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Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen


This produces a sense of deliriousness, as the soldiers are "Drunk with fatigue." This metaphor sets an irrational tone because of the condition they are in and their circumstance. It expresses how the men are so tired and worn, that they can not even walk straight. It conveys to the responder that the once strong bodies of the men, are now weak and can barely support their own weight due to their exhaustion. The men's lack of sleep has been likened to the effect of drunkenness. This desperation to keep going regardless of their fatigued circumstance is shown clearly. .
             The propaganda used during the war to attract young people to join the army, was a lie and misrepresented. The propaganda is shown in the title and last line of the poem, "Dulce Et Decorum Est," meaning that it is "sweet and right," "Pro patria mori," "to die for one's country." The propaganda about war is juxtaposed to the rest of the poem, indicating to the responder that it is not fair or correct, and that joining war will not bring young men honour and praise as promised. The juxtaposition gives a contrasting effect between the glorified propaganda and the reality of war. Wilfred Owen makes a point about how wrong the propaganda is, by comparing it to the reality and consequences of war portrayed in the majority of the poem. This therefore enhances the fact that the propaganda used in the war to attract new soldiers, was false and a misrepresentation. .
             The poem argues that it is not honourable to fight in a war, as it corrupts and takes away the innocence of the men fighting. This is portrayed through "incurable sores on innocent tongues." The alliteration of the "in" in "incurable" and "innocent," emphasises and intensifies the image by being able to visualise it with more detail. It makes the line more memorable and draws the attention of the responder to the words themselves and what they signify in relation to the rest of the quote.


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