Considering the context of Sheers' 'Mametz Wood' and the futility of war
I can understand the story of the poem ‘Mametz Wood’ and explain the events that inspired it.
Considering the context of Sheers' 'Mametz Wood' and the futility of war
I can understand the story of the poem ‘Mametz Wood’ and explain the events that inspired it.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- ‘Mametz Wood’ was inspired by the Battle of Mametz Wood in 1916.
- Sheers tells the story of the discovery of the bodies of 20 young men, all of whom were slaughtered in battle.
- Some people attribute the 4000 deaths in the battle to poor tactical decisions made by commanders.
- The poem conveys how devastating, destructive and futile war is.
- The poet illustrates that war affects not only people, but nature too, as the land has been scarred by violence.
Keywords
Futile - pointless
Relic - an object (usually of historical interest) which has survived an earlier time
Inexperienced - having little knowledge or experience in something
Fortified - made strong or secure
Slaughter - the killing of many people or animals unjustly, or in a particularly cruel manner
Common misconception
Students often make the mistake of thinking that, like many of the other war poems, this poem was written by a soldier at the time of the war.
This poem is not a personal account; Sheers wrote this poem in 2005. He wanted to raise awareness about the loss of Welsh lives in Mametz Wood and illustrate how destructive war is.
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Considering the context of Sheers' 'Mametz Wood' and the futility of war, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Considering the context of Sheers' 'Mametz Wood' and the futility of war, 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.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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 sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
pointless
having little knowledge in something
made strong or secure
the killing of many people or animals unjustly