Owen's depiction of war is always negative, and the impact of his poetry is reduced by that persistent criticism. To what extent do you agree?.
Owen was one of the greatest war poets are world has ever seen. His poems always speak of the brutality of war. Although Owen's depiction of war is always negative, his persistent criticism increases the impact of his poetry. Looking at the poems, "Dulce Et Decorum Est', "Mental Case" and "Spring Offensive", it will be apparent that Owen uses many different techniques to shock his readers and get his point heard. With techniques such as imagery, alliteration, assonace, metaphors, similies and tone Owen captivates his audience and never hesitates to find a different aspect of war that he needs to cover. .
Owen's persistent criticism makes the impressive impact in his poem "Dulce Et Decorum Est!". This poem is designed to strike a blow to the conscience of the reader as it demands an explanation for the suffering of so many soldiers. Owen wrote "Dulce Et Decorum Est" to focus on the negative impact which war has on the individual soldier. The poem is both direct and descriptive, using both imagery, similies and metaphors to comfront the reader with the realities of war. Imagery is used to startle and shock the reader. As Owen describes the effect of the bumping wagon in which the half dead soldier is thrown.
"the blood.gargling from his froth corrupted lungs" This coarse use of imagery assist Owen in communicating his beliefs of the bitterness of the war. The use of para rhyme is generally consistent throughout the poem and is enough to keep the steady rhythmic quality, whcih enhances the heavy, ponerous image of the war. The mood of "Dulce Et Decorum Est" is angry and condemning and the accusatory tone shocks the reader. The devices of similie and metaphor are also used to emphasise Owen's resentful thoughts of war. Such as the powerful phrase in the first stanza 'blood- shod', this actually dehumanises the young soldiers.