Introduction to World War 1 Literature

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Programme

In the coming lessons we will discuss World War I 

and some British war poets:

- Rupert Brooke 

- Siegfried Sassoon 

- Wilfred Owen

The Great War

What do you know?

What do you know about WW1 ?

A different take on war

We are going to listen to two war poems. 

Compare them both and prepare to explain which one you think is the better one and why. 

For the first one you will get some additional questions. 

Rubert Brooke

1. While listening pay attention to the tone of the poem. What can you say about this?

2. When during this war do you think this poem was written? Explain your answer.

Rupert Brooke - The Soldier 

Rubert Brooke

1. While listening pay attention to the tone of the poem. What can you say about this?

2. When during this war do you think this poem was written? Explain your answer.

Wilfred Owen - Dulce et Decorum est

A different take on war

We have listened to two war poems. 

Compare them both and to explain which one you think is the better one and why. 

Discuss with you neighbour

Which poem do you prefer?

Poetry WW I part 2

Use 1 word to describe WW1

Life in the trenches

Watch this video, take notes, summarize its contents and make sure you can explain afterwards what it was about.

Summary of Life as a soldier in world war I

Rupert Brooke (1887-1915): War Sonnets

Why is the date on which Rupert Brooke died possibly relevant for the tone of his poems?

A sonnet has...

1. 18 lines
2. 12 lines
3. 20 lines
4. 14 lines

Het sonnet bestaat uit veertien regels en is één van de populairste dichtvormen in de geschiedenis van de westerse literatuur. Het bestaat uit twee kwatrijnen (stukjes van vier regels; samen een octaaf) en twee terzinen (drie regels; samen een sextet). Meestal is er een twist of wending na de octaaf, (9de regel)genaamd de volta.

Find the correct translation of: 'strofe'

1. stanza
2. line
3. strophe
4. rhyme

What is a stanza (strofe)?

1. Een alinea in een gedicht
2. Een rijmregel in een gedicht
3. Een refrein in een gedicht
4. Hetzelfde als een sextet

Sonnet

This poem is a sonnet because it has 14 lines

8 in the first stanza

6 in the second stanza

How does this make you feel?

Examples of elements used in poems

Imagery: Vivid descriptions that evoskes sensory experiences.

Example: “The golden leaves danced in the crisp autumn air.”

Rhyme: The repetition of sounds at the end of lines.

Example: “Roses are red, / Violets are blue, / Sugar is sweet, / And so are you.”

Theme: The central idea or message of the poem.

Example: Love, nature, loss, or identity.

Symbolism: Using symbols to represent larger concepts.

Example: A dove representing peace.

Stanza Structure: The arrangement of lines into groups (stanzas).

Example: A quatrain (four lines) followed by a tercet (three lines).

Tone: The poet’s attitude toward the subject.

Example: A nostalgic tone in a poem reflecting on childhood.

Form: The specific format of the poem, like sonnet, haiku, or free verse.

Example: A traditional sonnet has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme.

Voice: The unique style and perspective of the speaker in the poem.

Example: A first-person narrative that conveys personal emotions and experiences.

These elements work together to create the depth and resonance of a poem!

Stanza Structure: The arrangement of lines into groups (stanzas).

Example: A quatrain (four lines) followed by a tercet (three lines).

Tone: The poet’s attitude toward the subject.

Example: A nostalgic tone in a poem reflecting on childhood.

Form: The specific format of the poem, like sonnet, haiku, or free verse.

Example: A traditional sonnet has 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme.

Voice: The unique style and perspective of the speaker in the poem.

Example: A first-person narrative that conveys personal emotions and experiences.

Continue in reader 

p. 9

Life in the trenches

Watch this video, take notes, summarize its contents and make sure you can explain afterwards what it was about.