Dulce Et Decorum Est Flashcards
Who is the author of ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’?
Wilfred Owen
What is the main theme of ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’?
The horrors of war and the false notion of glory in dying for one’s country.
True or False: ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ was written during World War I.
True
What literary technique does Owen use to describe the soldiers’ condition?
Imagery
Fill in the blank: The poem opens with a description of soldiers as ‘____________, like old beggars under sacks’.
Bent double
What does the phrase ‘Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori’ translate to in English?
‘It is sweet and honorable to die for one’s country.’
In which stanza does the gas attack occur?
The second stanza
What does Owen suggest about the idea of glory in war?
He criticizes it as a lie.
True or False: The poem presents a romanticized view of war.
False
What sensory detail does Owen use to convey the urgency of the gas attack?
The sound of the gas masks being put on.
What does the soldier’s experience in the poem symbolize?
The traumatic impact of war on soldiers.
What is the effect of using the word ‘knock-kneed’?
It emphasizes the physical exhaustion and weakness of the soldiers.
Fill in the blank: The poem’s tone can be described as __________.
Bitter and ironic
What imagery does Owen use to describe a soldier dying from gas?
The soldier drowning in the gas.
What does the final stanza of the poem urge the reader to consider?
The reality of war and the falsehood of patriotic rhetoric.
What is the significance of the word ‘hags’ in the poem?
It refers to the haunting and grotesque nature of the soldiers’ experiences.
True or False: Owen served in the army during World War I.
True
What emotional response does Owen aim to evoke in the reader?
Shock and empathy for the suffering of soldiers.
Which literary device is prevalent in the line ‘And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime’?
Simile
What does the term ‘sludge’ refer to in the poem?
The muddy, grim conditions faced by soldiers.
Fill in the blank: The poem critiques the __________ of war.
Romanticism
What does Owen mean by ‘the old Lie’?
‘Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori’ is referred to as ‘the old Lie.’
What type of war experience does Owen depict in the poem?
The brutal and traumatic realities of trench warfare.
True or False: Owen’s poetry is often characterized by its realistic portrayal of war.
True
What does the imagery of ‘blood-shod’ convey in the poem?
The physical suffering and injuries of the soldiers.
What is the overall message of ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’?
War is horrific, and the glorification of dying for one’s country is a dangerous myth.
What effect does the poem’s structure have on its message?
The irregular structure mirrors the chaos of war.
What historical context influenced the writing of ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’?
The experiences of soldiers in World War I.
What does Owen’s use of firsthand experience bring to the poem?
Authenticity and emotional depth.
What is the significance of the poem’s title?
It highlights the irony of the traditional views of war versus the grim reality.
