Imagery and Metaphor in Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est :: Dulce et Decorum Est Essays

Imagery and Metaphor in Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est The poesy is champion of the most powerful ways to sway an idea or opinion. Through vivid imagery and compelling metaphors, the poesy gives the reader the exact feeling the author wanted. The poem Dulce et Decorum Est, an anti-war poem by Wilfred Owen, makes great use of these devices. This poem is very useful because of its tenuous manipulation of the mechanical and emotional parts of poetry. Owens use of exact phrasing and vivid figurative run-in emphasizes his point, grounding that war is terrible and devastating. Furthermore, the employment of exceedingly graphic imagery adds even more to his argument. Through the effective use of all three of these tools, this poem conveys a strong meaning and persuasive argument. The poems use of excellent diction helps to more clearly intend what the author is pronounceing. Words handle guttering, choking, and drowning not only show how the man is suffering, but tha t he is in terrible pain that no human being should endure. Other words like writhing and froth-corrupted say precisely how the man is being tormented. Moreover, the phrase blood shod shows how the military man have been on their feet for days, neer resting. Also, the fact that the gassed man was flung into the wagon reveals the prodding and occupation with fighting. The only thing they can do is toss him into a wagon. The fact one word can add to the meaning so much shows how the diction of this poem adds greatly to its effectiveness. Likewise, the use of figurative language in this poem also helps to emphasize the points that atomic number 18 being made. As Perrine says, people use metaphors because they say ...what we want to say more vividly and forcefully... Owen capitalizes greatly on this by using strong metaphors and similes. Right move out in the first line, he describes the military as being like old beggars under sacks. This not only says that they are tired, but that they are so tired they have been brought down to the level of beggars who have not slept in a bed for weeks on end. Owen also compares the victims face to the devil, presumable corrupted and baneful. A metaphor even more effective is one that compares ...vile, incurable sores... with the memories of the troops. It not only tells the reader how the troops will never forget the experience, but also how they are frightening tales, ones that will the troops will never be able to tell without remembering the extremely painful experience.