Poem Analysis of Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

World War One was a massive conflict in Europe during the late 1910s. It featured trench based warfare and the introduction of chemical warfare. Many soldiers during the war got PTSD from the trauma faced during battle. One poem made during this time described the specific trauma and horrifying aspects of chemical warfare, specifically mustard gas. In the poem “Dulce et Decorum Est,” Wilfred Owen uses figurative language, grotesque diction, and descriptive imagery to describe his traumatic outlook on war and how those who take part in it are affected by the truly horrifying experience of it that in no such way should be glorified by the old lie. 

Wilfred Owen’s use of figurative language and descriptive imagery helps describe the horrifying effects of the war. Most soldiers during the war were in their 20s, but instead of being in the prime of their lives they are “bent double, like old beggars under sacks, knock kneed, coughing like hags” (1&2). These men are supposed to be in their best state of life; strong, healthy, and young. Instead they are objectified like witches and frail old men, bent and broken. If war was truly glorious and sweet like the old lie tells, they wouldn’t be or feel this way, suggesting that war is truly horrifying and cripples those who get caught up in it. When the gas is dropped on Wilfred Owen and his group, they rush to put on their masks before they can breath in the vile fumes. All men seem to get theirs on, until the screams of a man are heard and he is seen “floundering like a man in fire or lime” (12). Floundering makes us think of a fish flopping about on the ground, writhing trying to get back to water. This poor soldier is flailing about, suffering and burning from the gas. You couldn’t tell anybody in this world that this soldier’s fate is glorious or sweet, but it would rather be objectified as horrifying and grotesque. As the poor soldier slowly strains and suffers from the gas, his comrades throw him in a wagon and continue on. The narrator continues to describe the man’s flailing body, “the white eyes writhing in his face, his hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin” (19-20). This horrible torture and undignified death further shows the true horrors of war. What about suffocating on man-made gas is glorious or sweet? How is his twisted and deformed face a symbol of the sweet glory of dying in war? This soldier’s doom shows the lie of Dulce et Decorum est and reveals the horrifying nature of war. All of these ideas create trauma for the poet, which helps convey his attitude toward war. This poem is told through the eyes of a man who sees only the trauma of war and what it does to those around him. Along with descriptive imagery and figurative language, there are also various word choices and grotesque diction that helps continue the idea of the true horrors of war. 

Wilferd Owen uses grotesque imagery, diction, and figurative  language in his poem to prove that the old lie is wrong and that war isn't some amazing and glorious thing but in fact the complete opposite. Many of the men from the war came back with severe PTSD and you can see that with the way that he describes these men. The majority of them in their prime years but the way that Owen describes them as being “Old beggars'’ and “hags'’ (1-2) shows that this war is breaking down these men not only physically but also mentally. This war and war in general destroys people and shouldn't be glorified, young men shouldn't be lured into a war with the expectation of war being this amazing thing. The old lie shouldn't be used anymore but even now in modern times people still try to portray war as something glorious, and yes there is honor in fighting for your country no one is arguing otherwise but people shouldn't lie about it they should be upfront so people know what they are signing up for.  

When Owen says “if in some smothering dream you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in” (17-18)  I feel that yet again he is trying to get us to feel what he went through. The way he uses imagery and the way he describes the situation really makes you feel sympathy for these young men going through and fighting in this war. And yet again another reason why the old lie shouldn't be used anymore. 

Although soldiers are set to be remembered and glorified by their bravery, Wilfred Owen shows that war is actually the opposite. A believe that Wilfred was also trying to show that war shouldn't be glorified because it is truly a traumatic and horrifying experience And if we continued to go on with the “Old Lie” more and more Young men are going to join or enlist with the mindset that thighs are going to be all sunshine and rainbows and become bent and broken by the conditions of war. These men are drowning, flailing, and burning from gas, and in the way, Wilferd describes these events happening you can see that this is anything but glorious or honorable. Wilfred Owen even shows his trauma through his grotesque diction in this poem, words such as “gargling”, “blood-shod”, and “writhing”. We learn about the horrors that can be brought by a lie. The idea/lie of Dulce et Decorum Est delivered many young men to an early death. The weight of that reality sinks deep, so much pain and death from a lie. World War One was just one example of how a lie can shape society and create such grave and horrifying dangers.