“Dulce et Decorum Est” Wilfred OwenLiterature & Language Essay

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“Dulce et Decorum Est” Wilfred Owen
“Dulce et Decorum Est” is a popular anti-war poem written by Wilfred Owen. In this poem, Owen focuses on war, violence, and the futility of the soldiers. The title is in Latin and it can be translated as “sweet and honorable.” This phrase means that it is a good thing to serve one’s country and it is also good for one to die for the country. "Dulce et Decorum Est" provides a dramatic and unforgettable account of the physical and psychological horrors that war can bring. In this poem, Owen has employed various literary devices such as onomatopoeia, similes, and metaphors to present the mind-disturbing images of the war.
Simile
From the first stanza of the poem, Owen uses strong similes to send a strong warning. For instance "Bent …like old beggars under sacks…" is a simile that likens the marching soldiers to the beggar. This simile creates a notion that the soldiers are tired and worn out. In the second line of the poem, the poet asserts that the soldiers were "coughing like hags…" This simile emphasizes the condition of the soldiers. It shows how the physical and mental health of the soldiers is deteriorating. The poet compares them to old women or probably hags. The poet also compares the face of the soldier to the devil by saying "… hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin." This suggests that the face of the soldier was covered with blood. Owen challenges the belief that it is good for the soldiers to die for their own country yet the government will...