Sunday, April 14, 2013

Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est

The ironic poem Dulce et Decorum Est written by Wilfred Owen, is about Wilfred as a soldier and what its like to die for your country. The title is completely different from the meaning of the poem. Dulce et Decorum Est means it is sweet and becoming to die for ones country. Owen interprets this completely different. He believes it is not sweet to die for your country. He explains all of this in imagery. "Like old beggars under sacks." this imagery touches your seeing sense. he explains what a soldier is like during a war. Owen proves that war is not worth it. 

"Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight he plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning." This obscene quote is about a man drowning in mustard gas. the imagery of smoke is like a dream to him and numbing to the eyes. That was Owens friend who died. "To children ardent for some glory, the old lie: Dulce at decorum est pro patria mori." People will encourage you to fight for your country but in reality your sentencing yourself to death. This is what Wilfred Owen believes. 

No comments:

Post a Comment