Symbolism In Dulce Et Decorum Est

'Wilfred Owen' a war poet who rote many tens of poems, emphasized his visual experiences of carnage in war, in his poems. One poem that presented the pacifism of war is 'Dulce et decorum est'. Through this poem vivid depiction is utilised with the co-operation of techniques such as, extensive imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, simile and symbolism to show his audience of the horrific environment that was savored. "Dulce et..." is a poem that challenges old conventions in its portrayal of the realities of war.

The first section that the reader is enlightened with is the title "dulce et.." which conveys associated connotations of patriotism, however the literal definition is ' it is sweet and honourable to die for ones country'. This definition is utilised in an ironic way in comparison with the body of the poem as it composes a completely opposing view of death and war. Moreover, the title accentuates a sharp contrast to the rest of the poem, because it implies that the poem is going to celebrate a positive aspect of life, although it illustrates the bloodcurdling realities of war and death practiced by the soldiers.

The opening lines of the poem "Dulce et..." directly recreate and alter new images of war over those orginally existing in the readers mind. The soldiers are initially portrayed as wretched, like "old beggars" and
Descriptive language assists in the creation of the visual scene of a green sea, which is an abnormal colour symbolising pollution, illness and infection, in reference to eutrophication. Furthermore, the connection made of the "sea" and "GAS" also constructs and allows a relationship between liquid and gas as a person is totally surround by a uniform disease. Moreover, this representation of suffering personifies the gas as a monstrous beast, portraying a negative aspect of