Comparing ideas of war in Hardy’s ‘Drummer Hodge’ and Armitage’s ‘Remains’

Both Hardy and Armitage arguably depict the dehumanising effect of war through the treatment of fallen soldiers’ bodies. Arguably, both Hardy and Armitage suggest that the soldiers were somewhere that they didn’t belong. While Hardy may imply the soldiers’ ignorance of the realities of war, Armitage arguably shows the uncertainty of war. We might interpret the regular rhyme of ‘Drummer Hodge’ as showing ideas of inevitability. However, the irregularity of ‘Remains’ may instead suggest the unpredictable nature of war.