Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how Sheers presents the legacy of war in the poem.
Key learning points
- Sheers uses a semantic field of fragility to demonstrate how delicate the soldiers were versus the brutality of war.
- The poet compares the soldiers’ bodies to beautiful, but very fragile objects.
- Sheers uses imagery to illustrate what a senseless waste of life war is; he illustrates the devastating legacy of war.
- The poet uses the poem to show us how war affects not only people, but nature too.
- Arguably, the poem itself is a memorial to commemorate the Welsh soldiers of the 38th division.
Keywords
Legacy - the long-lasting impact of a set of events/ what is left behind
Brutality - extremely violent and destructive
Imagery - words that create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind
Testimony - when something is evidence or proof of something
To commemorate - to remember something or someone and pay respect to it/them
Common misconception
Students fail to recognise that the poem itself is a kind of memorial for the 38th division in the Battle of Mametz Wood.
The poem immortalises the Welsh soldiers in the 38th division, who lay undiscovered for decades, their stories untold. In this sense, the poem itself has become these soldiers' legacy.
Teacher tip
If students have studied 'Ozymandias' it would generate interesting discussion to compare this poem with Ozymandias, thinking about how both poems can be considered their subjects' legacies.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the Eduqas poetry anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is a group of words or expressions that are related in meaning.
Q2.Imagery is...
Q3.In 'Mametz Wood', Sheers shows that war not only impacts people but also...
Q4.What is the definition of 'legacy'?
Q5.In 'Mametz Wood' how many bodies were found according to the speaker?
Q6.If something is fragile it is....
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definition.
the long-lasting impact of a set of events/ what is left behind
extremely violent and destructive
words that create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind
when something is evidence or proof of something
to remember something or someone and pay respect to it/them
Q2.What does Sheers' use of imagery in 'Mametz Wood' show?
Q3.In what way could the soldiers in 'Mametz Wood' be said to be valuable?
Q4.In 'Mametz Wood' Sheers compares the soldiers’ bodies to beautiful, but very objects.
Q5.Why might Sheers have wanted to write 'Mametz Wood'?
Q6.Sheers uses a of fragility in 'Mametz Wood' to demonstrate how delicate the soldiers were versus the brutality of war.
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing how Sheers presents the brutality and legacy of war in 'Mametz Wood', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Poetry anthology (Assessment until summer 2026) unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.