Dulce et Decorum Est - Context Flashcards
1
Q
Who was this poem written by?
A
Wilfred Owen
2
Q
When was this poem written?
A
1917 - during WW1
3
Q
What type of poem is this poem?
A
Anti-war poem
4
Q
What did Wilfred Owen do in the war?
A
- got injured in the war in 1917 by falling into a shell hole and suffering concussion - was a soldier in WW1
- after he was injured, he was sent to Edinburgh for treatment and met another WW1 poet - Siegfried Sassoon- writing influenced by him
- he went back to war in 1918 and was awarded the military cross for bravery and leadership
- died in battle one week before the war ended
5
Q
When was the poem published?
A
1920, after his death
6
Q
Discuss the title/last line of the poem and how it conveys his opinion.
A
- ‘Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori’ -> it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country -> these were the lines used by pro-war supporters
- anti-war
- writing in direct opposition to WW1 propaganda, as he did not want war to be glorified - he saw it first hand - Jessie Pope - pro war propaganda poet whose poems were often put to music and published by the Daily Mail - ‘Who’s for the game?’ - encouraged men to enlist and an idealised depiction of war is given
- an example of ‘The old Lie’ told ‘with such high zest’
7
Q
What was chlorine gas and why is it used in the poem?
A
- a popular weapon in WW1
8
Q
What is the poem about?
A
- the suffering of exhausted soldiers marching away from battle
- chlorine gas attack - narrator sees a man die - haunted by the image in his dreams
- graphic picture of soldier’s injuries and uses his experiences to warn against telling people that fighting for their country is honourable
9
Q
What themes are shown in the poem?
A
- pain and suffering
- effects of war
- negative emotions
- death and loss
