War Poetry

This blog task assigned by Prakruti Mam.

1)  A Comparison of Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen and The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson

War is a recurrent theme in English literature, eliciting both glorification and criticism. While Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est and Alfred Lord Tennyson's The Charge of the Light Brigade both center on the experiences of war, their approaches and tones differ significantly. Owen’s poem, written during World War I, exposes the brutal reality of modern warfare, while Tennyson’s Victorian poem celebrates the heroism and sacrifice of soldiers. A comparative analysis of the two works highlights the distinct styles, language, and thematic treatments, as well as their differing views on war's impact and morality.

Treatment of the Theme of War:

Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est portrays the horrific consequences of war, rejecting the glorification of combat. It is an anti-war poem that describes the suffering and futility faced by soldiers on the battlefield. Owen recounts his experiences in the trenches of World War I, depicting men as physically broken, mentally drained, and emotionally devastated. The central message is that the phrase "Dulce et Decorum Est pro patria mori" (it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country) is a lie propagated by those who romanticize war without understanding its grim reality.

In contrast, Tennyson’s The Charge of the Light Brigade glorifies the bravery of soldiers, despite the strategic blunders that led to their deaths. Written during the Crimean War, it celebrates the heroism of the Light Brigade, who followed orders unquestioningly, charging into battle even in the face of inevitable death. Tennyson uses the poem as a tribute to their courage and sacrifice, focusing on their loyalty and honor rather than the horror of their deaths.

Thus, while Owen condemns war and its propagandists, Tennyson reveres the soldiers who fight selflessly, framing war as a noble endeavor.

Style and Structure:

The stylistic approaches of the two poems further emphasize their contrasting themes. Dulce et Decorum Est is free verse with a loosely structured rhyme scheme, mirroring the chaos and unpredictability of war. Owen employs a conversational tone, which intensifies the intimacy and immediacy of his message. His use of vivid imagery and raw descriptions—such as "bent double, like old beggars under sacks"—effectively conveys the physical toll on soldiers. The poem’s progression from trudging soldiers to the gas attack and finally to the bitter conclusion is linear, reflecting the brutal and unrelenting nature of war.

The Charge of the Light Brigade, on the other hand, employs a regular meter and rhyme scheme, creating a rhythmic, almost chant-like quality that mirrors the galloping charge of horses. Tennyson uses repetition, such as "Half a league, half a league, half a league onward," to create a sense of momentum and inevitability. The structured stanzas reflect the disciplined, coordinated bravery of the soldiers, despite the chaos of their doomed mission. This controlled form contrasts with Owen’s chaotic and fragmented style, underscoring the difference in their portrayals of war.

Language and Imagery:

Owen uses visceral and grotesque imagery to highlight the grim reality of modern warfare. His description of a gas attack—"as under a green sea, I saw him drowning"—conveys the helplessness and horror faced by soldiers. The language is graphic and shocking, with phrases like "guttering, choking, drowning" forcing readers to confront the physical suffering inflicted by war. Owen’s diction is deliberately unpoetic, emphasizing the stark contrast between the idealized view of war and its brutal reality.

In contrast, Tennyson’s language is heroic and elevated, creating a sense of grandeur. Words like "boldly," "noble," and "glory" reinforce the valor of the soldiers. The imagery in The Charge of the Light Brigade focuses on the action and spectacle of battle, such as "Cannon to right of them, / Cannon to left of them," which creates a vivid picture of the soldiers' perilous charge. While Tennyson acknowledges the loss and futility of the mission ("Not the six hundred"), he refrains from dwelling on the physical suffering of the soldiers, focusing instead on their bravery and sacrifice.

Tone and Mood:

The tone of Dulce et Decorum Est is bitter and accusatory. Owen directly addresses the audience, particularly those who perpetuate the myth of war’s nobility, with a searing critique: "My friend, you would not tell with such high zest / To children ardent for some desperate glory, / The old Lie." The mood is somber and horrifying, reflecting the psychological scars left by war.

In contrast, the tone of The Charge of the Light Brigade is reverential and celebratory, even as it acknowledges the tragedy of war. Tennyson immortalizes the Light Brigade’s charge as an act of selfless heroism, and the mood is one of awe and admiration. The phrase "When can their glory fade?" suggests that their bravery transcends their loss, elevating their sacrifice to legendary status.

Similarities:

Despite their differences, both poems share certain commonalities. Both acknowledge the inevitability of death in war and commemorate the soldiers who face it. While Owen condemns the glorification of war, he does not belittle the suffering of soldiers, much like Tennyson, who reveres the courage of the Light Brigade. Both poems are deeply emotional, though their emotional tones—grief and bitterness in Owen’s case, and admiration in Tennyson’s—are distinct.

2)  War Poetry and the Larger Questions of Life.

War poetry is a deeply resonant form of literature that captures the multifaceted human experiences arising from conflict. While not all war poetry is explicitly "anti-war," it invariably grapples with profound questions of identity, innocence, guilt, loyalty, courage, compassion, humanity, duty, desire, and death. Two poems that vividly illustrate this are Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est and Rupert Brooke’s The Soldier. Although their perspectives on war differ, both explore the existential and moral complexities associated with it.

Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est is a harrowing critique of the glorification of war. Through visceral imagery and poignant language, Owen questions the notion of duty and the loss of innocence in the face of brutal conflict. The poem opens with a graphic depiction of soldiers "bent double, like old beggars under sacks," challenging the idealized image of noble warriors. The physical and emotional toll of war is evident as the men, stripped of their youth and vigor, are reduced to mere shadows of themselves. Owen’s account of a gas attack, culminating in the haunting image of a dying soldier "guttering, choking, drowning," underscores the inhumanity of war. The poem’s conclusion, addressing the "old Lie" of the Latin phrase Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori ("It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country"), highlights Owen’s denunciation of war’s romanticized narrative. While Dulce et Decorum Est may seem overtly anti-war, its true power lies in its exploration of the human cost of war—identity reduced to suffering, innocence shattered, and the moral anguish of witnessing death.

In contrast, Rupert Brooke’s The Soldier presents an idealistic and

patriotic view of war. Written in the early stages of World War I, the poem reflects the prevailing sense of duty and loyalty to one’s nation. Brooke personifies England as a nurturing mother, whose "flowers to love" and "ways to roam" have shaped the speaker’s identity. The poem’s serene tone and imagery evoke a sense of honor and peace, even in death. The speaker envisions his sacrifice as a noble act, asserting that "there’s some corner of a foreign field / That is forever England." For Brooke, dying in war is not a loss but a transcendence—an opportunity to perpetuate the values and spirit of one’s homeland. However, even within this idealism, The Soldier wrestles with questions of identity and desire. The speaker’s willingness to give his life reveals the complexity of loyalty and the interplay between personal sacrifice and collective duty.

Together, these poems reveal that war poetry is not confined to being "anti-war" but is deeply concerned with life’s essential questions. Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est emphasizes the suffering and moral ambiguity of war, while Brooke’s The Soldier reflects the allure of patriotic devotion. Both explore identity—whether fractured by trauma or solidified by allegiance—and engage with themes of death, duty, and humanity. War poetry, in its various forms, serves as a lens through which we confront the paradoxes of human existence, the fragility of life, and the enduring complexities of conflict.

3)  Comparing Ivor Gurney's The Target and Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est

Ivor Gurney’s The Target and Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est are poignant reflections on World War I, yet they differ significantly in their tone, themes, and perspective. Both poems depict the grim realities of war, challenging romanticized views of conflict, but they do so in distinct ways, shaped by the poets’ unique experiences and sensibilities.

Similarities:

Realism and Brutality: Both poems starkly depict the harrowing realities of war. Gurney’s The Target expresses a soldier’s anguish over killing another man, reflecting the emotional toll of taking life in battle. Similarly, Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est conveys the physical suffering and horror of war, exemplified by the gas attack and the vivid image of a soldier “guttering, choking, drowning.”

Anti-Romanticism: Both poets challenge the glorified view of war. In The Target, Gurney questions the morality of war and the justifications for violence, while Owen directly critiques the propaganda that idealizes dying for one’s country, condemning the “old Lie” of patriotic sacrifice.

Focus on the Individual Soldier: Both poems center on the individual soldier’s perspective, emphasizing personal suffering over grand historical narratives. Gurney presents a soldier’s internal conflict and guilt, while Owen immerses readers in the physical and psychological toll of war.

Differences:

Tone and Perspective: Gurney’s The Target is introspective and contemplative, focusing on the soldier’s moral dilemma and emotional struggle. The speaker wonders how he will face his mother after taking another’s life, revealing the intimate human cost of war. In contrast, Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est adopts a more accusatory tone, aiming to expose the deceit of war glorification through vivid, almost journalistic detail.

Themes of Guilt and Death: Gurney’s poem is deeply preoccupied with guilt and moral accountability. The speaker wrestles with his conscience, reflecting on the weight of his actions. Owen’s poem, while addressing death, focuses more on the physical suffering and dehumanization of soldiers, portraying them as victims of societal lies rather than moral agents.

Expression of Emotion: Gurney’s tone is personal and reflective, seeking understanding or redemption. Owen, however, is overtly critical, channeling anger and frustration into his condemnation of those who perpetuate war’s myths.

Conclusion :

In comparing war poems from the English literary canon and those studied in this unit, it becomes evident that war poetry explores universal human experiences beyond mere anti-war sentiments. For instance, Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum Est and Ivor Gurney’s The Target both confront the brutal realities of war but do so with different emphases. Owen critiques the glorification of war through vivid imagery of suffering, while Gurney reflects on the soldier’s moral conflict and guilt.

Similarly, these works engage with themes such as identity, loyalty, and death, resonating with the idea that war poetry addresses life’s "large questions." While Owen adopts a direct and accusatory tone, Gurney’s introspective style reveals a personal struggle. Both, however, reject romanticized portrayals of war, uniting in their commitment to capturing its raw human cost. Through their language and tone, these poets demonstrate the enduring complexity of war’s impact on humanity.

Additional Resource:

Reference:

“Compare and Contrast Dulce et Decorum Est and Charge of the Light Brigade.” Bartleby, https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Compare-and-Contrast-Dulce-Et-Decorum-Est-FKNH54L3RZYA#:~:text=Dulce%20Et%20Decorum%20Est%20is,more%20of%20a%20positive%20tone. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Owen, wilfred. “Dulce et Decorum Est.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46560/dulce-et-decorum-est. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.