The Charge of the Light Brigade

Question 1

Poet

Answer 1

Alfred Tennyson

Question 2

Key Quotes

Answer 2

“Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die”

“Boldly they rode and well, into the jaws of death”

Question 3

Form

Answer 3

Third person narrative (story)
Regular, relentless rhyme = fast pace/cavalry’s advance
Rhyming couplets/triplets broken = horses/soldiers falling
Lack of rhyme scheme = chaos of war

Question 4

Language

Answer 4

Interrupted adjectives - “wonder’d”, “storm’d” = stumbles and falls of chaotic charge

Question 5

Themes

Answer 5

Reality of conflict

Identity

Question 6

Context

Answer 6

Battle between British cavalry and Russian forces during Crimean War (1853-1856)
Misunderstanding meant cavalry advanced into valley surrounded by enemy soldiers
Cavalry only had swords, Russians had guns
Virtually defenceless, many killed

Question 7

Structure

Answer 7

Stanzas are numbered as battle in chronological order
Charge of men in first 3 stanzas to battle in 4th and retreat in 5th
Final stanza summarises heroism of brigade