Dulce Et Decorum Est Glory

Although the title of Dulce et Decorum Est, referencing “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” displays war in a glorious light, it is the true reality of war that glares in this poem by Wilfred Owen. This essay will take a closer look at the history behind behind why humans associate glory and war. As well as the event that changed our perception, the same event that ended Owen’s life.

Throughout the existence of human civilization, war has been able to flourish. In the fertile crescent of ancient Mesopotamia, the origins of western culture, city-states were thriving. Their growth fuel the proliferation of war, as a tool to acquire the property and resources from neighboring states. Victory provided the added bonus of removing the competing cities. The weapons of the day were simple swords, spears and arrows: Their limited range confined conflicts and casualties to small areas.

The simplicity of the weaponry and strategy lead to blunt and personal battles, lasting days if not hours. Providing the survivors with climactic stories of battle that built a heroic respect for the soldier. The promise of glory, gold, and divine confirmation made war much more palatable for soldier and commander. This paragon of pillaging more or less idealized until the early Twentieth Century by the major powers in Europe. Even becoming a

This exchange can be seen quite clearly during the Napoleonic Wars. Wherein Napoleon threatened a major adversary “ You cannot stop me; I spend 30,000 men a month”. He was able to support this threat with the large national army of France. And in observing this, other world leaders became aware of the practicality of a large force. Thus inspiring them to build massive nation armies replicating the Grand Armée. These monstrous machines would later collide in The Great War, and the setting of Dulce et Decorum Est. However, there were new factors to