The Charge Of The Light Brigade Flashcards
How does it start?
“Half a league, half a league”.
How does it end?
“Left of six hundred”.
What does the repetition of ‘half a league’ show?
It shows how far they have to go.
What is the biblical reference and what does it create a sense of?
‘Valley of death’ it creates a sense of foreshadowing death.
What are the three repeated lines starting with ‘theirs’ and what does that suggest?
“Theirs not to make reply
Theirs not to reason why
Theirs but to do and die”.
The rhyme and repetition implies the sense of duty and patriotism as they would die for their country.
What is the repetition of the three sentences starting with ‘canon’ and what does it show?
“Cannon to the left of them
Cannon to the right of them
Cannon in front of them”.
Shows that they are surrounded.
Repetition emphasises heavy machinery which contrasts to their light armour. Also replicates the sound of gunfire.
What do the aggressive verbs ‘volley’d’ and ‘thunder’d’ show?
Shows the aggression of the battle.
What is the repetition of the two sentences starting with ‘flash’d’ and what does it show?
“Flash’d all their sabres bare
Flash’d as they turn’d in air”.
The repetition highlights the brutality.
Form
6 stanzas, irregular stanza lengths, irregular rhyme scheme.
