Charge of the Light brigade by Alfred lord Tennyson

• What imagery is used to portray war in "Into the valley of Death"?

  Biscarimagry portrays war as a supremely powerful/spiritual experience
• What do the phrases "Jaws of Death" and "mouth of hell" suggest about war?

  They present war as an animal that consumes its victims
• What does the phrase "Honour of the Light Brigade" signify?

  It signifies the noble status of the 600 soldiers
• What effect does the sibilance in "Shot and shell" create?

  It creates whooshing sounds of battle
• What are the tones present in "Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • Energetic
  • Tragic
  • Haunting
• What was Tennyson's responsibility as a poet laureate during the war?

  To inspire the nation and portray the war in a positive light
• How does Tennyson address the mistake made by a commander in the poem?

  He mentions that "someone had blunder'd"
• Why was Tennyson's point about a commander's mistake controversial in Victorian times?

  Because blind devotion to power was expected
• What is the form and structure of "Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • It is a ballad to remember historical events
  • 6 verses, each representing 100 men
  • First stanza is tightly structured, mirroring cavalry formation
  • Structure becomes chaotic to reflect battle chaos
  • Dactylic dimeter increases the poem's pace
  • Repetition of "six hundred" emphasizes huge loss
• What are the main themes in "Charge of the Light Brigade"?

  • Conflict
  • Suffering
  • Glory of war
  • Patriotism
• When was "Charge of the Light Brigade" published?

  Six weeks after the disastrous battle in the Crimean War
• What event does the poem describe?

  A cavalry charge against Russians who shot at the British
• What happened to over half of the 600 soldiers during the charge?

  They were killed, injured, or taken prisoner
• What does the poem symbolize regarding the British Empire?

  It symbolizes the courage and devotion of the men to their country