Horror of War Exposed in Dulce et Decorum Est Essay examples -- Dulce

Horror of War Exposed in Dulce et Decorum Est We have all heard war stories that seemed exciting and adventurous. Some stories are of men who gladly laid down their lives in the glory of battle and would do so again if given the chance. These stories tickle our sentiment and ease the pain of real war, but they do little to help us understand war's brutality. In his poem "Dulce et Decorum Est," Wilfred Owen does not attempt to pull the blood stained wool over our eyes. Instead of a novel quip, Owen gives us a look into the real horror of war. Using images of pain and sorrow, Owen gives us a taste of the front line that crushes any romantic ideas about war. Most of us envision soldiers marching into battle as upright, steady young men proudly bearing their ruck sacks and singing as they march. Owen paints us a picture of a different hue. Owen describes the men as, "Bent double, like old beggars under sacks." We see figures that are contrary to our preconceived notions ( 1). Owen's men of war are tired from the stress of battle and the weight of the inevitable doom that lies ahe...