Dulce et Decorum Est
...the line, and also isolated by the comma. Similarly, “knock-kneed” is highlighted as the poet draws attention to the weakened, worn out state of the previously strong young men. In addition to the rhythm in the previous paragraph the writer goes on to use imagery through similes such as, “like old beggars under sacks” and “coughing like hags” compare them to weak and frail old people. They can barely stand up or carry their packs any more, but yet they must walk miles to their “distant rest”. Hence, “we cursed through sludge”. “We” tells us that this is a personal experience; “cursed” highlights the frustration and pain the soldiers must feel at the thought of the long walk ahead. The “sludge” refers to the mud filled trenches the men had to negotiate before they were to reach the road. “Trudge” is an effective word to use as it conveys their slow, laborious progress. “Men marched asleep” has emphasis on their utter exhaustion which is later portrayed by “drunk with fatigue” and is effective by the shortness of the sentence and by the alliteration of | m |. Reading on, we come to notice that they were suffering of extreme exhaustion as the sentence starts of with “Drunk with fatigue”, This is effective as it effectively portrays their exhaustion by the word-choice of “drunk” which suggest possible stumbling through exhaustion, unsteadiness or even lack of co-ordination. They were obviously not literally drunks due to alcohol. The word-choice of “softly” is both very effective and unusual as if Gas-shells were literally dropping there would most certainly not be a soft sound from it. It is unusual and effective by the fact that the further they are from the Gas-shells the softer the noise would become. It also uses reference to them leaving the front line behind. In the second stanza of the poem, Owen uses more poetic techniques to highlight the futility and horror of war. “Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!” is an exclamation of alarm. There is an abrupt change of tone in the poem to fear and panic ...