If you love poetry and teaching, then you know that great quotes from literature can be a powerful way to engage your students in meaningful dialogue.
Quotes about battle make interesting topics for discussion because they explore the idea of struggle and overcoming adversity, which are universal themes we all face in our lives at some point or another.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best quotes about the battle from renowned poets like Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson — and discuss how these words can help your classroom conversations soar to new heights!
Related: For more, check out our article on Poems About WWI here.
Poetry Quotes About Battle
“I am banished from the patient men who fight. They smote my heart to pity, built my pride. Shoulder to aching shoulder, side by side, They trudged away…” – Siegfried Sassoon, The War Poems
“Show yourselves men my friends, and keep a stout heart. Think of your honour. With all men’s eyes upon you it is a shame to be a coward. He that fights and will…” – Unknown source, War Poetry Quotes
“The wise warrior avoids the battle. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” – Unknown source, Quotes about War + 8 Poems
“My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity…Those who have no hope pass their old age shrouded with an inward gloom…” – Wilfred Owen
“Those who can win a war well can rarely make a good peace, and those who could make a good peace would never have won the war.” – Unknown source, Victory & Defeat Quotes
“They’re out to show their grit,. And tackle jobs with energy and knack. No longer caged and penned up,. They’re going to keep their end up.” – Jessie Pope, War Poetry Quotes
“In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity.” – Winston Churchill
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” – Douglas MacArthur
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” – Laurence Binyon, ‘For The Fallen’
“Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’
“Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.” – Wilfred Owen, ‘Dulce et Decorum est’
“Battle’s magnificently stern array! The thunder-clouds close o’er it, which when rent The earth is covered thick with other clay, Which her own clay shall cover, heaped and pent.” – Lord Byron, ‘Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage’
“I am banished from the patient men who fight. They smote my heart to pity, built my pride. Shoulder to aching shoulder, side by side, They trudged away…” – Siegfried Sassoon.
“The wise warrior avoids the battle. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” – Unknown.
“Show yourselves men my friends, and keep a stout heart. Think of your honour.” – Unknown.
“In a war situation or where violence and injustice are prevalent, poetry is called upon to be something more than a thing of beauty.” – Unknown.
“My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.” – Wilfred Owen.
“They’re out to show their grit,. And tackle jobs with energy and knack. No longer caged and penned up,. They’re going to keep their end up.” – Jessie Pope.
“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons…” – Unknown.
“I am banished from the patient men who fight. They smote my heart to pity, built my pride. Shoulder to aching shoulder, side by side, They trudged away…” – Siegfried Sassoon, The War Poems (source: Goodreads)
“The wise warrior avoids the battle. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” – Unknown source (source: The Digital Reader)
“Show yourselves men my friends, and keep a stout heart. Think of your honour.” – Unknown source (source: Goodreads)
“In a war situation or where violence and injustice are prevalent, poetry is called upon to be something more than a thing of beauty.” – Unknown source (source: Quote Master)
“My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity.” – Wilfred Owen (source: BrainyQuote)
“They’re out to show their grit,. And tackle jobs with energy and knack. No longer caged and penned up,. They’re going to keep their end up.” – Jessie Pope (source: Grade Saver)
“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons…” – Unknown source (source: BrainyQuote)
Using Battle Poetry in Teaching
Incorporating History and Context
Poetry about battles can be a powerful tool to help students understand historical events. By exploring the emotions, experiences, and perspectives captured in these poems, students can gain a deeper understanding of the human impact of these events. This can make historical events more relatable and memorable for students.
Enhancing Literary Skills
Battle poetry often employs rich literary devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, and alliteration. Teachers can use these poems to help students understand and identify these techniques in action. Analyzing how poets use language to evoke emotion and imagery can greatly enhance students’ literary analysis skills.
Encouraging Empathy and Reflection
Poetry about battles can also be a catalyst for discussions about the human cost of war. These poems often highlight the suffering, bravery, and sacrifice associated with war. By engaging with these themes, students can develop empathy and a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of conflict.
Inspiring Creative Writing
Using battle poetry in teaching can also inspire students to write their own poems. Teachers can encourage students to emulate the style, structure, or themes of the poems they study. This can be a powerful way for students to express their understanding and personal reflections on the topics discussed.
Facilitating Group Discussions
Battle poetry can also serve as a springboard for group discussions. Teachers can pose questions about the poem’s themes, the poet’s perspective, or the historical context of the poem. These discussions can help students develop critical thinking skills and learn to articulate and defend their interpretations.
In conclusion, the power of poetry lies not only in its aesthetic beauty but also in its ability to inspire dialogue and introspection. The quotes about battle from renowned poets like Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson are profound reflections on the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.
They offer valuable insights that can spark meaningful discussions in the classroom, helping students connect literature to their own life experiences.
Whether used as an entry point into a historical event, a tool for literary analysis, or a catalyst for personal reflection, these powerful quotes about battle can undoubtedly elevate your teaching approach and enrich your students’ learning experience.
