Dulce et Decorum Est Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the story of Dulce et Decorum Est ?
In “Dulce et Decorum Est,” he illustrates
the brutal everyday struggle of a
company of soldiers, focuses on the story
of one soldier’s agonizing death, and
discusses the trauma that this event left
behind
Why did Wilfred Owen write Dulce and what quotation helped get his message across ?
Owen wrote Dulce to highlight the
difference between the glorious image of
war (spread by those not actually fighting
in it) and war’s horrifying reality.
Owen used quotation from the
Roman poet Horace
What does the latin phrase Dulce et Decorum Est mean and why did Owen use it in his poem ?
It means it is sweet and proper to die for you country.
He used it in his poems to combat the lies / propaganda about how glorious war was
What is the context about Wilfred owen ?
- He fought and died in the first world war war and much of his poetry is about the horrors of war
- He was one of the most famous war poets
- Born in 1893 and died in 1918, just one week before war ended
- His mother received the telegram
informing her of his death on Armistice
Day, as the church bells were ringing - His poetry is characterised by powerful
descriptions of the conditions faced by
soldiers in the trenches
When was the poem published ?
1920
What is the structure of the poem ?
The first stanza has a slow pace reflecting the soldiers’ feeling that the
march will never end.
However, the second stanza is fast paced through one word sentences and
exclamation marks. This reflects the sense of panic as the gas attack
unfolds.
The pace slows again in the final stanza to reflect the feeling that war is
never ending. Owen uses the second person (“you”, “my friend”) to
address the reader personally, creating an uncomfortable and accusatory
tone. These final lines are clearly aimed at those in command.
What are the possible themes and links ?
Impact of war - Mametz wood, The manhunt
Patriotism - The solider
How does the opening image of the soldiers “bent double “ , “coughing like hags” shows the harsh reality of war ?
It suggest they have been physically broken by war
How does Owen present the brutal conditions of war ?
He shows the Soldiers exhausted and dirty as he describes the soldiers - “trudge” , “march half asleep” and they are “drunk with fatigue”
Why does Owen use exclamation marks and capitalism in Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!
To suggest the urgency and fear of the impending gas attack
Why did Owen use the stand-alone stanza together with the verbs “guttering”, “choking”, “drowning”
It reinforces the horror of the soldier caught in the attack.
The verb “drowning” also suggests the impenetrability of the gas and how it is invading the soldiers lungs
What does the repetition of dreams “In all my dreams, before my helpless sight” emphasise ?
It emphasises how war has infiltrated his sleep, so he can never be at peace not even when he’s sleeping.
As well as this the repetition of the word “dreams” that has positive connotations of innocence and peace, in contrast with graphic and violent image of the of the solider suffering which has negative connotations of death and a loss of innocence.
Representing how soldiers dream to be at war but are faced with the brutal reality of war
Why does Owen describe Dulce et decorum Est Pro patria mori “ the old lie” ?
Because it allows Owen to highlight how war is not honourable or glorious, but cruel, degrading, dirty and horrifying.
