'The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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I
The charge of the gallant three hundred, the Heavy
Brigade
Down the hill, down the hill, thousands of Russians,
Thousands of horsemen, drew to the valley ? and
stayed;
For Scarlett and Scarlett's three hundred were riding by
When the points of the Russian lances arose in the sky;
And he called ?Left wheel into line!? and they wheeled
and obeyed.
Then he looked at the host that had halted he knew
not why,
And he turned half round and he bad his trumpeter
sound
To the charge, and he rode on ahead, as he waved
his blade
To the gallant three hundred those glory will never
fade?
?Follow,? and up the hill, up the hill, up the hill,
Followed the Heavy Brigade.
II
The trumpet, the gallop, the charge, and the might
of the fight!
Thousands of horsemen had gathered there on the
height,
With a wing pushed out to the left, and a wing to the
right,
And who shall escape if they close? but he dashed up
alone
Through the great gray slope of men,
Swayed his sabre, and held his own
Like an Englishman there and then;
All in a moment followed with force
Three that were next in their fiery course,
Fought for their lives in the narrow gap they had made?
Four amid thousands! and up the hill, up the hill,
Galloped the gallant three hundred, the Heavy Brigade.
III
Fell like a cannonshot,
Burst like a thunderbolt,
Crashed like a hurricane .
Broke through the mass from below,
Drove through the midst of the foe,
Plunged up and down, to and foe
Rode flashing blow upon blow,
Brave Inniskillens and Greys
Whirling their sabres in circles of light!
And some of us, all in amaze,
Who were held for a while from the fight,
And were only standing at gaze,
When the dark-muffled Russian crowd
Folded its wings from the left and the right,
And rolled them around like a cloud,?
O mad for the charge and the battle were we,
When our own good redcoats sank from sight,
Like drops of blood in a dark-gray sea,
And we turned to each other, whispering, whispering,
all dismayed,
?Lost are the gallant three hundred of Scarlett?s
Brigade!?
IV
?Lost one and all? were the words
Muttered in our dismay;
But they rode like Victors and Lords
Through the forest of lances and swords
In the heart of the Russian hordes,
They rode or they stood at bay?
Struck with the sword-hand and slew,
Down with the bridle-hand drew
The foe from the saddle and threw
Underfoot there in the fray?
Ranged like a storm or stood like a rock
In the wave of a stormy day;
Till suddenly shock upon shock
Staggered the mass from without,
Drove it in wild disarray,
For our men gallopt up with a cheer and a shout,
And the foeman surged, and wavered, and reeled
Up the hill, up the hill, up the hill, out of the field,
And over the brow and away.
V
Glory to each and to all, and the charge that they made!
Glory to all the three hundred, and to all the Brigade!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Charging Through the Pages: A Literary Criticism of Tennyson's "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava"
Are you familiar with the Battle of Balaclava? If you're a history buff or a literature enthusiast, you probably know that it was a pivotal moment in the Crimean War, fought on the 25th of October 1854. But have you ever read Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem about the Heavy Brigade's charge during that battle? If not, then you're in for a treat.
"The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" is a stirring narrative poem that captures the glory, the horror, and the heroism of war. In just 68 lines, Tennyson manages to convey a sense of the chaos and confusion of battle, the bravery and discipline of the soldiers, and the tragic cost of war. But what makes this poem so compelling? Let's take a closer look.
Historical Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's set the scene. The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The war lasted from 1853 to 1856 and was fought mainly in the Crimean Peninsula, in modern-day Ukraine.
The Battle of Balaclava was a part of the wider Siege of Sevastopol, in which British and French forces attempted to capture the Russian naval base at Sevastopol. On the morning of October 25th, 1854, the Russian cavalry launched a surprise attack on the British supply base at Balaclava. This led to a series of engagements that became known as the Battle of Balaclava, culminating in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade (which Tennyson also wrote a poem about) and the Charge of the Heavy Brigade.
The Heavy Brigade was a cavalry unit consisting of around 800 men and horses, commanded by Major-General James Yorke Scarlett. When the Russian cavalry attacked, Scarlett ordered his men to charge, and they rode straight into the enemy ranks, causing chaos and confusion among the Russians. The Heavy Brigade suffered relatively few casualties compared to the Light Brigade, but their charge was no less heroic.
Structure and Style
Now that we have some background knowledge, let's turn to the poem itself. "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" is written in Tennyson's signature style, which is characterized by its musicality, its vivid imagery, and its use of repetition and alliteration. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with a different rhyme scheme and meter. The first and last stanzas are identical, except for the last line.
The poem begins with a striking image: "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade / Was it not a sight to see?" This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of vivid and dramatic language. Tennyson uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of momentum and urgency, as if the poem itself is charging forward:
"Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell"
These lines are some of the most famous in the poem, and for good reason. They convey a sense of the soldiers' courage and determination, as well as the danger and chaos of the battlefield. Tennyson also uses imagery to create a sense of contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the ugliness of war:
"Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered"
The repetition of "cannon" and "volleyed" and "thundered" creates a sense of overwhelming noise and violence, while the juxtaposition of the cannons with the "valley of Death" and the "green field" emphasizes the contrast between the man-made horrors of war and the natural world.
Themes and Interpretation
But what does the poem mean, beyond its vivid language and dramatic imagery? Like all great works of literature, "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" is open to interpretation, and different readers will take different meanings from it. However, some common themes emerge.
One theme is the heroism of the soldiers. Tennyson portrays the Heavy Brigade as brave and disciplined, charging headlong into danger without hesitation. He also emphasizes the importance of leadership, particularly in the figure of Major-General Scarlett, who is described as "bold and true." The poem celebrates the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers, but it also acknowledges the cost of war:
"When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honor the charge they made, Honor the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred."
These lines, which close the poem, are a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade and the Charge of the Light Brigade. They also suggest that the memory of their bravery will live on, even as the war fades from memory.
Another theme is the nature of war itself. Tennyson portrays war as chaotic, violent, and destructive, but also as a test of courage and character. He emphasizes the importance of discipline and leadership in the face of adversity, and he acknowledges the bravery of the soldiers who risked their lives for a cause they believed in. However, he also suggests that war is ultimately futile, and that the cost of victory is often too high:
"Not tho' the soldier knew Someone had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die"
These lines, which refer to the Charge of the Light Brigade, suggest that the soldiers were following orders without understanding the bigger picture. They also suggest that the blunders of their superiors were responsible for their deaths. Tennyson does not explicitly criticize the decision to charge, but he does suggest that war is often driven by the mistakes and miscalculations of those in power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the heroism and tragedy of war. It is written in Tennyson's signature style, with vivid imagery, repetition, and alliteration creating a sense of momentum and urgency. The poem celebrates the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers, but it also acknowledges the cost of war and the futility of violence. Ultimately, it is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the Crimean War, and a reminder of the human cost of conflict.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava is a classic poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. It is a powerful and emotive piece of literature that captures the bravery and heroism of the British cavalry during the Crimean War. The poem is a vivid description of the charge of the Heavy Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava, which took place on October 25, 1854.
The poem begins with a description of the battlefield, with the British and Russian armies facing each other across a valley. The British cavalry, consisting of the Light Brigade and the Heavy Brigade, are waiting for orders to attack. Tennyson describes the scene in vivid detail, painting a picture of the tension and anticipation that must have been felt by the soldiers.
Suddenly, the order comes to charge. The Heavy Brigade, consisting of the 4th and 5th Dragoon Guards, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, and the Scots Greys, gallop forward towards the Russian lines. Tennyson describes the charge in great detail, using powerful imagery to convey the speed and force of the cavalry as they thunder towards the enemy.
The poem is full of vivid descriptions of the battle, with Tennyson using powerful language to convey the chaos and violence of the fighting. He describes the clash of swords, the sound of hooves pounding the ground, and the cries of wounded soldiers. The poem is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war, and the bravery of those who fought and died on the battlefield.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Tennyson portrays the bravery and heroism of the British cavalry. He describes the charge of the Heavy Brigade as a noble and heroic act, with the soldiers riding fearlessly into battle despite the overwhelming odds against them. Tennyson's portrayal of the cavalry as brave and heroic is a powerful reminder of the courage and determination that is required to fight in a war.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of duty and sacrifice. Tennyson portrays the soldiers as men who are willing to give their lives for their country, and who are prepared to face death with courage and dignity. The poem is a powerful tribute to the sacrifices made by those who fought in the Crimean War, and a reminder of the debt that we owe to those who have fought and died in wars throughout history.
Overall, The Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava is a powerful and emotive poem that captures the bravery and heroism of the British cavalry during the Crimean War. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a vivid picture of the battlefield, and his portrayal of the soldiers as brave and heroic is a powerful reminder of the courage and determination that is required to fight in a war. The poem is a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the Crimean War, and a reminder of the debt that we owe to those who have fought and died in wars throughout history.
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