The Charge of the Light Brigade

• When can their glory fade?
• Not the six hundred
• Into the valley of Death
• Theirs not to make reply/Theirs not to reason why/Theirs but to do and die
• When can their glory fade?

  rhetorical question

  transforms the tragedy of the change into a moment of enduring honor

  adds a musical quality to the line, reinforcing its solemnity and significance

  Tennyson suggests the soldiers' bravery transcends time, turning their sacrifice into a timeless symbol of courage and selflessness

  encourages the reader to think for themselves about how to honor the men that lost their lives
• Not the six hundred

  creates a sombre tone

  underscores the diminished numbers after the charge, drawing attention to the human cost

  symbolises the break in collective identity, as the unity of the group is shattered by the casualties of war

  encourages the reader to think about the extent of the loss

  implies that many soldiers perished, breaking the unity of the 'six hundred' and highlighting the devastating impact of the miscommunication
• Into the valley of Death

  metaphor

  Psalm 23:4- imbues the line with spiritual and moral gravitas, likening the soldiers' charge to a journey into a deadly, inevitable fate

  personifies death as a physical location, creating a foreboding, almost mythical image of danger and doom

  the valley becomes a trap from which their is little hope of escape

  highlights the danger of the situation and the brutal fate that awaited the men
• Theirs not to make reply/Theirs not to reason why/Theirs but to do and die

  repetition suggests the soldiers' lack of control over their fate

  while the soldiers' actions are heroic there is an undercurrent of tragedy in their unquestioning acceptance of a doomed mission

  juxtaposition highlights the stark divide between the soldiers and their leaders

  parallel phrasing creates a rhythm that mirrors the steady resolve of the soldiers, contributing to the sense of inevitability and unwavering commitment

  encapsulates Victorian ideals of unquestioning duty, loyalty and honor
• Who wrote "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  Alfred Lord Tennyson

  
• What is the main theme of "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • Heroism in the face of death
  • Critique of military leadership
  • The tragedy of war
• What happens to the soldiers in "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  They charge to their deaths
• What is described as a "blunder" in the poem?

  A mistake in the order given
• How does Tennyson instruct the reader to view the "noble six hundred"?

  To remember, honour, and glorify them
• What historical event is "The Charge of the Light Brigade" associated with?

  The Crimean War
• What was Tennyson's role as poet laureate?

  To glorify war to the public
• What does the repetition of "half a league" signify in the poem?

  Distance and vulnerability of soldiers
• What literary form does "The Charge of the Light Brigade" take?

  Ballad form
• What is the effect of using dactylic dimeter in the poem?

  Mirrors the rhythm of horses running
• How does Tennyson use euphemisms in the poem?

  To soften the impact of death
• What does the metaphor "jaws of death" imply?

  Imminent danger for the soldiers
• What biblical allusion is present in the poem?

  "Valley of death" from Psalm 23
• How does Tennyson create ambiguity with "all the world wondered"?

  It questions admiration versus doubt
• What are the similarities between "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Bayonet Charge"?

  • Both criticize war leaders
  • Both highlight propaganda's influence
• What are the differences between "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Bayonet Charge"?

  • Tennyson praises obedience; Hughes questions it
  • Tennyson glorifies action; Hughes depicts fear
• How do "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Exposure" differ in their portrayal of military leaders?

  • Tennyson subtly criticizes leaders
  • Owen depicts soldiers as abandoned
• What are the similarities between "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Remains"?

  • Both explore consequences of conflict
• How do "Charge of the Light Brigade" and "Remains" differ in perspective?

  • "Remains" is first-person; "Charge" is narrative
• What tone does Tennyson adopt in "Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • Celebratory and patriotic tone
• What tone does Armitage use in "Remains"?

  • Somber and reflective tone
• What does the phrase "Honour the Light Brigade" signify in the poem?

  • A call to glorify the soldiers' sacrifice
• What does the phrase "noble six hundred" refer to?

  • The soldiers who charged into battle
• What does the irregular rhyme scheme in the poem create?

  • A sense of chaos and inevitability
• How does Tennyson's background influence "The Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • His role required glorifying war
• What is the significance of the phrase "theirs not to reason why"?

  • It emphasizes soldiers' blind obedience
• How does Tennyson depict the soldiers' bravery?

  • Through repetition and heroic imagery
• What does the phrase "storm'd at with shot and shell" convey?

  • The intense violence faced by soldiers
• What does the phrase "plunged in the battery-smoke" suggest?

  • The chaos of battle and confusion
• What does the phrase "came thro' the jaws of Death" imply?

  • Survival against overwhelming odds
• What does the phrase "when can their glory fade?" suggest about the soldiers' legacy?

  • Their bravery will always be remembered
• What does the phrase "honour the charge they made" imply about Tennyson's view of war?

  • It glorifies the soldiers' sacrifice