Comparing The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

Comparing The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

Two poems that contend with the subject of war are "The Soldier" by

Rupert Brooke and "Dulce et decorum Est" written by Wilfred Owen. Both

poets fought and died in the First World War.

Although both poems concentrate on the theme of "dying for your

country during war" their treatment of the subject is exceedingly

different.

Owen, in his poem "Dulce et decorum Est" effectively conveys the

horror of war and the suffering of the soldiers who fought in it,

through use of Simile, Onomatopoeia, alliteration and effective word

choice.

The poet uses Simile and to emphasize the deplorable physical

condition of the soldiers returning from the front line of the battle.

"Bent bubble, like old beggars under sacs

Knock-kneed we cursed through sludge"

I find this Simile particularly effective as it gives me an image of

the soldiers, in their uniforms that are the same earthy colour and

weight as damp sacks. Swearing and coughing as they plough through the

thick mud. It makes me realise the exhaustion and state of ill health

the men suffered. The poet cleverly uses the word "cursed" instead of

"coursed" to show the soldiers disillusionment with their situation.

The soldiers' exhaustion is also highlighted later in the first Stanza

in the Metaphor

"Drunk with fatigue"

The men are not literally inebriated but due to their extreme

tiredness their senses are dulled, they cannot concentrate and they

find it difficult to control their limbs and speech as if they were

intoxicated

When a gas attack begins the soldiers burst into motion

Owen describes the onset of a gas attack.

"Gas!GAS!Quick boys!"

The emphasis on the second gas shows that the men's senses are so

numbed they have not heard this warning the first time.

"An ecstasy of fumbling"

ensues as they try to put on their gas masks. This is effective as it

shows the change of pace, from the soldiers moving at a slow, steady