Dulce et Decorum Est

1)      The imagery used is a simile. The literal meaning of this imagery would be that the soldiers were bent by the weight of their heavy bags they are carrying on their backs. The implied meaning of the simile is that the soldiers are very tired and did not want to continue walking.  My impression of the soldier is someone who did not sleep for a long time and was very tired and weak. This can be shown by the phrases “drunk with fatigue” and “marched asleep”. These phrases show how tired and weak the soldiers are.

2)      The sound devices and imagery such as “GAS! Gas! Quick, boys! -- An ecstasy of fumbling” helps to build up the tension by vividly describing the battle field when poison gas is released to knock down the enemies. The imagery such as “Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light” also builds tension by causing the readers to wonder what the writer saw through the misty panes and thick green light. Also, the phrase “Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time” also builds tension as it creates the effect of even the soldiers being scared as the soldiers could not wear the “clumsy helmets” properly.

3)      I think the poet’s message is that war is a cruel and inhumane thing, children should not be brainwashed to think that it is an honor and right to die for your country. The poem states “The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est”, “Dulce et decorum est” means that it is sweet and right to die for your country. However, the word “lie” implies that the writer does not agree with the statement. I agree with the writer’s view.  When war happens, countless lives are lost, countless families are separated from each other. Wars can affect people both physically and emotionally for the rest of their lives. When soldiers go to war and die, thinking that it is an honor, they did not stop to think about their families, who still need them. The soldiers have been brainwashed to think that it is right to die for their country but did not stop to think about others. Therefore, I agree with the writer’s view that it is not right to die for their country as people still need them.