Dulce Et Decorum Est Comparison

The poems “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen and “Guns” by W.D. Ehrhart describe the harsh and brutal reality of war through their own eyes. Although both hold literary merit, the one that stands out amongst them as more successful is “Dulce et Decorum Est.” This poem is significantly better structured, uses more complex imagery and also uses better words to explain the poem to the reader. Wilfred Owen, who died in combat prior to the release of this poem, really brings into perspective just how ugly and violent war can be. “Dulce et Decorum Est” is written in iambic pentameter with four stanzas with the third stanza being only two lines. There is also an end rhyme pattern throughout all twenty eight line of the poem. Ehrhart on the other hand, is written in seven stanzas and has no rhyme pattern. When compared, this makes Ehrhart’s poem, plain and boring in a way. It feels like although he is describing what war is like, it is monotone and flat. In Owens poem, each stanza takes you deeper and deeper into the brutality of war. Feeling as

Owen uses language that really sets the mood so that the reader can truly grasp what he is talking about. For example, in the first stanza, Owen uses words like beggars, sludge and trudge. These are words quite opposite from what the glory and patriotism is thought of when describing war. Another interesting note is the title he gives the poem. This translates to “It is sweet and proper to die for ones country.” Contrary to this title, as we read it is apparent that it is actually opposite of the title. Owen also uses assonance to give his poem a rhyme scheme that really works well when reading out loud. We see that he uses words like sacks/sludge/backs/trudge. When reading, this pattern rolls off the tongue and flows easier. In “Guns” there is no assonance and when reading it can get dull and