Dulce et Decorum Est

By: Wilfred Owen

Narrated by: Phillip J. Mather

The narrator pledges to donate 50% of his proceeds to The Royal British Legion Poppy Day Appeal - please support. Wilfred Owen’s famous poem was written in 1917 during World War I. Dulce et Decorum Est describes the horrors of the front lines and the gruesome effect of a gas attack. It is a rebuke to those that would glorify war. The title, taken from Horace, can be translated as “It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country”. A powerful piece. Those who glorify war should listen to this, and those who send young men to war also before they sign the order. A masterful performance by Phillip J. Mather.

Public Domain (P)2014 Phillip J. Mather

A Voice Against The Propaganda Of War As Glorious

What did you love best about Dulce et Decorum Est?

It is a story-poem, one relating a gas attack aimed at a convoy of tired, staggering soldiers. It was written to counter a line of propaganda which goaded men to join the army and fight.

Dulce et Decorum est means It Is Sweet and Honorable (to die for the fatherland). Wilfred Owen, in his description of the gas attack berates those who would urge men to die in glory. There is no glory in the Great War that Owen had witness and took part in. The death and anguish and dehumanization of the soldiers leaves no doubt as to how awful war really is.

The poem brings home the horrors of war and explains, perhaps, why following the Great War, England and France were so reluctant to fight Germany and chose appeasement instead.

What did you like best about this story?

Both the narration and the prose of the poem were spot on.

Which scene was your favorite?

There is just one scene, that of the gas attack.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Ugly Glory Of War.

Any additional comments?

It is worthwhile to listen to this poem and compare it with masterpieces like England To Free Men, which is highly-patriotic. Both are great poems, yet each takes and opposite view of the war.