Oh What a Lovely War: character motivation and interaction

Motivation Behind Characters

The generals are primarily driven by a sense of duty and ambition, often portrayed as caring more about the progress of the war and their own gains than the lives of the soldiers. This self-interested motivation helps to enhance the play’s satirical tone.
Soldiers, on the other hand, are shown as being compelled by a sense of national duty, need to provide for their family, or simply aren’t given a choice. Their fear, desperation, and out-of-place cheerfulness underline the inhumanity of facing death on a mass scale.
The primary motivation of women in various roles is survival and support. They adapt to the roles forced upon them by the circumstances of war, be it being a nurse, entertainer, or a recruiter.

The interaction between generals and soldiers is almost non-existent in the play. This separation underscores the huge divide between the decision-makers and the people on the front line who bear the brunt of those decisions.
Soldiers, being nameless and representing a mass, primarily interact with each other. Moments of humour, camaraderie, and shared fear act as poignant snapshots of front-line life. The lack of interaction with family or women emphasises their isolation.
The women do not often directly confront the generals, reflecting the hierarchical and gender imbalances of the era. However, their crucial roles in the infrastructure of war powerfully demonstrate the cost borne by civilian populations.

The distinct motivation behind each character or character group in “Oh What a Lovely War” is an effective way to bring out the satire and to criticise the war mongering mindset of the ruling class.
The lack of meaningful interaction between generals and soldiers reflects the class divide and underscores the mindless bureaucracy of war. It is a powerful commentary on the dehumanising effects of large-scale conflict.
The characterisation, motivation, and interaction throughout the play work together to provide a damning indictment of the First World War, with its mass death, shattered lives, and wanton futility.