The Importance of "Dulce"

             Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen, is one of those rare examples of poetry that, although relatively skimpy when it comes to symbolic meaning that probes deeper than the surface of the text, is so wonderfully written that it casts itself far above the status of an ordinary poem. It is not surprising then, that Dulce et Decorum Est, written during World War I, is sometimes described as one of the most important anti-war poems ever written, for it stands out among literature, forcing its straightforward yet powerful message upon the reader. The poem cannot simply be read and disregarded; it leaves a haunting and enduring impression that should force even the staunchest war supporters to consider war's downside.
             Dulce et Decorum Est has a standard a-b rhyme scheme throughout. It is interesting to note, however, that, when first read, the rhyme scheme can be overlooked by the reader (as it was by me), as it is so seamlessly woven into the rhythm of the poem. Many of the poem's lines are in iambic pentameter, though some of the most crucial lines do not fit into this rhythm.
             The poem tells a story, which is relatively simple when examined in terms of events. The speaker, marching among fellow soldiers during World War I, encounters a gas attack by enemy troops. All but one of the soldiers put their gas masks on in time. The speaker sees the one unfortunate man choking to death in a rather grotesque manner. The speaker of the poem is from that point forward haunted in his dreams by the vile image, and implores that people stop saying "dulce et decorum est pro patria mori," a Latin saying which means "it is sweet and proper to die for one's country." This saying, Owens argues, is nothing but a terrible lie. The entire poem, in effect, is an effort to dispel this all-too-common and immeasurably harmful myth.
             Every single line of Dulce et Decorum Est successfully strengthens its argumen...

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The Importance of "Dulce". (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 15:55, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/20053.html