Final answer:
Paul describes soldiers' complex emotions as a combination of fearlessness, anger, despair, and stubborn resolve. They experience intense feelings before and during battle, swinging from bravery to the vivid horror of defeat, driven by both necessity and the promise of rewards.
Step-by-step explanation:
In chapter six, Paul describes the feelings of the soldiers while attacking the enemy with a mixture of emotions that reflect the brutal realities of war. The soldiers experience a range of feelings from fearlessness in desperate situations to a stubborn resolve when facing insurmountable odds. We learn of their bravery, despair, and the sense of unreality that blankets their perception. The passages suggest that soldiers are driven to anger for the purpose of killing the enemy and that rewards are necessary for them to see the advantage in defeating their adversaries. Moreover, soldiers may initially weep when ordered to battle, yet display extraordinary courage when cornered. The intense emotions culminate before battle, filled with dreams of heroism and glory, but also the inevitable recognition of possible defeat and death.