In a poem titled “Dulce et Decorum Est”, life in the trenches is graphically detailed to paint a vivid picture of World War I fighting techniques for the reader. Many others wrote about the injustices and cruelties of war at this time, but only one, Wilfred Owen, did so in such a permanent and meaningful way. Owen is known as one of the most infamous WWI poets, and has undoubtedly had more impact on the public conscience of the tragedy of war than any other writer of his generation. WWI introduced a new style of warfare known as trench warfare. Lines were created that were almost 8 feet deep and many were hundreds of miles longs. The lines were curved so that bullets fired within the trench from enemy fire couldn’t travel along the trenches. The enemy trenches were usually parallel and it was a constant give and take of land. Progress was minimal and many suffered from other diseases such as ‘trench-foot’ and depression, usually resulting in a mental collapse known as a nervous breakdown. Trench warfare was hell for all those involved, many returning home in a different state of mind than they left with. Also, WWI claimed the lives of many of America’s brightest minds, including doctors, writers, and novelists. In this poem written by Owen, the events of a typical day in the war is detailed and described to show that war is not as glorious and honorable as those back home picture it. The title, meaning ‘how sweet and fitting it is to die for one’s country’, is actually very sarcastic and depicts the feelings of many of those that were fighting. The first stanza sets the scene and show what the soldiers would be feeling at the time. The men’s condition at the time was so wretched that they could be compared to old beggars and hags. These men seem to be physically and mentally crushed. Their feet are caked in blood, which is more or less a dehumanizing image beca...
