The Use of Vocabulary in Dulce Et Decorum Est and The Volunteer Essay

The Use of Vocabulary in Dulce Et Decorum Est and The Volunteer 'The Volunteer' by Herbert Asquith and 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' by Wilfred Owen are two poems, which cast very different opinions on the Great War of 1914 - 1918. In 'The Volunteer' Asquith has created an inspirational mood, one that indicates patriotism and optimism. However, 'Dulce Et Decorum Est' contrasts 'The Volunteer', with its angry and bitter mood. One of the principal aspects that help to create the mood is the use of particular vocabulary. In 'The Volunteer', the vocabulary used is rather simple with words that reflect and familiarise with glorious pieces of English history. 'Nor need he any hearse to bear him hence, Who goes to join the men of Agincourt.' Using such vocabulary gives the English reader a sense of pride and willingness to fight and die for their country. Also the poem uses words such as 'toiling', 'gleaming', 'charging' and 'thundering'. These examples of onomatopaeia emphasise what Asquith is meaning to say in the particular section of the poem. 'Toiling at ledgers in a city grey,' is used to describe the working and unchanging cycle of the life of a clerk. The words 'grey' and 'toiling' emphasise the tone of repetitiveness and dullness used in this particular section of the poem. As the poem develops, the tone becomes glorious, patriotic and optimistic. 'Yet ever 'twixt the books and his bright eyes The gleaming eagles of the legions came; And horsemen, charging under phantom skies, Went thundering beneath the oriflamme.' This excert demonstrates contrast, onomatopaeia and vivid imagery. The words 'gleaming', 'charging' and 'thundering' help to build up the mood, making it become gloriu... ... back to the beautiful country that bure it. 'A pulse in the eternal mind no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;' The poem considers heaven and all it's inhabitants as being English. 'In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.' 'Futility' contradicts the moods, opinions and tones of 'The Soldier'. It believes that dying for something is pointless and nothing has been achieved, it asks what is the point of living only to die? 'Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides, Full-nerved---still warm---too hard to stir?...' It is a poem which changes tones several times, going from soft and gentle, to harsher and questioning, to pure bitterness. The overall mood is bitter and harsh and reflects Owen's opinion of war. 'Was it for this the clay grew tall O what made fatuous sunbeams toil To break earth's sleep at all?'