Charge of the Light Brigade

Question 1

Form

Answer 1

• Ballad – It’s a story and contains a refrain (line regularly repeated) which is the “six hundred”.
• Ballad suggests that it is awe – inspiring act of bravery and we should honour them.
• A ballad is passed on generations and generations so people may also never forget the blunder the general made.

Question 2

Opening

Answer 2

“Half a league, half a league, half a league onward”
* Anaphora and they are recreating the sound of the charge, or it may represent them being exposed to death for so long.
* It slows down time as if they won’t get to the Russian guns

“All in the valley of Death”
* Allusion to Psalm 23 and it is used to describe the dark and dangerous surroundings of the battlefield
* The capital D for Death personifies it and makes the valley belong to it which is supported by the “jaws of Death” which creates a sense of fear.
* Reference to David and Goliath where as both are in the valley and are both fighting big enemies. It shows bravery
* Highlights bravery and that we should respect them. It also shows that the soldiers will go to heaven and God is on their side.

Question 3

SOAPAIMS

Answer 3

“Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell”
* The soldiers know that participating in the battle is life or death, but they are very brave and want to prove themselves.
* “Hell” represents the brutal terror of the fight and how fearsome the battle is. The reference to “Jaws” and “mouth” suggest how they are walking in to a trap. This is a lexical field as these words are repeated later suggesting that they were always doomed and never had a chance,
* Animalistic imagery with the noun “jaws” as it presents death and hell as predators are hunting the soldiers like they are prey.

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

• Dactylic dimeter mirrors the galloping hoof beats of the horses, and it adds energy and pace to the poem. It helps the reader empathise with the soldiers

“Some one had blunder’d:”
* Dramatic stop represents shortness of soldiers’ death. No dactylic dimeter which draws attention to the general’s mistake. He is doing it subtly as he is Poet Laureate. He is in disgust at the blunder and thinks it is a stupid careless mistake.

Question 5

Ending

Answer 5

“Honour the charge they made! Honour”
* Repetition of “honour” emphasises how brave the soldiers and patriotic. Trying to credit them for the respect and honour they deserve
* Trying to raise emotions to show the soldiers of some remembrance. It is an imperative
* Many criticised Britain for entering the Crimean war and the Government blamed the soldiers for their incompetence. Tennyson boldly said it was the fault of the commanders and Government.
* This criticises how they conducted the war.
* The last stanza is short to show an abrupt ending as the six hundred are gone and they need to be remembered.