Compare & Contrast The Portrayal Of War In Dulce Et Decorum Est & Charge Of The Light Brigade.
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Tennysons Charge of The Light Brigade and Owens Dulce Et Decorum Est both explore warfare. However they each have significant differences. Charge Of The Light Brigade was written in the 18th Century and is about the Crimean War. It explains, in a very majestic manner, that fighting in a war is something every soldier should be extremely proud of. Sacrifices have to be made and bravery is an absolute necessity. Tennyson ignores the darkness and slaughter of war by emphasising the courage and loyalty that the soldiers have for their country. They do not show fear, even when they are attacked with weapons much greater and deadlier than their own. Dulce Et Decorum Est was written in the 20th Century. It depicts war, in this case WW1, an exact opposite to Charge Of The Light Brigade. Owen wants to dispel the lie that describes war as a place of pride and brightness, when in reality it is a place of bloodshed and obscurity. Owen knows first hand the devastation of combatting in war because he experienced it himself; therefore he ridicules the renowned title ÐDulce Et Decorum Est, which means Ðit is sweet and fitting by recounting the horrifying scenes that he has unfortunately witnessed, and consequently leads his poem to a clever conclusion involving the Latin phrase.
Ducle Et Decorum Est opens with a very striking line, ÐBent double, like old beggars under sacks, and although we do not know what or who is being compared to this unpleasant description, it is already clear that this poem is not going to praise war but harshly criticise it. The next line, ÐKnock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, again draws a terrifying picture in our minds. We are still unsure of what the poem is actually referring to at this point, however the portrayal of the scene creates a mood of apprehension and sets a gloomy feel to the poem. ÐTowards our distance rest, began to trudge. This line is rather intriguing, as, at first analysis it seems as if the unknown characters are slowly journeying towards their destination where they will finally be able to relax, however if you read more into the line then you notice that this Ðdistant rest that the author is referring to could actually mean their death beds, where they can rest in peace forever more. Owen reveals how ÐMen marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, but limped on, blood-shod. These short, simple yet exceptionally expressive sentences add to the feeling of exhaustion that the characters obviously feel and the assonance within them is particularly effective as it accentuates the horror of the situation. They are yearning to rest but they carry on even when they are wounded and have nothing on their tired feet. They are ÐDrunk with fatigue this is an interesting phrase to use, as it is perfect to illustrate that there is a subtle line between drunkenness and tiredness. It gives the idea that those who the poem is talking about are so shattered that they are stumbling and falling around, just like you would if you where under the impression of alcohol. The next line uses enjambment to keep the readers in suspense as to what is actually happening. Then, at last we learn that the men are Ðdeaf even to the hoots/of gas-shells dropping softly behind. As soon as this is read it is clear that these people are involved in a war. The shells are clarified as being Ðsoft which is peculiar as it is evident that bombs are noisy, menacing and brutal, however this enhances the fact that the men are Ðdeaf even to the hoots. This first verse was written in a deliberately slow manner, this is so the readers can contemplate the idea of war being draining and ghastly, in contrast to Charge Of The Light Brigade. The second verse starts abruptly, ÐGas! Gas! Quick boys! Ð- An ecstasy of fumbling, this is so readers are alert to what is happening in the poem and they are drawn in to the situation as if they were actually there. Owen writes in a way that makes apparent to the readers that, even though the soldiers are weak, injured and bootless, they still have to act fast if they want to save their own precious lives. ÐFitting the clumsy helmets just in time. This sentence adds to the frenzy of fumbling that the soldiers got themselves into when they heard the dreaded warning. They didnt have time to do things properly as their helmets where fixed on their heads in a Ðclumsy way. The rest of the second verse is a very disturbing account of what Wilfred Owen saw after the gas bombs had been dropped. He reports how ÐSomeone still was yelling out and stumbling/and floundering like a man in fire or lime. Instantaneously, we know that something bad has happened to one of Owens fellow soldiers. He carries on by telling us, Ðdim through misty panes and thick green light/as under a green sea, I saw him drowning. From this explanation, it is fairly understandable that the Ðthick green light is the poisonous cloud coming from the gas bomb. Owen explicitly describes the situation. He cleverly compares the unfortunate soldiers suffocation to drowning under a green sea. Owen states that his eyes were fixated on this horrendous sight, yet he was unable to help this dying man, Ðbefore my helpless sight,/he plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. The repetition of the active verbs heightens the dreadfulness of the incident. Wilfred Owen speaks in 1st person throughout this poem, to elucidate the fact that he knows what he is talking about. Owen carries on, asking you to share the experience, ÐIf in some smothering dreams, you too could pace/behind the wagon that we flung him in. The person that was flung into the wagon is the ill-fated victim of the gas attack. The author now begins to tell us of the awfulness of what happens to soldiers who die at war, Ðand watch the white eyes writhing in his face,/his hanging face, like a devils sick of sin. Readers are about to hear another vivid depiction of what goes on at war. Owen intensely expresses the appearance of the dead body in a way, which is grim and distressing. Even including that the devil, who is regarded as the most evil creature in the world, is sick of wars appalling aspects. More dramatic images follow, Ðobscene as cancer, bitter as the cud/of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues. Owen knows he has to represent the traits of war in such a shocking style so people learn the true veracity war. After the series of emotionally frightening events, Owen brings his poem to an intellectual end. He forges a brotherly bond with us when he addresses