Metaphors In Dulce Et Decorum Est

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Wilfred Owen, a British war poet, wrote about World War I. His poem “Dulce et Decorum Est” was written in 1917 while he was in the hospital recovering from shell shock. Ironically, Owen died in battle one week before the war ended in 1918. He was twenty-five years old; however, his war experiences matured him far beyond his age. The title of the poem translates to “it is sweet and proper.” Sardonically, the poet means exactly the opposite.The purpose of his poem is to warn the government and those who make war that men are dying and for what reason. In addition, war is not honorable and noble. It is death and maiming. In the poem, a flashback approach is used. This is the poet looking back at a terrible memory.The poet employs several literary devices to prove his assertion: there is no glory in war. …show more content…

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