why after blenheim is a antiwar poem?
Answers
Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
After Blenheim’ by Robert Southey is an anti-war poem that centres around one of the major battles of eighteenth century – the Battle of Blenheim. In the poem, Kaspar represents the ordinary common people who believe in the claims of authority. He is a common farmer who ploughs the field and grows crops.
Kaspar belongs to that group of people who believe in warmongers who always glorify war to support their own cause by motivating youths to join the army and “sacrifice” their lives for the nation. Kaspar believes in the romantic ideals regarding war and feel proud for the “famous victory” of the English army. He repeatedly utters ‘It was a famous victory’ though it came at the expense of thousands of lives. In fact, he himself was a sufferer, but he feels that these things happen at every famous victory.
Through a conversation between Kaspar and his grandchildren, the poet gradually reveals the scene of a former battlefield. The instances lead to the revelation of the tragic end of war & the vulnerability of human life. The poem shows us how devastating wars are, not to mention the thousands of casualties.
Kaspar has no reason to support his claims of a “great victory”. This is an indication that Kaspar is symbolic of the old people with their old beliefs. They are afraid to think against the authorities, against the set ideals. They are rather conservative and choose to stick to what they have known so far. Kaspar can be viewed as a perfect foil to his grandchildren who represent new ideas, out of the box thinking and questioning things.
Answer: The reason is given below:-
Step-by-step explanation:
- Robert Southey's "After Blenheim" is an anti-war poem about the Battle of Blenheim. Kaspar depicts commoners who believe authority claims. He ploughs and grows crops.
- Kaspar is a warmonger who believes in persuading teenagers to join the army and "sacrifice" their lives for the nation. Kaspar is sentimental about war and proud of England's "great victory." He says, "It was a famous triumph," but hundreds died. He himself suffered, but he believes this happens after every spectacular triumph.
- The poet reveals a war through Kaspar's chat with his grandchildren. The cases reveal the devastating end of war and human weakness. The poem depicts how destructive wars are and how many die.
- Kaspar can't claim a "big win." Kaspar represents ancient people with old beliefs. They fear going against authorities and ideas. They're conservative and prefer what they know. Kaspar's grandkids represent new ideas, out-of-the-box thinking, and questioning.
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