The charge of the light brigade

• Form

  Irregular stanza length = never truly allow reader to settle in or feel any sense of consistency + allows for sense of chaos to be communicated , mimic how soldiers were being shot at by enemy they could not fairly counter

  irregular rhyme scheme

  unable to settle into rhythm create repetitive sense of inevitability
• Structure

  Dactylic dimeter

  mimic sound of horses hooves while running- repetition thrusts reader into heat of the battle making them feel the charge

  communicates how soldiers have no choice but to follow charge, flung into battle= long syllables represent their lull+ reluctance yet short syllables highlight how they had to fight anyway
• Context

  Battle of Balaclava , misunderstood order caused hundreds of soldiers to die

  first serious questioning of decisions made by commanders+ consequent for soldiers

  appreciation for soldier bravery

  strong rhythm to help remember soldiers

  wanted them to be remembered for their bravery