* Three quatrains (four-line stanzas): Each quatrain explores a different aspect of the pre-war world and the expectations surrounding the impending conflict.
* A final couplet (two lines): This concluding couplet provides a stark contrast and a sense of foreboding about the future.
The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Here's a breakdown of the poem's structure:
Quatrain 1: Introduces the carefree atmosphere of pre-war England, with mentions of cricket, the Thames, and the simple pleasures of life.
Quatrain 2: Shifts to the burgeoning sense of nationalism and the glorification of war, highlighting the perceived honor and glory associated with service in the army.
Quatrain 3: Depicts the shared belief that the war would be short and decisive, with a swift victory for England.
Couplet: The final two lines offer a stark counterpoint, emphasizing the potential for death and the uncertainty of the future. This sudden shift in tone creates a powerful sense of foreboding.
The poem's structure reflects the gradual transition from an idyllic pre-war world to the brutal reality of war that was to come. Brooke's use of the sonnet form, a traditional and often romantic form, further emphasizes this contrast.