One of the definite strengths of this poem is the way that it
sets us up with definite expectations about what to expect because of its title, and then
presents us with the exact opposite. With such a title, we expect a poem exploring the glory of
soldiers and their bravery as they commit valiant deeds. However, note how soldiers are presented
in the first two lines of the poem:
Bent double, like old beggars under
sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through
sludge...
The brave and noble soldiers
we expect to meet are presented as dehumanised wrecks of human beings, with descriptive words
such as "old beggars" and "knock-kneed" presenting them as old men, already half-dead. "Hag" is a
term used to describe a very old woman who is normally not very attractive, so this word adds to
the presentation of the soldiers. Of course, such descriptive words help convey the theme of the
poem: that it is anything but sweet and noble to die for your country.
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