Introduction
War poetry has long been a powerful means of expressing the horrors of war and its devastating impact on humanity. In this essay, four poems that deal with war will be analyzed: Yeats’s “The Second Coming,” Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est,” “Anthem for Doomed Youth,” and Brooke’s “Peace.”
Yeats’s Poem
In Yeats’s “The Second Coming,” the speaker laments the breakdown of society and the rise of chaos in the aftermath of World War I. The poem’s title refers to the biblical concept of the second coming of Christ, but in this context, it takes on a more ominous tone (Yeats). Yeats uses vivid imagery to describe the horrors of war, such as “the falcon cannot hear the falconer” (Yeats line 2) and “the blood-dimmed tide is loosed.” (Yeats line 5) These lines convey the sense of disorientation and chaos that war brings, as well as the loss of control over one’s fate.
Owen’s Poems
Similarly, Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” and “Anthem for Doomed Youth” also depict the dehumanization of soldiers in war. In “Dulce et Decorum Est,” the speaker describes the horrific effects of a gas attack on his fellow soldiers (Owen, Dulce et Decorum Est). The poem’s title translates to “It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country,” a common saying at the time that Owen challenges with his vivid portrayal of the soldiers’ suffering. He also uses striking imagery to describe the physical toll of war, such as the soldiers’ “bent double, like old beggars under sacks.” (Owen, Dulce et Decorum Est, line 1)
In “Anthem for Doomed Youth,” Owen contrasts the noble ideals of war with its brutal reality. The poem’s title refers to the funeral service for soldiers who died in battle, but it questions the worth of such ceremonies (Owen, “Anthem for Doomed Youth“). Owen argues that the actual cost of war is not in the lives lost but in the loss of innocence and the shattered dreams of the young soldiers who fought.
Brooke’s Poem
Finally, Brooke’s “Peace” starkly contrasts with the other three poems. Written before World War I, the poem romanticizes war, portraying it as a noble endeavor. Brooke (line 2) describes the “And caught our youth, and wakened us from sleeping” of battle and the camaraderie that comes with it. The realities depicted in the other three poems shattered this romanticized view of war.
As the war dragged on and the casualties mounted, this romanticized view of war began to change. The reality of the horrors of trench warfare, the use of new weapons such as gas and tanks, and the staggering loss of life shook the optimism and patriotism of many. Owen and other war poets, who experienced the brutalities of the war firsthand, began to write about the true nature of war and its devastating impact on individuals and society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these four poems reveal the brutal realities of war and its profound effects on humanity. Through their vivid imagery and powerful language, Yeats, Owen, and Brooke provide a sobering reminder of the cost of war, including the dehumanization of soldiers, the loss of innocence, and the sense of hopelessness that comes with war. These poems serve as a powerful reminder of the need to seek peace and avoid the horrors of war whenever possible.
Works Cited
Brooke, Rupert. Peace. 1915.
Owen, Wilfred. Anthem for Doomed Youth., Dulce et Decorum Est. 1986.
Yeats, William Butler. The Second Coming. 1989.