Dulce et Decorum Est
WJEC
GCSE
This subtopic explores Wilfred Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est', a powerful anti-war poem written during World War I. It examines Owen's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and structure to convey the physical and psychological trauma of soldiers and to challenge the patriotic sentiment that it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. The poem is a key text for understanding how literature can protest against the romanticised view of war.
5
Objectives
2
Exam Tips
2
Pitfalls
6
Key Terms
3
Mark Points
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Analyse Owen’s use of imagery and simile in 'Dulce et Decorum Est' to convey the realities of war.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the poem’s structure and rhythm in reinforcing its anti-war message.
- Explore how Owen employs language and tone to expose the lie of the old Lie: Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.
- Discuss the significance of the gas attack scene and its impact on the reader.
- Compare the poem’s portrayal of war with contemporary propaganda, demonstrating contextual understanding.
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Award credit for detailed exploration of the simile 'like old beggars under sacks' and its connotations of dehumanisation and exhaustion.
- Credit for analysis of the sensory language in the gas attack (e.g., 'gargling', 'froth-corrupted lungs') and its effect on creating revulsion.
- Credit for linking the poem’s closing lines to the history of pro-war rhetoric and Owen’s intended audience.
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Always anchor your analysis to Owen’s purpose: to challenge the reader’s preconceptions about the glory of war. Use precise quotations and explore their connotations.
- 💡Integrate contextual knowledge about World War I conditions and the propaganda of the time to enrich your interpretation, ensuring it supports rather than overrides textual analysis.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Misinterpreting the poem as a straightforward pacifist statement without recognising its specific attack on the Latin motto and those who promote it without experiencing war.
- Overlooking the significance of structural elements, such as the shift from the opening’s slow rhythm to the frantic pace of the gas attack and the solemn final stanza.
Study Guide Available
Comprehensive revision notes & examples
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Horrors of trench warfare
- Physical and psychological suffering
- Critique of jingoistic propaganda
- Sensory imagery
- Loss of innocence
- Poetic form and protest
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