Charge of the light brigade

Charge of the light brigade

1. Charge of the Light Brigade

2. Context The Crimean War: between Britain and Russia from 1853-1856 For 1 st time in history newspapers carried eye-witness reports of the war – the good and the bad. Most significant moment in the Crimea, came during the Battle of Balaclava – British cavalry division (Light Brigade) was misunderstood and 600 charged down a valley into the fire of Russian cannons. Over 150 soldiers were killed, 120 injured – At home the disaster was a sensation and many began to question the actions of the politicians and Generals in charge who gave the order

3. Structure 6 numbered stanzas 6-12 lines Each line is in dimeter – 2 stressed syllables Stressed syllables are followed by 2 unstressed “ HALF a league , HALF a league…” – The rhythm “falls off” – appropriate for a poem about the devastating fall of the British brigade

4. Structure The poem has a strong rhythm – Expresses the sound of the horses galloping – Aided by regular rhyming couplets The numbered stanzas might mean that each is a memorial stone to 100 of the calvarymen Length of stanza reflect the structure of the story: St1-3: The Light Brigade approach the guns – Strong structure. Strong military formation. The longer stanzas describe the struggle Rhythm of St4 broken by 4 shorter lines St5 has only 2 short lines The desperate attempt to retreat is expressed in the run of 6 longer lines.

5. Structure Use of the Ballad form Refrain at the end of each stanza is varied – highlighting the number of troops risking their lives in this battle

6. Stanza 1 I. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward , the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns !” he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Repetition – adds to idea that they are constantly moving forward: Adds pace Biblical reference in this metaphor– as if they are inevitably going to their death Direct speech – Reporting the fatal order to charge “He” – anonymous – focus is on the 600 not those who gave the orders Repetition – Emphasising their low chances of survival Refrain

7. Stanza 2 II `Forward, the Light Brigade!' Was there a man dismay'd ? Not tho ' the soldier knew Some one had blunder'd : Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Direct order they have to follow Rhetorical question – Did they know they were misled? That it was a mistake? The cavalry were unaware of the mistake Emotive – Mistakes in battles get people killed! Repetition emphasises that the men do not question their orders Emotive – alliteration adds sympathy for the heroic soldiers Repetition – Inevitable (Hopefully you get this by now…)

8. Stanza 3 III 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, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Repetition – They are ambushed from all sides: Trapped Alliteration adds to the brutality – bombarded by the cannons Adverb reminds us of the men’s bravery – We’re on their side Personification – Valley presented as a trap. Jaws like a deadly animal – they can’t escape Another metaphor – The valley is so chaotic, it’s compared to Hell

9. Stanza 4 IV Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder'd : Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd . Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Imagery – readers can picture the action taking place Reminder that the men were armed with swords (sabres) up against guns – adds sympathy and reminds us of their bravery: Against the odds They are thrown into the action Alliteration – Emphasises the barrage of assault from the Russian cannons – contrasted with the swinging of sabres (swords!) Tone of poem changes: The repetition of not highlighting that not all of the 600 will be returning

10. Stanza 5 V Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd ; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. Repetition - Inevitable Verbs emphasise the hectic action taking place Alliteration makes the line more poignant – focus is on the heroics not the error The battlefield presented as a devilish monster Collective Pronoun: Celebrates the group Repetition of “left” – Relief that some survived, celebrating that some did come back

11. Stanza 5 VI When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd . Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred! Rhetorical Question – How will we keep their memory alive? Alliteration to emphasise the global impact the men had Repetition of honour & use of “noble” – Celebrating the gallant efforts of the cavalry He is honouring their bravery throughout – Only one line criticising the mistake “… blunder’d ”

12. Language notes Can you pick out 4 words that evoke the sense of bravery? Boldly Glory Honour Noble

13. Language notes: Grade 8 and 9 friendly! New word: Anaphora The same word or phrase is used to begin successive lines or sentences – These phrases emphasise the immensity of the cavalry charge “Theirs not to make reply” “Cannon to right of them”

14. Language notes Can you find an example of Alliteration to imitate the violence of the battle “ Storm’d at with shot and shell”

15. Language notes Imagery – The allusion to the Bible and Psalm 23 highlights the faith and courage shown by the soldiers. Psalm 23 is about having faith in God during times of extreme uncertainty and is often read out at funerals. This shows how Tennyson has written the poem as a memorial to the Light Brigade.

16. Language notes Tone Rather than criticise the strategic error of the Commanding Officers, Tennyson has chosen to focus on the heroics of the soldiers fighting bravely in the face of certain death. The poem is a memorial to the Light Brigade and glorifies the sacrifice they made.