The Charge of the Light Brigade

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

the poem explores the traditional idea of patriotism and honor through the voice of the poet Laurette who would have to be moderate in their writing
Crimean war - initially it was a war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire however France and Britain joined to stop the expansion of Russia. It was well documented and many mistakes were made by the British

Question 2

Key Ideas

Answer 2

Fragilty of life -shows how soldiers lives were at the hands of the commanders who regularly made bad decisions leading to uigh casualties

Question 3

Form

Answer 3

Ballad Form - a historic poetry form used to commemorate a story
Dactylic Dimeter - a long syllable followed by two short syllables to mirror the rhythm of the horse galloping
Rhyme Scheme - Rhyming couplets at random points to reflect the chaos of war

Question 4

Key Quote 1

Answer 4

Half a league Half a league / Half a league onward … Rode the six hundred

Question 5

Key Quote 1 Analysis

Answer 5

half a league - repetition of distance emphasises how far they have to go and the sense of exposure and vulnerability
Rode the six hundred - repeated in every stanza to show how many lives were lost in such a useless strategy . Also shows how poor the strategies of the army were.

Question 6

Key Quote 2

Answer 6

Cannon to right of them, / Cannon to left of them, / Cannon in front of them / Volley’d and thunder’d / Storm’d at with shot and shell

Question 7

Key Quote 2 Analysis

Answer 7

Repetition - Cannon - emphasis es the harsh military machinery surrounding them
volley’d and thunder’d - sensory imagery
storm’d at with shot and shell - sibilance increases the aggressive tone

Question 8

Key Quote 3

Answer 8

Honour the charge they made ! / Honour the Light Brigade, / Noble six hundred

Question 9

Key Quote 3 Analysis

Answer 9

honour - people going in the war to die is not honourable and mocking honour
noble - respect to the soldier