War, With Its Horror And Glory - 1242 Words

War, with its horror and glory, is something that should not be underestimated in its ability to teach truths about the human condition. War shows the bitter truth of the inevitability of death and exposes one’s family and nation to danger and destruction. However, the ability of war to unify a nation and enlighten the minds of soldiers is significant and is what should be remembered most because in that, one is able to transcend them self and evolve to be a better person. In Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians come to realize the role their unchecked selfishness and greed have played in their ruination because they finally acknowledge the consequences of their actions. And as death is a soldier’s constant companion, the Athenians eventually accept their fate – moira – and learn to put fear aside and endure. Interestingly, Homer conveys a similar view on fate and death in the Iliad, and emphasizes the importance of fighting f or those one loves (and the enduring kleos to be gained from heroism in battle). The lessons of war, however, manifest themselves differently in the Iliad in the way that war reveals the â€Å"true meaning and purpose of life† – what is worth fighting for and what is not (Mannering). It becomes apparent in History of the Peloponnesian War that self-interest and greed are the main instigators at work as Thucydides repeatedly communicates through the characters’ speeches. In fact, Thucydides begins book one with pointing out theShow MoreRelatedDulce Et Decorum Est Poetry Essay980 Words   |  4 Pagesincluding metaphor, personification and emotive expressive language to create a huge impact on readers evoking feelings such as horror and pity of the soldiers and of war. Owen’s intention of using these effective language techniques was to convey the horrific reality of war and to shatter the myth of war as a glorious mission. World War 1 (also known as the ‘Great War’) was a major war centered around Europe that involved countries from all over the globe between 1914 and 1918. Wilfred Owen wrote ‘DulceRead MoreEssay on Sassoons Use of Irony in Glory of Women626 Words   |  3 PagesSassoons Use of Irony in Glory of Women The role of women during the Great War has been portrayed in many different ways in literature. They are seen as factory workers, nurses who saved soldierà ­s lives, sweethearts and relatives to label just a few. In Glory of Women, Siegfried Sassoon makes ample use of irony within the structure and the content in order to portray his view of the role of the young, working, British woman during this time period. Sassoons use of irony canRead MoreThemes- Wilfred Owen947 Words   |  4 Pagesnumerous themes that explore the negativity of war. Owens poems talk about the truth of war. The poems focus on the fear of war, horror, sacrifice, glory and questioning life’s purpose. . In particular, the poems â€Å"Mental Cases† and â€Å"Dulce Decorum Est† both strongly emphasise the reality and horrific experiences of war. Dulce Et Decorum Est shows what it was like during the war and what the soldiers experienced. Mental Cases explores the aftermath of the war and the lives of those young soldiers. MentalRead MoreAnalysis Of Wilfred Owen s Dulce Et Decorum Est938 Words   |  4 Pagesitself has taught students that the First World War was the most devastating war the world has ever seen in a sense of ideals, morals, and social aspects thanks to many of the war poets during that time period. Wilfred Owen is known to be one of the most famous war poets during the twentieth century especially during the First World War when he wrote â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est†. His poem details the horrors these soldiers faced in the trenches during World War 1 and conveys the hidden meaning that â€Å"it isRead MoreAnthem for Doomed Youth - Analysis1143 Words   |  5 PagesAnthem for Doomed Youth - Analysis The very title that Wilfred Owen chose for his war poem, Anthem for Doomed Youth is an apt representation of what he wanted the poem to encapsulate and the emotions he wanted to evoke in the readers. The word anthem and doomed youth is a stark juxtaposition when placed in the same sentence. An anthem is supposed to be something revered, something that represents the glory of a country and is bursting with national pride. However, when placed right beforeRead More The Horrors of War in Wilfred Owens Poem, Dulce et Decorum Est1032 Words   |  5 PagesThe Horrors of War in Wilfred Owens Poem, Dulce et Decorum Est From the earliest records of history, accounts of war have been portrayed as valiant acts of heroism. Children and adults alike have gathered together to hear tales of war and its glory. From the stories of Alexander the Great to recent-day movies like Saving Private Ryan, war has been praised and exalted with words such as bravery, honor, and freedom. However, Wilfred Owens poem Dulce et Decorum Est shows the ugly, horribleRead MoreTying Homers Iliad to Virgils Aeneid Through the Theme of Warfare1487 Words   |  6 Pagesthat the pieces were written in different places. We can use these pieces to get a view of what the society that produced them thought about war and how the view of war changed as time went on in the ancient world. The Iliad is a poem of war. The entire narrative takes place at or near a battlefield with men who had been fighting a seemingly never ending war for over nine years, and portrays many many battles great and small. At the beginning Homer invokes the muse by saying â€Å"begin, Muse, whenRead More Comparing Irony of War in Dulce et Decorum, Regeneration, and Quiet on the Western Front1165 Words   |  5 PagesIrony of War Exposed in Dulce et Decorum, Regeneration, and Quiet on the Western Front    Many of the young officers who fought in the Great War enlisted in the army with glowing enthusiasm, believing that war was played in fancy uniforms with shiny swords. They considered war as a noble task, an exuberant journey filled with honor and glory. Yet, after a short period on the front, they discovered that they had been disillusioned by the war: fighting earned them nothing but hopelessness, deathRead MoreWilfred Owen s Poem Dulce Et Decorum Est1602 Words   |  7 PagesWar is often associated with words like honor and glory, but Wilfred Owen’s poem, â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est† strips away fanciful notions that war is anything less than absolute horror through his writing style and usage of setting, rhythm, and imagery to contrast the reality of war with an idealized version. The full Latin quote that concludes Owen’s poem, â€Å"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori† translates to â€Å"It is sweet and right to die for one’s country.† A popular saying at the time of the FirstRead MoreAnalysis Of Wilfred Owen s Poem Disabled 1055 Words   |  5 Pagesdestructive impacts that war has on the young men fighting in it, and this theme is no more obvious than in â€Å"Disabled†. Owen’s poems also tend to focus on war related events as they happen, yet â€Å"Disabled† is told through the words of a war veteran who is feeling the aftermath of war first hand. Owen proclaims, in stark detail, that there is no glory worth the destructive effects of war. There were none more qualified to write poetry about the horrors of war than Wilfred Owen. A World War I veteran himself