The Soldier Essay

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The Soldier Essay “The Soldier”, which is written by Rupert Brooke, is an extremely patriotic poem in which the speaker illustrates the beauty of England. This sonnet shows memoirs of a soldier who explains his level of patriotism to his country by declaring that he will always be proud of England and her beauty. The time period of this poem is during the outbreak of the First World War (around 1914). This poem is mainly written in a Petrarchian or Italian sonnet form. The first eight lines introduce the opening octave while the last 6 of the total 14 lines show the concluding sestet. Although this is evident, it is unlike any typical Petrarchian sonnet. Traditional Petrarchian sonnets usually focus on a resolution to a problem towards the end of the poem, while this is not evident in “The Soldier.” Also, the overall atmosphere of the poem remains constantly blissful about the soldier. In the eight lines of the octave, the rhyme scheme is set up like that of a Shakespearean sonnet in which it follows the rhythm of “ABAB CDCD.” While this is true, the last six lines of the poem (sestet) is set up like that of a Petrarchian sonnet in which it follows the rhythm of “EFG EFG.” This poem is divided into two main thoughts; the death of a soldier, and his life accomplishments towards England. The idea explaining the death of the soldier can be traced back to the first 4 lines of the sonnet. In the lines preceding line 4, the soldier’s accomplishments towards England are described. These lines also help illustrate England’s beauty. The diversity of the lines and the blend of unusual rhyme schemes help generate the fact that “The Soldier” is unlike traditional Petrarchian sonnets. The idea that the rhyme helps reinforce the sonnets thoughts are illustrated when the speaker constantly admires England and her beauty. By doing this, the poem flows better and it also
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