The Charge Of The Light Brigade

Question 1

Stanzas

Answer 1

There are six numbered stanzas, as if each stanza is a memorial stone to 100 of the 600 cavalrymen. The length of the stanzas reflect the structure of the story.

Question 2

Stanza 2 structure

Answer 2

Stanza two – the Light Brigade has engaged the enemy so the longer stanzas describe the struggle. The structure starts to break down. The rhythm of stanza four, for example, is broken by four shorter lines, while stanza five has only two short lines (lines 42 and 48). The desperate attempt to retreat is expressed in the run of six longer lines (43-48).

Question 3

Imagery using bible

Answer 3

The strong central image of the “valley of Death” (lines 3,7 and 16) refers to a well-known poem in the bible - Psalm 23 - about the ‘valley of the shadow of death’. By using this Biblical allusion, Tennyson shows how important the event is.

Question 4

Sound

Answer 4

Alliteration, for example, is used to express the sounds of battle. Note the sound of bullets in line 22 (“shot and shell”).

Question 5

Attitude

Answer 5

The final stanza does not express any anger at politicians and generals. It does, however, show delight at what they did: “O the wild charge they made!”

Question 6

Compare to

Answer 6

Boynet. Charge

Mametz wood

Question 7

Rhymes

Answer 7

half a league, half a league” two light beats followed by a heavy beat expresses the sound of the horses galloping.