Understanding the realities of war in Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'
I can understand how Owen presents the bleak reality of war.
Understanding the realities of war in Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est'
I can understand how Owen presents the bleak reality of war.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Wilfred Owen was a soldier who fought and died in WWI.
- There was a huge disparity in the glorified perception of war, versus the bleak reality of it.
- The poem dismantles and condemns the perception of war being promoted by propaganda.
- The poem paints a graphic image of soldiers who are caught in a gas attack.
- Owen used his poetry as a means of exposing the true futility and horror of war.
Keywords
Bleak - not hopeful or encouraging
To dismantle - to take apart/ to destroy the integrity of something
Disparity - a significant difference between two things
Propaganda - biased or misleading information used to influence public opinion
To glorify - to unjustifiably or wrongfully represent something as admirable
Common misconception
Students often think that the dying soldier was already dead when he was thrown into the wagon.
It is important that students understand that the soldier was still half-alive when he was tossed, dying, into the body wagon. This needs to be understood for students to grasp the brutality of war and the lack of respect soldiers were shown.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the realities of war in Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Understanding the realities of war in Owen's 'Dulce et Decorum Est', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 english lessons from the Poetry anthology unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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