Poetry - The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Question 1

Give the context for ‘CLB’

Answer 1

• The Crimean was a conflict between Russia and the Ottomen empire, but then France and Britain got involved
• The light brigade were often lower class people who were lightly armoured and on horseback

Question 2

Describe the regular and broken and rhyming in ‘CLB’

Answer 2

• The rhymes quicken the pace of the poem
• But unrhymed lines break up the regularity. They mirror the chaos and confusion of the battle as the soldiers fall

Question 3

Describe the regular rhythm in ‘CLB’

Answer 3

• Creates a fast pace and mimics the movement of the horses galloping towards the enemy
• The fast-paced rhythm reflects their relentless drive forwards
• Hints at the inevitability

Question 4

Why are their 6 stanzas in ‘CLB’?

Answer 4

To commemorate the 600 men who died

Question 5

How is heroic language used in ‘CLB’?

Answer 5

• Highlights the bravery and the sacrifice the soldiers made
• “Boldy”
• “Noble”
• “Charging”

Question 6

Describe the repetition of “honour” in ‘CLB’

Answer 6

• “Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade Noble six hundred.”
• Cements the poet’s message that these men are worthy of a reader’s admiration and respects

Question 7

Finish the quote: ‘The valley of…’ and describe it

Answer 7

• “The valley of Death”
• This metaphor and the horrific images highlight the danger of the situation and the brutal fate that awaited them

Question 8

How are violent verbs used in ‘CLB’?

Answer 8

• They emphasise the chaos of the situation
• “Volleyed”
• “Thundered”
  “Stormed”

Question 9

How is personification used in ‘CLB’?

Answer 9

• “Jaws of Death”
• Highlight the danger of the situation and brutal fate that awaited them

Question 10

Describe the repetition of “flash’d” in ‘CLB’?

Answer 10

Creates a vivid image of fighting

Question 11

Finish the quote: ‘Theirs not to make reply,…’ and describe it

Answer 11

• “Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Their but to do and die.”
• The repetition and rhyme here empathise the lack of control the soldiers have over their fate
• In an almost robotic way, they have been conditioned to follow instructions, not matter what they might be

Question 12

Finish the quote ‘Cannon to right of them…’ and describe it

Answer 12

• “Cannon to right of them Cannon to left of them Cannon in front of them.”
• Highlights how helpless the soldiers are to defend themselves against on onslaught of enemy fire
• Highlights how their fate is inescapable and they are trapped

Question 13

Describe the repetition of “rode the six hundred”

Answer 13

• Highlights how they rode as one group, dehumanising him, and has an ominous feel
• Creates a sense that they kept going with no power to stop

Question 14

How is a sombre tone created in ‘CLB’?

Answer 14

With the phrase “not the six hundred” because the reader is encouraged to think about the extent of the loss

Question 15

Describe the use of rhetorical questions in ‘CLB’?

Answer 15

• “When can their glory fade?”
• The rhetorical questions at the end encourage the reader to think for themselves about how to honour the men that lost their lives

Question 16

What can you compare ‘CLB’ to the theme of the conflict between man and nature?

Answer 16

• Storm on the Island
• The Prelude
• Exposure

Question 17

What can you compare ‘CLB’ to with the theme of the reality of conflict?

Answer 17

• War Photographer
• Charge of the Light Brigade
• Remains
• Exposure

Question 18

What can you compare ‘CLB’ to with the theme of internal conflict?

Answer 18

• Kamikaze
• Poppies

Question 19

Give similarities of ‘CLB’ between ‘Bayonet Charge’

Answer 19

Criticise the leaders of war. There is the implication in both that propaganda is a powerful tool in the public attitude to war

Question 20

Give differences of ‘CLB’ between ‘Bayonet Charge’

Answer 20

• CLB praises the blind obedience of the soldiers whilst in Bayonet charge, the perception of honour is challenged
• CLB presents the soldier’s bravery, opposingly Bayonet Charge encourages the questioning of war
• CLB has a quick pace to glorify the action whereas Bayonet Charge presents was as a source of fear and panic

Question 21

Give similarities ‘CLB’ between ‘Exposure’

Answer 21

• Critical of military’s leaders
• Repeat phrases to criticise how violence and military mistakes continue to repeat themselves

Question 22

Give differences ‘CLB’ between ‘Exposure

Answer 22

• CLB was not able to outwardly critical of the government but Exposure did not have these restrictions
• CLB was critical of rash action whereas Owen detests the waiting in the trenches