WAR POETRY

War Poetry War poems were written by men and women during and after most wars. They were written by people both directly involved in fighting and not.

Many famous war poems by English writers came after WWI because this was the first war in which ordinary educated English civilians took part, either by voluntary enlistment or later conscription. There was a period during and directly after the war, when almost any young man who could express his thoughts and feelings in verse could get himself published, however many of these have since been forgotten. Others have remained famous and popular, even today.

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

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

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

Background to the First World War In 1914, Europe was divided by two great alliances: Britain and her Empire, France, Russia, Serbia and Italy against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey. Tensions – based on political, military and colonial rivalries – had been rising since Balkan terrorists created a flash point in Bosnia in June 1914, when a teenage assassin shot the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie.

By August, Europe was at war. This continued until November There was extreme fighting until the end. The Central Powers (German etc) lost 3.5 million men; the Allies (Britain etc) lost over 5 million. On average 5,600 soldiers were killed each day of the Great War.

WAR – Why would you? Task: In your exercise book, draw a table with two columns. On one side, write all the reasons FOR going to war. On the other side, write all the reasons for NOT going to war. WHICH LIST IS LONGER? WHY?