Dulce Et Decorum Est Essay

Wilfred Owen and Dulce et Decorum Est’s Powerful Work Relating to PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events, such as war, violence, or disasters. PTSD can profoundly impact a person's mental and emotional well-being, and its portrayal in literature has been a significant topic of analysis. One such piece of literature is the poem "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen, a World War I poet known for his vivid descriptions of the harsh realities of war. Through a critical analysis of "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen, we will examine how the poem portrays PTSD symptoms in relation to Owen's personal experiences as a soldier, and

As a poet who vividly depicted the horrors of war in his work, Owen's writings shed light on the psychological toll of war and the traumatic experiences that soldiers endure, including the symptoms associated with PTSD. Owen's experiences as a soldier in the trenches of World War I influenced his portrayal of PTSD symptoms in his poem "Dulce et Decorum Est." The poem vividly describes the physical and psychological effects of a gas attack, including nightmares, hallucinations, and the haunting memories of the traumatic event. "Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!" (Owen Line 9). This repetition of "gas" creates a sense of urgency and panic, conveying the suddenness and brutality of a gas attack. The use of the exclamation mark also emphasizes the soldiers' fear and desperation. "But someone still was yelling out and stumbling / And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime" (Owen Lines 11-12). This metaphor compares the agony of the dying soldier to being burned alive or drowned in quicklime, creating a visceral and horrifying image of suffering. The horrifying images from the text of “Dulce et Decorum Est” would be an almost everyday, relentless thing. The soldiers alongside Owen experienced these horrific occurrences as if they were normal parts of their lives; these events surely would’ve been enough to cause significant mental damage and possible “shell shock” or what we know as PTSD today. Furthermore, Owen's poems and his candid letters to his family and friends highlighted the mental health challenges faced by soldiers, challenging the romanticized notions of war and heroism prevalent at the time. His writings provided a raw and realistic depiction of the psychological scars that war leaves on soldiers, which helped to raise awareness about the impact of war-related trauma on mental