(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

"Dulce et Decorum Est"


The poet's descriptive power and imagery is excellent throughout this paragraph. We receive a detailed, if gruesome image of the background and the soldiers. The rhythm is this paragraph is quite slow, as if in time with the imagined marching of the soldiers. The line "deaf even to the hoots of gas shells dropping softly behind" is a very important one as it suggests that they are not out of danger yet. The line where Owen compares the soldiers to old "hags" is also very potent. These, young men who were once full of spirit are now crushed, both mentally and physically. Another important line is "limped on Blood-shod" . "Blood-shod"? Horses are normally shod and in this case, Owen is referring to the fact that they have lost their boots or had them worn away, but they cannot stop. So they stumble along, feet caked or "shod" in blood. Owen presents us with a dehumanising vision of men, your heart wrenches for their suffering. Owen uses many metaphors in this poem, an example is "distant rest" where we are reminded of the fact that for some soldiers, this could be a permanent one. .
             The second stanza presents a dramatic change from the first. It begins with a gas-shell landing near, sending the soldiers into a panic. The rhythm of the poem changes, becoming faster. What is interesting about this paragraph is that after the initial chaos, all attention is focused upon the death of the soldier. Another change is that instead of being the silent observer, we are now sharing the thoughts of Owen. The emotions also subtly change. We now feel horror and pity at what is occurring and we can understand the helplessness that Owen is feeling. A powerful metaphor in this stanza is when Owen compares the soldier's reaction to the gas as though he was drowning. There is also the reference to the fact that Owen is wearing a gas mask-"Dim through the misty panes and thick green light". As with the ending lines in the first paragraph, the last lines in the second paragraph also give us an important piece of information that changes our perspective.


Essays Related to "Dulce et Decorum Est"


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question