Charge of the Light Brigade - Analysis

Question 1

Half a league, half a league,

Half a league onward,

Answer 1

The rhythm sounds like galloping horses’ hooves - it gives the impression that the horses are unstoppable

Question 2

All in the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

Answer 2

DEATH - sounds sinister! The reader is warned from the start that something bad is going to happen.

Question 3

‘Forward the Light Brigade!

Charge for the guns!’ he said:

Answer 3

“…he said:” - Shows that the commanding officer is speaking here.

Question 4

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

Answer 4

600 - They are presented as one group with one purpose.

Question 5

‘Forward, the Light Brigade!’
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Some one had blundered:

Answer 5

Soldiers realise the order was a mistake but do what they are told because it’s their duty to follow orders - the poet respects them for this.

Question 6

Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:

Answer 6

Rhyme and repetition emphasise the soldiers’ obedience and sense of duty, even though they know they will almost certainly be killed.

Question 7

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

Answer 7

There’s a line in Psalm 23 of the Bible that says: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

Using Biblical references makes the poem seem solemn and significant.