Meaninglessness Glory in Wilfred Owen's Dulce Et Decorum Est

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Meaninglessness Glory in Wilfred Owen's Dulce Et Decorum Est

It is sweet and proper to die for one’s country. Sweet! And decorous! If in some smothering dreams you too could pace behind that wagon, my friend, you would not tell with such high zest to children ardent for some desperate glory that old lie…. Wilfred Owen titles his poem the Latin translation of what he refers to as “The old Lie” (Dulce Et Decorum Est), and sets out to disprove it. Using poetry and imagery as his primary tools, Owen recalls the death of his friend in disturbing detail, displaying the meaninglessness of the ordeal.

Owen attempts to deny the glory that many believe is to be had through dying in war. Instead of a more traditional argument, however, Owen opts for poetry. In his poem, he tells the tale of soldiers struggling. The struggling turns to anguish once gas is unleashed upon them, preying on one man who was not quick enough to put on his helmet in time. “Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.” They quickly put him in a wagon an...

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