Imagery, Metaphors, and Diction in Dulce et Decorum EstAll exceptional poetry shows good use of figurative language, imagery, and diction. “Dulce et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen is a powerful anti-war poem set on a battlefield during the First World War. Through the dramatic use of imagery, metaphors, and diction, he clearly states his theme that war is terrible and horrible. the compelling figurative language helps reveal the reality of war. In the first line, “Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,”(1) he shows us that the troops are so tired that they can be compared to old beggars. Another great use of the simile, “His face pendulous, like that of a devil sick with sin,” (20) suggests that his face is probably covered in blood which is the color that symbolizes the devil. A very powerful metaphor is the comparison of the troops' painful experiences to "vile and incurable sores on innocent tongues."(24) This metaphor emphasizes that the troops will never forget these horrible experiences. As you can see, Owen has used figurative language so effectively that the reader is drawn into the poem. The images drawn in this poem are so vivid that they might make readers feel sick. For example, in these lines: «If you could hear, at every gasp, the blood/ Coming gargled from the lungs corrupted by the foam/ Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud», (21-23) shows us that many men were brutally killed during this war. Furthermore, when the gas bomb was dropped, "[s]omeone was still screaming and stumbling/ [and] writhing like a man in fire or lime.../ [he] dived towards me, dripping, choking, drowning .”(11-12,16) These compelling verses indicate that men drowned helplessly in toxic gases. These graphic images are very disturbing but play a very effective role in the development of the poem. Another tool for developing the effectiveness of poetry is the excellent use of diction. The word “blood-shod” explains how the troops stood for days without rest. Furthermore, words such as "gutter", "suffocation" and "drowning" show us that the troops are suffering in conditions of extreme pain and misery. If you haven't noticed, most of these words are examples of cacophony, which are words with harsh, discordant sounds. Since this poem is about how harsh and terrible war is, Owen's use of cacophony is very effective in generating the tone of the poem. It's really so sweet to die for your country??