'The Charge Of The Light Brigade' by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismayed?
Not tho' the soldiers knew
Someone had blundered:
Theirs was not to make reply,
Theirs was not to reason why,
Theirs was but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to the right of them,
Cannon to the left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell,
Rode the six hundred.
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air,
Sab'ring the gunners there,
Charging and army, while
All the world wondered:
Plunging in the battery smoke,
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre-stroke
Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not--
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to the right of them,
Cannon to the left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that fought so well,
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of the six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
Oh, the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble Six Hundred!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Charge Of The Light Brigade: A Literary Criticism
Alfred Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets in the history of English literature. His poem "The Charge Of The Light Brigade" is a classic example of narrative poetry that tells a story of bravery and sacrifice. The poem is based on the true story of the cavalry charge during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, and it vividly portrays the heroism of the soldiers who fought and died for their country. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, structure, language, and imagery of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
The Themes of The Charge Of The Light Brigade
The primary theme of the poem is the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who charged into battle despite overwhelming odds. Tennyson portrays them as heroes who willingly gave their lives for their country, and he celebrates their courage and dedication. The poem also highlights the role of duty and obedience in military life, as the soldiers followed their orders without question, even though they knew the charge was a suicide mission. Another theme that emerges from the poem is the horror and futility of war. Tennyson vividly describes the chaos and carnage of the battlefield, and he suggests that war is a senseless and tragic waste of human life.
The Structure of The Charge Of The Light Brigade
The poem has a regular rhyme scheme (ABAABCCDDD), which gives it a musical quality and makes it easier to remember. The repetition of certain phrases and words, such as "the valley of death" and "the six hundred," also adds to the poem's rhythmic and rhetorical effect. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a different focus or perspective. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the cavalry charge, while the second stanza describes the valor and determination of the soldiers. The third stanza shifts the focus to the enemy guns and the danger the soldiers faced. The fourth stanza emphasizes the obedience and sacrifice of the soldiers, even in the face of death. The fifth stanza describes the aftermath of the charge, with the survivors returning to their camp, and the final stanza concludes with a tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.
The Language of The Charge Of The Light Brigade
Tennyson's language in the poem is rich and vivid, with many powerful and memorable images. He uses metaphors, similes, and personification to convey the horror and heroism of the battlefield. For example, he describes the "cannon to right of them, cannon to left of them, cannon in front of them" as if they were living creatures, surrounding and attacking the soldiers. He also uses alliteration and assonance to add to the poem's musicality and impact, such as "Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell." The repetition of the phrase "someone had blundered" emphasizes the senseless and tragic nature of the charge, and the use of the word "noble" and "honour" underscores the heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers.
The Imagery of The Charge Of The Light Brigade
The poem is filled with vivid and powerful imagery that evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of the battlefield. Tennyson uses imagery to create a sense of danger, chaos, and horror. For example, he describes the soldiers charging into "the valley of death," which conjures up images of a dark and foreboding landscape. He also describes the "jaws of Death" and the "mouth of Hell," which emphasize the danger and terror of the situation. Tennyson also uses imagery to convey the heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers, such as their "wild charge" and their "noble six hundred." The final lines of the poem, "Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, noble six hundred!" are a powerful tribute to the soldiers' bravery and dedication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Charge Of The Light Brigade" is a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who fought and died for their country. Tennyson's use of language, imagery, and structure creates a vivid and evocative picture of the battlefield, and he conveys the horror and futility of war. The poem's themes of heroism, sacrifice, duty, and the horror of war continue to resonate with readers today, and the poem remains a classic example of narrative poetry. It is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died for their country, and it reminds us of the price of freedom and the cost of war.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Charge Of The Light Brigade: A Poem That Will Leave You Breathless
Alfred Lord Tennyson's "The Charge Of The Light Brigade" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that tells the story of a group of soldiers who were sent on a mission to attack the enemy's position during the Crimean War. The poem is a masterpiece of literature that captures the bravery and courage of the soldiers who were willing to risk their lives for their country.
The poem begins with the famous line, "Half a league, half a league, half a league onward." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately draws the reader into the action. The soldiers are riding on horseback towards the enemy's position, and the reader can feel the excitement and anticipation building.
As the soldiers approach the enemy's position, they are met with a barrage of gunfire. The poem describes the sound of the bullets whizzing past the soldiers' heads and the horses' hooves pounding on the ground. Despite the danger, the soldiers continue to charge forward, determined to complete their mission.
The poem then describes the chaos and confusion that ensues as the soldiers enter the enemy's position. The soldiers are outnumbered and outgunned, but they continue to fight with all their might. The poem describes the bravery of the soldiers as they engage in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.
The poem reaches its climax with the famous line, "Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them." This line describes the soldiers' situation as they are surrounded by enemy fire. Despite the overwhelming odds, the soldiers continue to fight, refusing to give up.
The poem ends with the line, "Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!" This line is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died during the charge. It is a reminder that their sacrifice was not in vain and that they will always be remembered for their bravery and courage.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The repetition of phrases such as "Half a league, half a league, half a league onward" and "Into the valley of Death" creates a sense of urgency and excitement. It also serves to emphasize the bravery and determination of the soldiers.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. The poem describes the soldiers riding on horseback towards the enemy's position, the sound of gunfire, and the chaos and confusion of battle. This imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and helps to bring the poem to life.
The poem also uses sound devices such as alliteration and onomatopoeia. The repetition of the "c" sound in the line "Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them" creates a sense of chaos and confusion. The use of onomatopoeia in the line "Volleyed and thundered" also helps to create a sense of the sound of battle.
Overall, "The Charge Of The Light Brigade" is a masterpiece of literature that captures the bravery and courage of the soldiers who fought during the Crimean War. The poem's use of repetition, imagery, and sound devices creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and helps to bring the poem to life. It is a poem that will leave you breathless and remind you of the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country.
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