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Analysis and Comparison: The Soldier and Dulce Et Decorum Est

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paige gibbs

@paigegibbs_vuvr

Rupert Brooke's "The Soldier" presents an idealistic, patriotic view of... Show more

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology

Rupert Broope
diedina foreign
Londinever
experienceo
wor, port ofnin
we aways
remain in Engord
him

The S

The Soldier by Rupert Brooke

Brooke opens with the striking line "If I should die, think only this of me," immediately establishing the poem's theme of mortality and remembrance. He creates a beautiful image of a soldier's grave in "some corner of a foreign field/That is for ever England," suggesting that wherever an English soldier falls, that ground becomes part of England itself.

The poet uses rich imagery to emphasize his deep love for England, describing how his homeland "bore, shaped, made aware" the speaker. Phrases like "breathing English air" and "washed by the rivers blest by suns of home" paint England as both nurturing mother and sacred space. This patriotic sentiment flows throughout the sonnet, portraying England as something that lives within each of its citizens.

In the final section, Brooke suggests that even in death, the soldier continues to serve his country. The heart with "all evil shed away" creates a sense of purification through sacrifice. The closing line's "English heaven" reinforces the poem's peaceful tone and suggestion that dying for one's country leads to a tranquil afterlife.

Remember: Brooke wrote this before experiencing actual combat, which explains why the poem presents such an idealized view of war death, quite different from the harsh realities portrayed by poets who experienced trench warfare firsthand.

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology

Rupert Broope
diedina foreign
Londinever
experienceo
wor, port ofnin
we aways
remain in Engord
him

The S

Context and Significance

Rupert Brooke never experienced active combat in World War I, dying of blood poisoning before seeing the brutal realities of trench warfare. His burial in Cyprus ironically fulfilled his poem's prophecy about being laid to rest in "a foreign field." This biographical detail helps explain the poem's idealistic view of war sacrifice.

The poem functions almost as a love letter to England, romanticizing both the country and the act of dying for it. Brooke's language creates a stark contrast with other WWI poets like Wilfred Owen, whose "Dulce et Decorum Est" presents the horrific reality of gas attacks and battlefield deaths. While Owen shows soldiers "floundering like a man in fire or lime," Brooke portrays death as peaceful and meaningful.

When analyzing "The Soldier," consider how the poem's treatment of death differs from reality. Lines like "a pulse in the eternal mind" suggest the soldier achieves a form of immortality through patriotic sacrifice. This creates a comfortable narrative about war that many found appealing early in WWI, before the true horrors became widely known.

Exam tip: Compare Brooke's peaceful, patriotic tone with the brutal realism of other WWI poets to demonstrate your understanding of different perspectives on war poetry. This contrast makes for excellent analysis in essays!



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English Literature

512

8 Dec 2025

2 pages

Analysis and Comparison: The Soldier and Dulce Et Decorum Est

user profile picture

paige gibbs

@paigegibbs_vuvr

Rupert Brooke's "The Soldier" presents an idealistic, patriotic view of dying for one's country during World War I. Written before Brooke experienced actual combat, this sonnet portrays death in battle as a noble sacrifice, with England's essence continuing through the... Show more

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology

Rupert Broope
diedina foreign
Londinever
experienceo
wor, port ofnin
we aways
remain in Engord
him

The S

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The Soldier by Rupert Brooke

Brooke opens with the striking line "If I should die, think only this of me," immediately establishing the poem's theme of mortality and remembrance. He creates a beautiful image of a soldier's grave in "some corner of a foreign field/That is for ever England," suggesting that wherever an English soldier falls, that ground becomes part of England itself.

The poet uses rich imagery to emphasize his deep love for England, describing how his homeland "bore, shaped, made aware" the speaker. Phrases like "breathing English air" and "washed by the rivers blest by suns of home" paint England as both nurturing mother and sacred space. This patriotic sentiment flows throughout the sonnet, portraying England as something that lives within each of its citizens.

In the final section, Brooke suggests that even in death, the soldier continues to serve his country. The heart with "all evil shed away" creates a sense of purification through sacrifice. The closing line's "English heaven" reinforces the poem's peaceful tone and suggestion that dying for one's country leads to a tranquil afterlife.

Remember: Brooke wrote this before experiencing actual combat, which explains why the poem presents such an idealized view of war death, quite different from the harsh realities portrayed by poets who experienced trench warfare firsthand.

WJEC Eduqas GCSE Poetry Anthology

Rupert Broope
diedina foreign
Londinever
experienceo
wor, port ofnin
we aways
remain in Engord
him

The S

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Context and Significance

Rupert Brooke never experienced active combat in World War I, dying of blood poisoning before seeing the brutal realities of trench warfare. His burial in Cyprus ironically fulfilled his poem's prophecy about being laid to rest in "a foreign field." This biographical detail helps explain the poem's idealistic view of war sacrifice.

The poem functions almost as a love letter to England, romanticizing both the country and the act of dying for it. Brooke's language creates a stark contrast with other WWI poets like Wilfred Owen, whose "Dulce et Decorum Est" presents the horrific reality of gas attacks and battlefield deaths. While Owen shows soldiers "floundering like a man in fire or lime," Brooke portrays death as peaceful and meaningful.

When analyzing "The Soldier," consider how the poem's treatment of death differs from reality. Lines like "a pulse in the eternal mind" suggest the soldier achieves a form of immortality through patriotic sacrifice. This creates a comfortable narrative about war that many found appealing early in WWI, before the true horrors became widely known.

Exam tip: Compare Brooke's peaceful, patriotic tone with the brutal realism of other WWI poets to demonstrate your understanding of different perspectives on war poetry. This contrast makes for excellent analysis in essays!

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iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user