war poetry by wilfred owen and rupert brooke

Q. Examine two of the poems studied in detail, comparing the poets’ attitudes to the theme of war. In your discussion be sure to refer to the structure and use of imagery, diction and other stylistic devices used to present the poets’ ideas and emotions.

Through poetry writers are able to effectively express their attitudes towards a variety of topics. Rupert Brooke’s “The Soldier” and Wilfred Owen’s “Anthem For The Doomed Youth” present two opposing attitudes towards the Great War. “The Soldier,” written in 1914 reflects the patriotism that was the ethos of the British society early in the war. In contrast “Anthem For The Doomed Youth” spares no one’s feelings in its lament for the many unnecessary young deaths. Each of the writers utilise the sonnet form to bring out different meanings, and through careful selection of language evoke contrasting emotional responses.

In his poem “The Soldier”, Rupert Brooke chooses the petrachan sonnet to present t...