prepositional phrase indicates the valley belongs to death- reinforces the idea that they will inevitably die
repetition of metaphor amplifies the poets message that the cavalry should be applauded for their bravery
theirs not to
theirs not to
theirs but to
anaphora mimics the rhythm of the galloping horses reminding us this is an order and they have no say
the shift to conjunction confirms their powerlessness
cannon to
cannon to
cannon in
anaphora creates a sense of unrelenting assault
each line our eyes meet the words cannon just as the soldiers meet their flying shells at each turn-this method evokes a feeling of pity and admiration
jaws of death, mouth of hell
connotes consumption- death will devour the soldiers
visualises teeth
rhyme scheme
AAABCCC, strong and rhythmic until the end where it breaks up into DCAB to convey idea that despite cavalry's strength and skill most still lost their lives
context
written by Alfred Lord Tennyson1809-1892
battlefield is glorified, implicit criticism of the government because he was the poet laureate
his message is soldiers deserve nothing but praise
Half a league, half a league, / Half a league onward,"
The rhythm of the opening lines, creates a relentless beat which is continued throughout the poem. This rhythm echoes the sound and pace of the horses’ hooves whilst reflecting the Light Brigade’sgallop into battle on horseback.
