Formalist Analysis of W. H. Audin’s Poem Shield of Achilles

Abstract

The basic aim of the study was to critical analysis of the best know poem of W. H. Auden. An approach was adopted to analyze this poem under the formalism theory. After the end of 2nd World War, The Shield of Achilles was written by Auden. Auden argues that modern world is materialistic. There is inhumanity everywhere in the world, life is dull and void of joy. Ordinary and prosperous life could not be seen around the world.  Auden contrasted the modern world with ancient times. The content source of this poem is derived from Homer’s Iliad. In the homer epic, the key theme of the poem is Trojan War. Grand characters of the Trojan War were glorified in the Homer’s Iliad. In this epic, the mother of Achilles, Thetis, requested the Hephaestus, the god, to make a specific shield for Achilles so that he could be able to get victory against Troy in the war.