Horror of war Flashcards
Overviews
In Dulce et Decorum Est, Owen shows the true horror of war by describing the soldiers’ suffering in graphic detail. He uses imagery to highlight their exhaustion and pain, making them seem weak and broken instead of heroic. The gas attack is especially terrifying, as one soldier dies in agony while others watch helplessly. Through similes and violent descriptions, Owen paints war as gruesome and dehumanizing. By calling the idea that war is glorious a lie, he makes it clear that war is not noble—it is exhausting, brutal, and filled with suffering.
“Bent double, like old beggars under sacks
The simile “Bent double, like old beggars under sacks” shows how war physically destroys soldiers, making them seem weak and broken instead of strong and heroic. The words “bent double” suggest that they are so exhausted they can’t even stand up straight, as if their bodies are completely worn out. Comparing them to “old beggars” dehumanizes them, showing they have lost their dignity and strength. The noun “sacks” makes it seem like they are carrying a heavy burden, both physically and mentally, symbolizing the extreme suffering of war. Instead of being powerful fighters, they are presented as helpless and miserable, which highlights the horror of war and how it drains the life out of soldiers.
“Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling”
“Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling”
This line captures the sheer panic of a gas attack.The repetition of “Gas! GAS!” uses auditory imagery to reflect the soldier’s panic and urgency, making the reader almost hear the chaos and fear of the battlefield. The noun “ecstasy” usually describes extreme joy, but here it is used ironically to describe mindless, desperate movements. This juxtaposition of positive and negative emotions makes the panic feel even more intense, almost uncontrollable. The verb “fumbling” suggests clumsiness and lack of control, emphasizing how unprepared and vulnerable the soldiers are. This highlights the horror of war by showing that soldiers are not always strong and heroic; instead, they are frightened young men struggling to survive.
“He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.”
“He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.”
This line describes the horrifying death of a soldier after inhaling gas. The verb “plunges” suggests desperation, as if he is trying to reach for help but is beyond saving. The list of three verbs (“guttering, choking, drowning”) makes the suffering feel ongoing and relentless, showing that death in war is neither quick nor painless. This shows the horror of war by proving that it is not glorious or heroic, but slow, painful, and filled with suffering. The word “guttering” is especially disturbing because it is often used to describe a candle flickering before it dies out. This comparison makes the soldier’s life seem fragile and weak, as if he is being snuffed out. The verbs “choking” and “drowning” create a sense of suffocation, making the reader imagine the soldier’s agony in graphic detail. This highlights the horror of war by forcing the reader to witness a gruesome, inescapable death, making it clear that war destroys lives in the most painful ways. The tone here is haunting and horrific. Owen does not shy away from the gruesome details, forcing the reader to witness the soldier’s slow, painful death. This reinforces the horror of war by showing that death is not glorious—it is traumatic, painful, and unforgettable.
His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;
Owen uses a powerful simile in “His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin” to show the horror of war. The comparison to a devil suggests something terrifying and inhuman, as if the soldier’s face is so twisted in pain that even evil itself would be sickened by it. The phrase “sick of sin” is ironic because the devil is supposed to embrace sin, but here, even he is disgusted, emphasizing the extreme suffering of the dying soldier. The adjective “hanging” suggests lifelessness, as if his face is limp and drained of all energy, making him seem like a corpse before he is even dead. The sibilance in “sick of sin”creates a hissing sound, which could reflect the soldier’s struggling breaths or the unsettling nature of his suffering. The graphic imagery forces the reader to picture the disturbing reality of war, making it impossible to see it as noble or honorable. This all builds on Owen’s overall message—that war is cruel, dehumanizing, and anything but glorious.
“The old Lie: Dulce et Decorum est
The phrase “The old Lie: Dulce et Decorum est” is one of the most powerful parts of the poem. The capitalized “Lie” immediately tells the reader that Owen is rejecting the idea that war is glorious. The Latin phrase “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” translates to “It is sweet and right to die for one’s country,” which was often told to young men to encourage them to fight. By calling it a “Lie,” Owen is using direct address to challenge the reader, making them question what they’ve been taught about war. The phrase “old Lie” suggests that this idea has been used for generations, tricking people into thinking war is noble. This links to propaganda, which made war seem heroic when, in reality, soldiers suffered terribly. The final line is also an example of irony because the poem is filled with horrifying images of suffering, proving that war is anything but “sweet.” Owen’s message is clear—war is not glorious; it is brutal, painful, and dehumanizing.
context
The context of Dulce et Decorum Est helps show the horror of war because Wilfred Owen wrote it based on what he actually experienced as a soldier in World War I. He saw how awful war really was, and he uses realistic imagery to show the pain and suffering soldiers went through. At the time, propaganda made war seem heroic and encouraged young men to fight, but Owen completely disagrees. The gas attack in the poem was a real thing that happened in the war, and it caused terrible injuries and deaths. By calling the idea that it is honorable to die for your country “the old Lie,” Owen proves that war is not glorious—it is brutal, exhausting, and full of suffering. His firsthand experience makes the poem even more powerful and shows how terrible war really is.
structure
The structure and form of Dulce et Decorum Est highlight the horrors of war by making the reader feel the soldiers’ exhaustion and panic. The slow, steady rhythm at the start reflects their weakness, contrasting with the usual image of strong soldiers. When the gas attack happens, the pace speeds up with shorter lines, creating panic and chaos. Owen also mixes long lines, making suffering feel endless, with short, sharp ones that hit like shocks. The final section stands as a warning, forcing the reader to see that war is not glorious. These structural changes make the horrors of war impossible to ignore.
conclusion
Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est completely destroys the idea that war is glorious. Through graphic imagery, similes, and metaphors, he shows the true horror of battle—soldiers are exhausted, injured, and dying in agony. The final line calls the belief that it is sweet to die for one’s country a lie, making it clear that war is not heroic but cruel and meaningless. Owen wants the reader to see the suffering of real soldiers and understand that war is nothing but pain, fear, and death.
