Charge Of The Light Brigade Flashcards
Based on….
The Crimean war
Written by…
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Inspired by…
Troops that were sent to fight Russia with almost certain death- most died
Inspired by the bravery
What are some key images of the poem? And what quote supports that?
Death.
“Into the valley of death” metaphor, which links to the bible “valley of the shadow of death” which provides a sense of duty and honour from the soldiers.
What themes are evident in the poem?
Heroism and nobility, which links to the time as nobility was extremely important and respected.
Loyalty due to the men following the seemingly suicidal orders of their commander.
What does “theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die” Show?
The fluidity of this stanza emphasises the bravery and obedience of the soldiers as it proves how they aren’t faltering in their orders.
How does the poem create tension?
We understand that the outcome of the battle will not be a happy one, much like the soldiers do as we are shown when Tennyson writes “ the soldiers knew
Someone had blunder’d.”
Why are there some religious references in this poem?
The link to the bible is due to the time it was written where everybody was religious and it was seen as a sin if you weren’t, however it also may have been used to emphasise the good in the soldiers as the bible has heavenly and brave connotations
What does the structure of this poem do?
The structure of the poem is Dactylic meaning that there is one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllable. The effect of 2 dactyls on a line is that the poem seems to boom confidently and represent the bravery of the men.
What does the use of repetition in this poem do?
The repetition suggests that the charge was relentless and that the soldiers were determined to succeed.
Give a metaphor used in this poem
“Jaws of death” This metaphor is to make death seem increasingly close and menacing so that the reader can see and feel the terror the soldiers faced but also to highlight that death is becoming increasingly more human, which could possibly represent the power mother nature has as over time she continues on even without human life.
How does the poem link to conflict?
The poem is filled with literal conflict between the Russian and British but also lack of conflict between their own men, as once given the order there is little self conflict with what to do only bravery and nobility.
How does the poem link to power?
The poem highlights the power of human error as without it six hundred men wouldn’t have ridden to their deaths. Also it represents the power of their courage and nobility that they were willing to all die for their country and fellow soldiers.
Give an example of alliteration in the poem
“storm’d at with shot and shell” This is also sibilance it it makes the reader concentrate on the noise of the event. The repetition of the s gives a sinister edge to the enemy with their cannons.
Give an example of sibilance in the poem
“sabre stroke
Shattered and sunder’d” This extends the threatening and menacing force from the courageous British soldiers, and reveals to us how close they must be to defeat the Russians and therefore the strength needed to be victorious due to hand to hand combat compared the cannons from the Russians.
