Alferd, Lord Tennyson

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

WORD HELP League – an old way to measure distance. Brigade – a large group of soldiers that forms a unit of an army Charge – to move forward/to attack violently Dismayed – worried or scared Blundered – made a careless mistake Cannon - an old-fashioned large gun on wheels Volleyed – fired by a lot of bullets Thundered – a very loud sound Shell – a metal case that is filled with explosives fired from a large gun.

SUMMARY

The poem gives an account of a battle during a war.

This is an extract of the full poem.

The extract of the poem tells the story of how 600 British horsemen are ordered to attack their enemies and the consequences they face.

STANZA 1

The poem begins with the soldiers charging forward on their horses. The repetition of the phrase half a league gives a rhythmic quality of the horses galloping.

There are 600 soldiers in the Light Brigade. They are talking orders from their commander, who is not named, to attack their enemies and to seize their guns.

It is a very dangerous situation and the soldiers could very end up dead.

STANZA 2

The second stanza begin with the same command being repeated which gives a sense of urgency to the reader. The poet asks a question that is perhaps on the reader’s mind – were the soldiers afraid? He then explained that none of the soldiers has lost courage even though they know that it is a mistake to attack the enemies. The soldiers are loyal and brave men who know that it is not their place to question the order. They simply obey the command even though they are aware that death awaits them.

STANZA 3

The soldiers are surrounded by the enemies from all sides.

They are being attacked by bullets and explosives.

Yet the soldiers ride on bravely, despite knowing that they have little chance to stay alive.

SETTING

The poem is set during the Crimean War in the 1850s, (25 October 1854) specifically during the Battle of Balaclava where the soldiers of the Light Brigade suffered from many casualties.

The poem takes place in the battlefield where the Light Brigade fights enemies.

PLACE

The North Valley, near the city of Balaclava in the Crimean Peninsula

PERSONA

The persona is the poet himself.

Written in the third person point of view.

THEMES

The complexities of war Courage and heroism Patriotism Loyalty and duty

MORAL VALUES

We must have loyalty and courage We must instil the spirit of patriotism in ourselves We must ask questions at times for our own sake