WAR POETRYWAR POETRY

War PoetryWar Poetry

War poems were War poems were written by men and written by men and women during and women during and after most wars.after most wars.

They were written by They were written by people both directly people both directly involved in fighting involved in fighting and not.and not.

Many famous war Many famous war poems by English poems by English writers came after writers came after WWI because this was WWI because this was the first war in which the first war in which ordinary educated ordinary educated English civilians took English civilians took part, either by part, either by voluntary enlistment voluntary enlistment or later conscription.or later conscription.

There was a period during There was a period during and directly after the and directly after the war, when almost any war, when almost any young man who could young man who could express his thoughts express his thoughts and feelings in verse and feelings in verse could get himself could get himself published, however published, however many of these have many of these have since been forgotten. since been forgotten. Others have remained Others have remained famous and popular, famous and popular, even today.even today.

FIRST PHASEFIRST PHASE

At the beginning, At the beginning, many poems many poems glorified war and glorified war and pushed for men to pushed for men to enlist. These were enlist. These were often published in often published in the press.the press.

SECOND PHASESECOND PHASE

‘‘Soldier poets’ wrote about Soldier poets’ wrote about their own experiences their own experiences during war. They during war. They referred to Honour, Duty referred to Honour, Duty and Sacrifice. Many of and Sacrifice. Many of these men later died in these men later died in battle and had their battle and had their poems published by poems published by proud parents to proud parents to immortalise their sons. immortalise their sons. This dramatic style was This dramatic style was often mocked.often mocked.

THIRD PHASETHIRD PHASE

Towards the end and Towards the end and following the war there following the war there were more negative and were more negative and realistic war poems realistic war poems published. They published. They resented the fake resented the fake ‘heroes’ of earlier ‘heroes’ of earlier poems, and instead poems, and instead wanted to tell about wanted to tell about real heroism, boredom, real heroism, boredom, death and suffering. death and suffering. Many of these poets are Many of these poets are still remembered and still remembered and admired today.admired today.

Background to the First World Background to the First World WarWar

In 1914, Europe was divided by two great In 1914, Europe was divided by two great alliances: Britain and her Empire, France, alliances: Britain and her Empire, France, Russia, Serbia and Italy against Germany, Russia, Serbia and Italy against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey. Austria-Hungary and Turkey.

Tensions – based on political, military and Tensions – based on political, military and colonial rivalries – had been rising since colonial rivalries – had been rising since 1900. Balkan terrorists created a flash point 1900. Balkan terrorists created a flash point in Bosnia in June 1914, when a teenage in Bosnia in June 1914, when a teenage assassin shot the heir to the throne of the assassin shot the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie.and his wife Sophie.

By August, Europe was at war. This By August, Europe was at war. This continued until November 1918.continued until November 1918.

There was extreme fighting until the There was extreme fighting until the end. The Central Powers (German end. The Central Powers (German etc) lost 3.5 million men; the Allies etc) lost 3.5 million men; the Allies (Britain etc) lost over 5 million.(Britain etc) lost over 5 million.

On average 5,600 soldiers were killed On average 5,600 soldiers were killed each day of the Great War.each day of the Great War.

WAR – Why would you?WAR – Why would you?

Task:Task:

In your exercise book, draw a table with two In your exercise book, draw a table with two columns.columns.

On one side, write all the reasons FOR going to On one side, write all the reasons FOR going to war.war.

On the other side, write all the reasons for NOT On the other side, write all the reasons for NOT going to war.going to war.

WHICH LIST IS LONGER? WHY?WHICH LIST IS LONGER? WHY?