"Dulce et Decorum est" Wildred Owen

"Dulce et Decorum est" The title, in Latin from Horace's Odes, means that it is sweet and decorous (proper/fitting) to die for one's country, is ironic in the context of the theme of the poem. To say this is satirical in a sense as Owen's expression is mocking the high moralistic standards of soldiers dying at war. <Tab/> The poem recounts the vile experience of gas suffered by soldiers in …

…familiar with its horrors. Owen in this way pinpoints his experiences to convince us how horrible war was. Owen shows a contrast from the strapping, masculine appearance of soldiers by describing them as "coughing like hags" and "bent double, like old beggars under sacks" these young warriors are prematurely aging, physically derelict and mentally numb. Owen's description of youth being portrayed as boys make the soldiers seem innocent and more as victims of vicious warfare.