Wilfred Owen: Not Your Typical War Poet

Wilfred Owen is arguably one of the most well-known and unique war poets of his time. Born and raised in Britain, Owen lived a relatively normal childhood. Owen severed in the British army when he turned nineteen. During the war Owen experienced gruesome inhumane acts and it completely changed his outlook and views on life. The war was the reason why Owen actually became a poet, because he protested many situations that went on during the war. Owen had different views on war, which is why he started to create poems to express his feelings and speak out to what he believed in. Since Owen was not a typical war soldier all his poems relate to how he is against war and how some actions in war are simply inhumane. Due to the fact he protests against war and inhumane acts, Owen received a saintly reputation as if he was a kind man and he could do no harm to civilization; however Owen is also viewed as a criminal though because he was homosexual. During the time of World War I, homosexuality was considered a crime and people were prosecuted. Between all Owens views and beliefs he could not win because he was always criticized and reprimanded. Owen had always been in these situations, which is a main reason he began to write. When Owen had different outlooks he would resort to writing because that was his way of speaking out and being an advocate. Unfortunately Owen died age the young age of twenty-five during battle. Owens death is extremely ironic because he died in a place that he was so against and affected by. Wilfred Owen is a distinctive war poet that is viewed in various ways due to the different lifestyle he had in his short lifetime.

The uniqueness and saintly reputation Owen carried with him is reflected his poetry about the d...

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...red Owen New York: New directions publishing corp., 1963

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