The Charge Of The Light Brigade

What is the overview of The Charge Of The Light Brigade?

A large brigade of soldiers are commanded to march to their death

Who is the author of The Charge Of The Light Brigade?

Alfred Tennyson

Give me contextual points about Alfred Tennyson

Poet Laureate — appointed by royal family

Give me contextual points about The Charge Of The Light Brigade

The Crimean War — light brigade — normally lower class soldiers

What is the form of The Charge Of The Light Brigade + its effects

• 3rd person — Narrative

  He can’t directly feel what those soldiers felt

• Fast pace + rhyme scheme

  Mirrors marching of soldiers

• Chronological order of events → Ballad Form

  Ballad form usually used to demarcate events that were to be commemorated and memorialised

Language Quote 1

“____ of ____”

“Valley of Death”

Biblical reference which refers to the protection of God, this is ironic as the soldiers were not protected by those they who were meant to

Language Quote 2

“____ the ____ of ____”

“Into the jaws of death”

Metaphor highlights the severity of the situation and the personification of “death” shows that despite the soldiers awareness that death was imminent, they died as martyrs

Language Quote 3

“When ____ their ____ _____”

“When can their glory fade?”

Remembrance of their legacy

Structure Quote 1

Anaphora — “Theirs not, Theirs not, Theirs but”

Repetition highlights the soldiers lack of individualism + emphasises the soldiers obedience

What is the key idea of The Charge Of The Light Brigade?

As Poet Laureate, he could not openly criticise those in power so he focused on the soldiers’ bravery instead