The Charge of the Light Brigade By Alfred Tennyson 1809 - 1892

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was the Poet Laureate during most of Queen Victoria’s reign “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, written in 1854, is Tennyson’s tribute to the brave soldiers who died at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War. The Crimean War (1853 - 1856) was fought between the forces of the Russian Empire and an alliance of major European powers which included the British Empire. The prize was influence over the territories of the Ottoman Empire. The Crimean War was one of the first “modern” wars to make use of railways and telegraph. Many logistical and tactical errors were made during the land campaign. “The Charge of the Light Brigade” tells the tale of the disastrous charge of the British cavalry, led by Lord Cardigan, against the Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava on 25th October 1854. 118 men were killed and 127 men wounded. Approximately 60 men were taken prisoner, with 335 horses killed in action or destroyed later from their wounds.

The Charge of the Light Brigade This echoes the line from the Bible: ‘though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.’ This metaphorical line implies that death is all around them and may be inescapable. It also emphasises the vantage point that the Russians had. The personification of ‘Death’ creates the sense that death now stalks this place. It sounds sinister. The Charge of the Light Brigade Direct speech creates immediacy Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward. All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said: Into the valley of Death Imperatives for impact and drama. Repetition emphasises the unity and forward momentum of the soldiers. A league = 3 miles

Focus of the poem is on the Light Brigade, not the man who gave the orders. Repetition emphasises soldiers’ sense of duty. “Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismay’d? Not tho’ the soldier knew Some one had blunder’d: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Repeated phrase reinforces the inevitability of their fate.

Volley’d and thunder’d; Storm’d at with shot and shell, Anaphora= when a word is repeated at the start of several consecutive lines. Anaphora underlines that the soldiers are surrounded and subjected to an unceasing attack. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley’d and thunder’d; Storm’d at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Sibilance creates the whistling effect of artillery fire. These onomatopoeic verbs are angry and aggressive. They amplify the volume of sound of battle and underline the ominous threat from the enemy. Personification reflects the crushing effect of war upon the men. They are being consumed, ripped to shreds. It might also suggest that they are faced by monsters, underlining the horror of war. This repeated line adds to the sense of foreboding. It emphasises the large number of men but creates the sense that this won’t last. Sibilance= a repeated ‘s’ or ‘sh’ sound.

Verbs reflect the skill and daring of the brigade Verbs reflect the skill and daring of the brigade. The onomatopoeic verb ‘flash’d’ underlines the speed of the attack. Flash’d all their sabres bare, Flash’d as they turn’d in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder’d: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro’ the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel’d from the sabre-stroke Shatter’d and sunder’d. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. The verb ‘plunged’ makes us imagine the hellish nature of descending into the smoke from the cannons. The enemy Verbs underline the violence and brutality of battle. It is debilitating and destructive. Repetition of ‘not’, as well as the enjambment, reinforces the tragedy and loss – creates real emotion.

Anaphora emphasises the incessant and relentless barrage they are facing. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley’d and thunder’d; Storm’d at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro’ the jaws of Death Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. Alliteration suggests bravery and loyalty of troops. Repetition of ‘left’ shows the devastation of the brigade.

The use of the exclamative ‘O’ emphasises the admiration for these soldiers. The noun phrase ‘wild charge’ makes their actions seem dramatic and daring. Rhetorical question implies soldiers’ bravery will live forever. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder’d. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! Final lines represent Tennyson’s attitude: to praise and glorify the bravery and duty of the soldiers. Ambiguity of the verb ‘blundered’ suggests that everyone admired their heroism and defiance, but that people might also question why they were sent into this battle.

Structure and form: Six numbered stanzas of different lengths reflect the build up of battle and the loss of life. Lines have pattern of stressed followed by two unstressed syllables (dactylic rhythm). This falling rhythm, together with the poem’s repetition, mirror the momentum and galloping pace of the brigade. The poem shifts from providing a narrative of the battle to an address to the reader, causing us to reflect upon the valour of these men.