Wilfred Owen’s poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” is a scathing condemnation of war that uses vivid and visceral imagery to contradict the idea that battle is glorious. The title of the poem ironically refers to the Latin maxim promoting the sweetness and nobility of war, while the first stanza contradicts this in its depiction of the harsh conditions of the battlefield and the traumatizing aftermath of war. This jarring juxtaposition between the idealism of society and the reality of the soldier’s experience creates an ironic contrast that unsettles the readers but also forces them to reconsider their preconceptions about war.
The poem opens with a horrific description of exhausted and sore soldiers “bent double, like old beggars under sacks” (1)
The poem opens with a horrific description of exhausted and sore soldiers “bent double, like old beggars under sacks” (1)