The Romantic Vision
As the first shots were fired, a wave of patriotism swept the world as young men ran to enlist in the army ready to defend their country in what would be the First World War. The boy’s minds clouded with dreams of adventure, patriotism, bravery, riches, and killing an “evil” enemy. They perceived the war as a chance to become a man, earn some money, gain respect among their peers and admired by the young and old. This was the romantic side of World War One.
W.N.Hodgson (1893-1916)
"Before Action"
By all the glories of the day
And the cool evening's benison,
By that last sunset touch that lay
Upon the hills where day was done,
By beauty lavishly outpoured
And blessings carelessly received,
By all the days that I have lived
Make me a soldier, Lord.
By all of man's hopes and fears,
And all the wonders poets sing,
The laughter of unclouded years,
And every sad and lovely thing;
By the romantic ages stored
With high endeavor that was his,
By all his mad catastrophes
Make me a man, O Lord.
I, that on my familiar hill
Saw with uncomprehending eyes
A hundred of Thy sunsets spill
Their fresh and sanguine sacrifice,
Ere the sun swings his noonday sword
Must say goodbye to all of this;--
By all delights that I shall miss,
Help me to die, O Lord.
The idea of patriotism was thrust upon the young men by their family and fellow citizens alike. They were defending their country and without their contribution the war would surely be lost. The fear of being a disappointment to their family and being called a coward helped to push the boys into an unfamiliar world of war. This particular poster (bottom left) displays the mentality expressed towards the young men who didn’t go to war. That by going you were a brave, young hero but by staying behind not only were you letting down your country but you were also a disappointment to your family.
As the young men marched into battle although fear was evident, there was a belief that a soldier’s death was a peaceful and honourable way to die rather than the death of a coward. As displayed in the poem (right) the poet asks to be made into a soldier,to be made into a man and finally for help to die, "Must say goodbye to all of this;--By all delights that I shall miss, Help me to die, O Lord". There is no tone of fear in the poet’s voice as he camly states he will die for his country in an act of patriotism.
The artwork of the time also depicted the emotions of the young men heading to war, the painting “Die Kriegsfackel” (Bottom Right) (1914) meaning “torch of war” was done by Alfred Kubin an Austrian artist. The painting shows the willingness of the young men to go to war and their courage to face the oncoming danger with strength.
As the men headed towards war they had two goals in mind; defending their beloved homeland and killing an evil enemy. The opposition were seen to be savages and scum who tortured and killed women and innocent people, Ted Matthews a new recruit at the time said “I was so outraged by the way the German soldiers treated the women and children of poor little Belgium that I had to enlist to stop those sort of atrocities happening again.” (Quote from “The Western Front Diaries” by Jonathan King) This was the same mind set for many of the men who enlisted in the war on either side, they couldn’t stand idly by while the ‘evil’ enemy wounded and killed the innocent.
W.N.Hodgson (1893-1916)
"Before Action"
By all the glories of the day
And the cool evening's benison,
By that last sunset touch that lay
Upon the hills where day was done,
By beauty lavishly outpoured
And blessings carelessly received,
By all the days that I have lived
Make me a soldier, Lord.
By all of man's hopes and fears,
And all the wonders poets sing,
The laughter of unclouded years,
And every sad and lovely thing;
By the romantic ages stored
With high endeavor that was his,
By all his mad catastrophes
Make me a man, O Lord.
I, that on my familiar hill
Saw with uncomprehending eyes
A hundred of Thy sunsets spill
Their fresh and sanguine sacrifice,
Ere the sun swings his noonday sword
Must say goodbye to all of this;--
By all delights that I shall miss,
Help me to die, O Lord.
The idea of patriotism was thrust upon the young men by their family and fellow citizens alike. They were defending their country and without their contribution the war would surely be lost. The fear of being a disappointment to their family and being called a coward helped to push the boys into an unfamiliar world of war. This particular poster (bottom left) displays the mentality expressed towards the young men who didn’t go to war. That by going you were a brave, young hero but by staying behind not only were you letting down your country but you were also a disappointment to your family.
As the young men marched into battle although fear was evident, there was a belief that a soldier’s death was a peaceful and honourable way to die rather than the death of a coward. As displayed in the poem (right) the poet asks to be made into a soldier,to be made into a man and finally for help to die, "Must say goodbye to all of this;--By all delights that I shall miss, Help me to die, O Lord". There is no tone of fear in the poet’s voice as he camly states he will die for his country in an act of patriotism.
The artwork of the time also depicted the emotions of the young men heading to war, the painting “Die Kriegsfackel” (Bottom Right) (1914) meaning “torch of war” was done by Alfred Kubin an Austrian artist. The painting shows the willingness of the young men to go to war and their courage to face the oncoming danger with strength.
As the men headed towards war they had two goals in mind; defending their beloved homeland and killing an evil enemy. The opposition were seen to be savages and scum who tortured and killed women and innocent people, Ted Matthews a new recruit at the time said “I was so outraged by the way the German soldiers treated the women and children of poor little Belgium that I had to enlist to stop those sort of atrocities happening again.” (Quote from “The Western Front Diaries” by Jonathan King) This was the same mind set for many of the men who enlisted in the war on either side, they couldn’t stand idly by while the ‘evil’ enemy wounded and killed the innocent.