The charge of the light Brigae Flashcards
Plot summary
The poem describes a brigade of 600 soldiers who are ordered to charge into a valley surrounded by enemy forces armed with cannons. Despite knowing the near-certainty of death, the soldiers obey orders and ride into the “valley of Death.” The poem vividly portrays the chaos and violence of the battle, highlighting the soldiers’ courage and sense of duty. Ultimately, many are killed, but Tennyson honours their sacrifice and calls on readers to remember and respect their heroism.
Context
“The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred Tennyson was written in 1854 and is based on a real event during the Crimean War (1853-1856), specifically the Battle of Balaclava. Alfred Tennyson was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom at the time. He wrote this poem to honour the soldiers’ bravery and to reflect on the tragic consequences of the charge. It was published just six weeks after the event, showing its immediate impact.
Structure and form
Narrative Poem: The poem tells a story, describing the events of the charge in chronological order. This helps the reader follow the sequence of events and understand the soldiers’ experience.
Six Stanzas: The poem is divided into six stanzas, each varying in length. The number six could symbolically represent the 600 soldiers of the Light Brigade.
Regular Rhythm: The poem uses a dactylic meter (a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables), which mimics the galloping of horses. This regular rhythm creates a sense of inevitability and mirrors the soldiers’ relentless advance.
Narrated in Third Person, making it seem more like a story than an actual event.
The poem has a mix of regular and irregular rhyme schemes. While some lines rhyme, others do not, which can mirror the chaos and unpredictability of the battle. The irregularity in rhyme can also reflect the confusion and disorder of the charge, as well as the tragic outcome.
Language
Vivid imagery is used to depict the battlefield, such as “jaws of Death” and “mouth of Hell,” which convey the danger and horror faced by the soldiers.
The language is both heroic and somber, celebrating the soldiers’ bravery while acknowledging the tragic loss of life.
“Into the valley of Death / Rode the six hundred”
Significance: The metaphor “valley of Death” highlights the danger and inevitability of the soldiers’ fate. The phrase “rode the six hundred” is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the collective bravery and unity of the soldiers. A biblical allusion to Psalm 23 making the poem more solemn and significant.
“Cannon to the right of them, / Cannon to the left of them, / Cannon in front of them”
Significance: The repetition of “cannon” underscores the overwhelming firepower the soldiers faced. It creates a vivid image of their helplessness and the inescapable nature of their situation, while also highlighting their courage in charging forward despite the odds.
“Theirs not to make reply, / Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die”
Significance: This quote emphasizes the soldiers’ obedience and sense of duty. They follow orders without question, even when it leads to their deaths. The repetition of “theirs” reinforces their lack of control over their fate.
“Into the jaws of Death, / Into the mouth of Hell”
These vivid metaphors depict the extreme danger the soldiers faced. The imagery of “jaws” and “mouth” suggests that they are being consumed by the horrors of war, emphasizing the brutality and inevitability of their sacrifice.
“Honour the charge they made! / Honour the Light Brigade
The repetition of “honour” serves as a call to remember and respect the soldiers’ bravery. It reflects the poem’s central theme of heroism and sacrifice, urging readers to celebrate their courage despite the tragic outcome.
“When can their glory fade?”
This rhetorical question challenges the reader to reflect on the lasting impact of the soldiers’ sacrifice. It suggests that their bravery should never be forgotten and that their glory is eternal.
“All the world wondered”
This line appears twice in the poem, emphasizing the global recognition of the soldiers’ bravery. It also subtly critiques the senselessness of the charge, as the world “wondered” at both their courage and the folly of the orders that led to their deaths.
Comparisons
“War Photographer” by Carol Ann Duffy
Theme: The impact of war on individuals and society.
Comparison: Both poems explore the consequences of war, but while Tennyson glorifies the bravery of soldiers, Duffy focuses on the emotional toll of war through the lens of a photographer documenting its horrors. “War Photographer” critiques the detachment of those who view war from a distance, whereas “The Charge of the Light Brigade” celebrates the soldiers’ sacrifice.
- “Bayonet Charge” by Ted Hughes
Theme: The chaos and fear of battle.
Comparison: Both poems depict the intensity of combat, but Hughes’ poem focuses on the individual experience of a soldier in the midst of battle, capturing his fear and confusion. In contrast, Tennyson’s poem emphasizes the collective bravery of the Light Brigade and their unwavering obedience to orders.
- “Remains” by Simon Armitage
Theme: The psychological aftermath of war.
Comparison: While Tennyson’s poem glorifies the soldiers’ sacrifice, “Remains” delves into the trauma and guilt experienced by a soldier after killing an enemy. Armitage’s poem highlights the long-term mental scars of war, whereas Tennyson focuses on the immediate heroism and honour of the charge.
- “Kamikaze” by Beatrice Garland
Theme: Duty, honour, and the consequences of war.
Comparison: Both poems explore the theme of soldiers following orders, even at great personal cost. However, “Kamikaze” focuses on the internal conflict of a pilot who turns back from his mission, while Tennyson’s poem celebrates the soldiers’ unquestioning obedience and bravery.
- “Exposure” by Wilfred Owen
Theme: The harsh realities of war.
Comparison: Owen’s poem portrays the brutal conditions of trench warfare and the psychological toll on soldiers, contrasting with Tennyson’s more celebratory tone. While “Exposure” emphasizes the futility and suffering of war, “The Charge of the Light Brigade” focuses on the nobility of the soldiers’ sacrifice.
