Daniel Kontorovich 6/05/13

‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’Contrast the values of ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ with ‘Who’s for the Game?’

‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ was written to capture the pity and ruthlessness of war by denying the old saying, “It is sweet and noble to die for your country.” Through hellish imagery and many breaks in rhythm, Wilfred Owen conveys the horrors of war in a dramatic piece of writing. On the other side of the wartime poetry spectrum, Jessie Pope captures the excitement and potential thrill that entering a war can bring a man and much like propaganda, it promotes conscription and grabs the attention of young adventurers.

In the first stanza of ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ Owen uses a caesura, “But limped on, blood-shod.” The sudden break of the sentence emphasises the final word ‘blood-shod’ highlighting the gruesome nature of the pains and injuries of war. The caesura displays the vulgar nature of battle and it conveys the idea that nothing is glorious or appealing in war. Owen describes the tired soldiers trudging through the dangerous environment, becoming desensitized to the violence around them. In the short third stanza, Owen writes, ‘In all my dreams, before my helpless sight.’ The notion of nightmares and hell is described when the narrator sees his friend dying and he says that in all that he has seen in his normal world, nothing compares to the horrors that he has seen on the battlefield. No dream could begin to match the level of fear and terror that war creates. Despite the government’s praise for those who participate, through Owen’s eyes, it is not worth experiencing the true revulsions of war for a few medals and a life of regret and sorrow. The idea of jingoism that the government instils into its people in times of war causes many young and naïve people to make irrational decisions to join the cause which leads to many preventable deaths and injuries. Wilfred Owen, in his poem, ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ was essentially trying to warn people that the idea of dying for your country means nothing over living a happy and fulfilling life. By describing the savage ways of war, Owen hopes to discourage people from sacrificing themselves however for those desperate for glory, there is no way to restrain them.

The countering perspective on war is described in ‘Who’s for the Game?’ The grand and spectacular aspect of war is displayed in the first stanza, “the biggest that’s played the red crashing game of a fight?” The physical nature of fighting is what is stressed to be the main attraction of war however Pope turns a blind eye to the fact that many deaths are a product of battle. Pope compares the brave soldiers who will, “tackle the job unafraid?” against the men who stay away, the one, “who thinks he’d rather sit tight?” Pope almost shuns the coward, discouraging ignoring the call and praising those who accept. Pope conveys the same message of giving your country a noble hand by enlisting in the war however unlike Owen, she encourages the prospect. In the third stanza she writes, “much rather come back with a crutch than lie low.” Pope understands the mishaps of war however she endorses them, saying that the trouble of injury does not affect the prize of fighting for your country and surviving. She describes the people who stay away from war as ‘being out of the fun’ and she believes that war is an enjoyable activity that rewards the heroes. The last stanza quotes the famous line, your country is calling for you, and this is when it is evident that Pope’s poem is a piece of propaganda directed at younger people, trying to get them to enlist in the army. Jessie Pope’s poem hides the shock and horror of war and instead coats it in a joyful and patriotic tone that would draw any action seeking young man to the benefits of fighting in wars for your country.

Daniel Kontorovich 6/05/13

Wilfred Owen and Jessie Pope convey the same message in both of their poems, it is honourable to fight and die for your country. However Owen disagrees with the idea by describing the savagery of battle and Pope agrees and advertises the thrills and perks of participating in war. By changing the tone of the poem, two poets can convey a similar message but interpret it in different ways. Owen’s accurate retelling of the perils of battle shows the perspective of a returned soldier whereas Pope’s encouraging advert shows the perspective of the government during times of war.