A Comparison of Dulce et Decorum est and The Charge of the Light Brigade

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A Comparison of Dulce et Decorum est and The Charge of the Light Brigade

“The Charge of the Light Brigade” written by Lord Alfred Tennyson and

“Dulce et Decorum est” written by Wifred Owen have different

perspectives of the wars as they are two different wars written at

different times. Tennyson was not at the battle and never saw or

experienced anything, which occurred. On the other hand Owen was

present and experienced everything; he saw a friend dying knowing he

was helpless to save him. Tennyson was only able to write the poem as

he read a press report and expanded on it; the press report was

written as propaganda, glorifying the British soldiers and making out

that they were all able to die for their country as their sergeant

ordered them to.

Tennyson’s use of language is very different to Owen. Owen uses more

death scenes and uses imagery to show he was there, however Tennyson

was not at the battle, and so he wrote a poem less personal. Tennyson

uses repetition frequently to show the power and force of the cavalry,

he also uses several powerful images trying to put the British in as

the winning people.

In comparison Owen uses many different rhythmic lines.

“Bent doubles, like old beggars under sacks,

Knock-need, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,

Till on the haunting flares we turned our back

And towards our distant rest began to trudge.”

The rhythm of the language changes according to what the soldiers are

doing, there they are tired and finding it difficult to walk, their

steps are slow and laboured like language. Owen is putting across that

it is sweet and honourable to die for your country, but it is ironic,

it is a very distressing place to stay and the horrific imag...

... middle of paper ...

...nt styles and with

different perspectives to two different wars. Owens “Dulce et Decorum

est” and Tennyson “The Charge of the Light Brigade” are both showing

what happened in two different wars where you have a first person

perspective and a 3rd persons perspective. Owen is trying to show that

all young people may think it is a honour to die for your country, but

it is also an horrific sight; Tennyson is trying to show that it is an

honour and memorable to fight for your country. No one should be

forced to fight in a war against his or her own will; war can cause a

great deal of suffering and horrific consequences.

Owen wants to show the people what war is really like and would like

to help people and stop them from dieing however Tennyson just wants

the young lads to go and fight and be honourable for their country

never the less wants them to help.

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