The charge of the Light Brigade

• Structure

  Six stanzas

  • Each Stanza acts like a memorial for 100 soldiers

  Rhythm in Dactylic Meter ( a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables )

  • Mimics the galloping of horses
  • Gives the poem an unstoppable feeling and driving beat
• Themes

  • Honour
  • Violence and Chaos of War
  • Helplessness
• Quote: 'Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them':

  • Repetition
  • Highlights the violence
  • Highlights how helplessness the soldiers are able to defend themselves against the onslaught of enemy fire.
  • Shows how their fate is inescapable.
• Quote : ' Theirs not to make reply'

  • Anaphora
  • Suggests the soldiers lack control over their fate
  • Repetition of 'theirs' emphasises the true heroes of the story
  • Highlights the heroism of the story
• Quote : 'Volley'd and Thundered':

  • Onamatopoeia
  • Thudding/Echoing quality like distant guns or cannon fire.
• Quote: 'When can their glory fade?':

  • Challenges the reader to think for themselves about how to honour the men that lost their lives
• Quote: 'Honour the charge they made! Honour the light Brigade':

  • Repetition of Imperative Verb cements the poets message that these man deserve admiration and respect.
  • Leaves the reader with the feeling of honouring the cavalry.
• Context(Alfred, Lord Tennyson)


  The poem explores the traditional idea of patriotism and honour through the voice of the poet Laureate who would have to me moderate in their writing.