Discuss how Wilfred Owen portrays human suffering in his poetry.In your response make detailed reference to any TWO poems set for study.

Wilfred Owen, a renowned war poet, vividly portrays human suffering in his poetry, particularly focusing on the horrors of war. Two of his most notable poems that depict this theme are "Dulce et Decorum Est" and "Anthem for Doomed Youth".

1. "Dulce et Decorum Est": This poem is a powerful condemnation of the war propaganda that glorified the war as a noble and heroic endeavor. Owen uses graphic imagery to depict the gruesome reality of war, thereby highlighting the immense human suffering it causes. For instance, he describes a gas attack, where a soldier is depicted as "flound'ring like a man in fire or lime". This vivid image of a man dying a horrific death serves to underscore the brutal reality of war, which is far from the glorified image presented by war propagandists.

2. "Anthem for Doomed Youth": In this poem, Owen mourns the loss of young lives in war. He uses the metaphor of a funeral to depict the tragic end of these young soldiers, thereby highlighting the immense human suffering caused by war. For instance, he writes, "What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?". This line not only underscores the dehumanizing effect of war but also the sheer scale of human suffering it causes. The use of the word "cattle" suggests that these soldiers are not seen as individuals but as mere numbers, further emphasizing the tragedy of their deaths.

In both poems, Owen uses powerful imagery and metaphors to depict the harsh reality of war, thereby highlighting the immense human suffering it causes. His poetry serves as a stark reminder of the true cost of war, which is often overlooked in the glorification of war.