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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
William Noel Hodgson was an English poet who served in World War I and died in action at the age of 23. He was known for his poems about war, which were published posthumously in a collection called "Verse and Prose in Peace and War" (1917). "Before Action" is one of his most famous poems, written in 1916, and it reflects the courage and determination of soldiers who were about to face the dangers of war. The main theme of "Before Action" is the bravery of soldiers in the face of danger. The poem is set in the moments before a battle, and the speaker reflects on the courage and resilience of the soldiers who are about to go into battle. The poem celebrates the bravery of soldiers who are willing to risk their lives for their country and their fellow soldiers. Another theme of the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The soldiers in the poem are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and the speaker acknowledges the nobility of their actions. The language and imagery of "Before Action" are powerful and evocative. The poem is written in a simple, direct style that conveys the urgency and intensity of the moment. The use of repetition, particularly the repeated phrase "Who's for the trench," emphasizes the sense of urgency and the need for action. The imagery of the poem is vivid and often violent, with images of "crimsoned torrents" and "wild fusillade." These images create a sense of chaos and destruction, but they also underscore the courage and determination of the soldiers who are willing to face these dangers. "Before Action" is a short, free-verse poem with three stanzas of unequal length. The first two stanzas are each three lines long, while the third stanza is four lines long. The poem has a loose, irregular structure that reflects the chaos and uncertainty of the moment. The repetition of the phrase "Who's for the trench" creates a sense of rhythm and urgency, and the short, choppy lines give the poem a sense of urgency and intensity. "Before Action" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the courage and determination of soldiers facing the dangers of war. Hodgson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative picture of the chaos and violence of battle, but also underscores the nobility and bravery of those who are willing to face these dangers. The poem's structure and repetition create a sense of urgency and intensity that reflects the urgency of the moment. Overall, "Before Action" is a powerful tribute to the courage and sacrifice of soldiers in times of war.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |
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