Pro War Attitude Conveyed in Robert Bridges' Poem Wake Up, England

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In the poem “Wake Up, England” by Robert Bridges, the speaker expresses his pro-war attitude and urges his English citizens to support the war by playing with our fears, duty and patriotism.

In stanza one and two, the speaker asks the citizens to stand up for England because now is not a time for happiness. This is shown when, ‘Thou peace-maker, fight/Stand, England, for honor.’ (Line 2-3); meaning that the speaker is wanting the citizens of England to fight, either physically in the war or supporting it. As stated in stanza two, the enemy is dangerous and is advancing, so the English must not be idle; ‘Thy cavil’ and play; the foe is upon thee.’ The word “foe” is used to represent the opponent of England. The English need to be more alert and take initiative.

To reinforce his point about the seriousness of war, the speaker alerts us about England’s enemy. As stated in stanza 3 the enemy’s are coming: ‘The monarch Ambition/Hath harnessed the slaves’. This states that the enemy is gathering an army and ready to fight England. In the following lines of stanza 3 the speaker contin...

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