The Charge of the Light Brigade - Detailed Study Notes
Overview of the Poem
- Title: The Charge of the Light Brigade
- Author: Alfred Tennyson
- Written: 1854
- Context: Written in response to a newspaper article about the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War (1853-1856).
Themes and Ideas
- Bravery and Sacrifice: The poem highlights the courage of soldiers who charge into battle despite knowing the danger they face.
- Duty and Obedience: Reflects the notion of following orders without questioning, showing both valor and the tragedy of military mistakes.
- Reality of War: The poem portrays war as chaotic and violent, emphasizing the harrowing experiences of soldiers.
- Narration: Third-person narration creates a storytelling effect.
- Rhythm: A regular, relentless rhythm imitates the galloping of horses and the energy of battle.
- Rhyme Scheme: Use of rhyming couplets and triplets propels the poem forward; unrhymed lines introduce moments of chaos, reflecting the unpredictability of war.
- Chronological Order: The poem follows the sequence from the charge, through battle, to retreat, culminating in a brief summary of heroism in the final stanza.
Language Features
- Repetition: Repeated phrases (e.g., "the six hundred") emphasize the scale of the army, highlight the loss, and contribute to a sense of foreboding.
- Heroic Language: Words like "Boldly" and "Charging" convey the bravery of the soldiers.
- Violent Imagery: Powerful verbs like "Storm'd" and "Cannon" create a vivid, noisy depiction of the battle, fostering a sense of horror and excitement.
- Sibilance and Onomatopoeia: The sound effects enhance the dramatic intensity, replicating the noise of gunfire and the chaos of battle.
Emotional Resonance
- Admiration: The narrator expresses respect for the soldiers' bravery and sacrifice, urging the world to acknowledge their valor.
- Patriotism: The men are portrayed as heroes dutifully serving their country.
- Horror: The poem suggests horror at the violence inflicted upon the soldiers, eliciting sympathy from the reader.
Key Lines and Analysis
- "Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred."
- This line encapsulates the inevitable fate awaiting the soldiers, evoking a sense of doom.
- "Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die."
- Highlights the unquestioning obedience of the soldiers, framing their duty as both noble and tragic.
- "Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them."
- Suggests encirclement and hopelessness, enhancing the dramatic tension of their situation.
Personal Response Prompts
- Impact of the Phrase: Consider how the phrase "jaws of Death" evokes feelings of fear and inevitability.
- Conveyance of Terror: Discuss how Tennyson conveys the terror and violence of war through descriptive language and vivid imagery.
- Significance of Stanzas: Reflect on why the stanzas are numbered, possibly indicating the stages of the soldiers' experience in battle.
Glossary of Terms
- Sabres: Long, curved swords used by cavalry.
- Sabring: To cut or wound with a sabre.
- Battery: A group of cannons.
- Cossack: A warrior from southern Russia and Ukraine.
