The Charge of the Light Brigade

Question 1

‘Forward, the/ Light Brigade!’
‘Was there a/ man dismayed?’

Answer 1

dactylic dimeter -
.adds energy and pace to the poem
.used to create awe at the bravery of the soldiers
.helps to empathise with the soldiers
.the sound of the meter mirrors the galloping hoofbeats of the horse
.makes us imagine the sound of battle

Question 2

‘Someone had / blundered’

Answer 2

Doesn’t follow the dactylic dimeter
.shortening of the soldiers life
.subtly drawing attention to the mistake of the aristocratic leadership
.

Question 3

‘valley of Death’

Answer 3

.religious imagery
.in the first verse
.immediately shows significance
.soldiers bravery
.David and Goliath comparisons
e.g. both battles happened in valleys

Question 4

‘All the world wonder’d’

Answer 4

positive = awestruck by the bravery of the soldiers
negative = question the mistake being made
subtle reminders of the mistakes

Question 5

‘Theirs not to make reply’
‘Theirs not to reason why’
‘Theirs not to do or die’

Answer 5

mourn the absence of individual freedom