The Happy Warrior Beowulf Analysis

Though both early twentieth century poets, W.N. Hodgson and Herbert Read had very different opinions about war. By analyzing Hodgson’s “Before Action” and Read’s “The Happy Warrior,” the speakers’ attitudes can be revealed. The juxtaposition of imagery created in these poems elucidates Hodgson’s attitude that war is a glorious, honorable endeavor compared to Read’s view that war is a horrid affair. In “Before Action,” Hodgson uses creates fanciful images in order to convey his opinions on war. For example, he states, “By beauty lavishingly outpoured/And blessings carelessly received,/By all the days that I have lived.” The speaker focuses on beautiful images and sentiments. He then pleads, “Make me a soldier, Lord,” which shows how the speaker associates glorious images with military service. This point is emphasized through repetition as the speaker repeats more requests to his god by addressing “O Lord” two more times throughout the poem. Even as the speaker seems to recognize his imminent death, the speaker romanticizes his death as he celebrates the sacrifice he has made. A hopeful image of “a hundred of Thy sunsets spill their fresh and sanguine sacrifice” is presented, instilling in the reader’s mind an image of bright colors and serenity. The speaker conveys with this line that the death of a soldier is one of beauty because it is one full of honor.

Read uses irony as he creates an image of a helpless soldier in pain in his poem titled “The Happy Warrior.” He describes how the soldiers hands “clench and ice-cold rifle” while “his aching jaws grip a hot parch’d tongue.” He lacks direction or purpose as “his wide eyes search unconsciously.” This description creates a mood of pity amongst the reader as the soldier seems impotent. The imagery is enhanced by Read’s sharp diction. Words such as “shriek,” “bloody,” and “shapeless” are used to further darken the portrait of war that Read