Poets
Which poet wrote the ending with the line "Dulce et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori"?
Wilfred Owen
How do war poets use imagery to convey the brutality of battle?
War poets use vivid descriptions of sights, sounds, and feelings to immerse the reader in the chaos of battle.
When did World War I begin and end?
World War I began on July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11, 1918.
"Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge."
Dulce et Decorum Est
"The battlefield was a sea of blood and sorrow."
Metaphor
Which poet honored fallen soldiers with the famous lines "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old"?
Laurence Binyon
What emotions do poets express about war, and how do they reflect these in their language?
Poets express emotions like grief, anger, pride, and sorrow. They use techniques like tone, word choice, and symbolism to emphasize their perspective.
Which countries were part of the Allied Powers during the war?
The main Allied Powers included Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, and later the United States.
"the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row."
In Flanders Fields
"The soldier’s courage was as unbreakable as iron."
Simile
Which poet wrote a poem that begins, "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row"?
John McCrae
How does structure (e.g., rhyme scheme, stanza length) influence the message of a war poem?
Structure affects the flow and impact of a poem. For example, In Flanders Fields uses a regular rhyme scheme, making it memorable and lyrical.
What event triggered the start of World War I?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn."
For the Fallen
"The wind whispered secrets through the ruined village."
Personification
What is the significance of the phrase "Dulce et Decorum Est" in Owen’s poem? How does he challenge this idea?
The Latin phrase means "It is sweet and right to die for one's country." Owen uses his poem to challenge this idea, arguing that war is not glorious but horrific.
Why might some war poems glorify sacrifice while others focus on suffering? Give a example.
Different poets have different perspectives on war based on their experiences. Some, like Laurence Binyon in For the Fallen, honor the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers.
What was life like for soldiers in the trenches?
Soldiers lived in muddy, overcrowded conditions, faced disease, and dealt with constant danger from enemy attacks.
"If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs."
Dulce et Decorum Est
"Boom! The cannons roared like furious beasts."
Onomatopoeia & Simile
How does Owen use contrast between idealized views of war and its brutal reality?
Owen contrasts the romanticized idea of war as noble and honorable with its harsh realities.
"How does Wilfred Owen use contrast in his poetry to highlight the horrors of war?"
This question invites analysis of how Owen juxtaposes different images—such as the idealised view of war versus its brutal reality in Dulce et Decorum Est.
What was the name of the alliance formed by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy before World War I?
The Triple Alliance
"They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home."
For the Fallen
"He had a mountain of worries crushing his chest."
Hyperbole & Metaphor