it is a lie.
• Finally Owen makes his accusation, and asserts the poems knockout punch in the final lines of the poem "The old lie dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"


  Saying that it is not sweet and fitting to die for ones country.
• Conclusion

  In conclusion, Wilfred Owen's poem 'Dulce et Decorum Est', delivers an effective message about [insert question] Through the use of every poetic technique available to emphasise it, Owen viciously attacks the fallacy of military glory. [reference to question] This poem serves as a deeply impactful warning to future generations about the brutality of war and its true, inglorious nature.