The Charge of the The Charge of the Light Brigade Light Brigade Tennyson Tennyson

In a nutshell … In a nutshell …

In his poem “Charge of the Light Brigade” In his poem “Charge of the Light Brigade” Tennyson describes the valiant charge of Tennyson describes the valiant charge of the light brigade into the “jaws of death.” the light brigade into the “jaws of death.” He makes use of repetition, allusion, and He makes use of repetition, allusion, and personification to paint a vivid picture of personification to paint a vivid picture of the charge, and, at the same time, he the charge, and, at the same time, he gives the reader a glimpse into the gives the reader a glimpse into the psyche of the valiant soldiers. psyche of the valiant soldiers.

YouTube Clip YouTube Clip

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pXzCOlPhttp://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pXzCOlPHFmcHFmc

1936 film version – starring Errol Flynn. 1936 film version – starring Errol Flynn.

The Crimean War, 1854 The Crimean War, 1854

First media war – photographers and reporters First media war – photographers and reporters were capturing the events in ways they never were capturing the events in ways they never had before. had before.

The story of the light brigade’s charge in the The story of the light brigade’s charge in the battle of Balaclava was brought to the battle of Balaclava was brought to the breakfast tables of Britain only 3 weeks after it breakfast tables of Britain only 3 weeks after it happened. happened.

It is a breathless account of how a few hundred It is a breathless account of how a few hundred cavalrymen mounted a doomed charge against cavalrymen mounted a doomed charge against the Russian artillery. the Russian artillery.

It was an emotional showstopper. It was an emotional showstopper.

The Battle of Balaclava The Battle of Balaclava

The war and the stories reported back to the The war and the stories reported back to the people at home encouraged artists to depict people at home encouraged artists to depict epic canvases of the war scenes they had epic canvases of the war scenes they had heard of. heard of.

According to a reporter at the scene of the According to a reporter at the scene of the battle, there was confusion over the cavalry battle, there was confusion over the cavalry orders – this was not uncommon but was the orders – this was not uncommon but was the first time a civilian was there to witness it. first time a civilian was there to witness it.

The men effectively charged to their deaths.The men effectively charged to their deaths.

The reporter stated: The reporter stated:

"They swept proudly past, glittering in the "They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendour of morning sun in all the pride and splendour of war. We could scarcely believe the evidence of war. We could scarcely believe the evidence of our senses! Surely that handful of men were our senses! Surely that handful of men were not going to charge an army in position? Alas, not going to charge an army in position? Alas, it was but too true - their desperate valour it was but too true - their desperate valour knew no bounds, and far indeed was it knew no bounds, and far indeed was it removed from its so-called better part - removed from its so-called better part - discretion."discretion." William Howard Russell. William Howard Russell.

Public Opinion Public Opinion

Public opinion was very much a part of this Public opinion was very much a part of this war.war.

The Battle of Balaclava was seen as a blunder. The Battle of Balaclava was seen as a blunder. But it was a gloriously executed blunder - and But it was a gloriously executed blunder - and

the men who took part in the charge acquired a the men who took part in the charge acquired a kind of celebrity status, part of what William kind of celebrity status, part of what William Howard Russell called a "band of heroes".Howard Russell called a "band of heroes".

Recording of the Poem Recording of the Poem

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/poetry/outloud/tennyshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/poetry/outloud/tennyson.shtmlon.shtml

Or alternatively, a reading with visuals: Or alternatively, a reading with visuals: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JD9RKx8pk00http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JD9RKx8pk00 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

english_literature/poetrytennyson/english_literature/poetrytennyson/1tennyson_chargesubjectrev1.shtml1tennyson_chargesubjectrev1.shtml

Interpretations AO4 Interpretations AO4

In the 20th Century, the image of military In the 20th Century, the image of military sacrifice acquired a very different character. In sacrifice acquired a very different character. In 1916, the Battle of the Somme saw 60,000 1916, the Battle of the Somme saw 60,000 British casualties in a single day - and the British casualties in a single day - and the poets of the First World War saw nothing poets of the First World War saw nothing heroic about such an appalling loss of life. heroic about such an appalling loss of life. Tennyson wrote: "Their'sTennyson wrote: "Their's not to reason why,not to reason why,Their's but to do and die."Their's but to do and die."

And Kipling supplied a reply in a comment on And Kipling supplied a reply in a comment on WWI: "If any ask us why we died,WWI: "If any ask us why we died,Tell them 'Because our fathers lied'." Tell them 'Because our fathers lied'."

Interpretations AO4 Interpretations AO4

Re-interpretations of the Charge of the Light Re-interpretations of the Charge of the Light Brigade pointed up the failings of aristocratic, Brigade pointed up the failings of aristocratic, self-centred generals, who appeared to have self-centred generals, who appeared to have little concern for casualties. little concern for casualties.

In the 1950s, the historian Cecil Woodham-In the 1950s, the historian Cecil Woodham-Smith wrote ‘The Reason Why’, which blamed Smith wrote ‘The Reason Why’, which blamed upper-class rivalries of Lord Lucan and Lord upper-class rivalries of Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan for allowing the cavalry charge. Cardigan for allowing the cavalry charge.

Interpretations AO4 Interpretations AO4

This view of distant, incompetent aristocrats ignoring the better This view of distant, incompetent aristocrats ignoring the better judgement of professional soldiers was reinforced by the 1968 judgement of professional soldiers was reinforced by the 1968 movie, The Charge of the Light Brigade.movie, The Charge of the Light Brigade.

But there have been more recent challenges to this - with military But there have been more recent challenges to this - with military historian Terry Brighton saying the film owed "more to class war historian Terry Brighton saying the film owed "more to class war than the Crimean War". than the Crimean War".

Mr Brighton's book, ‘Hell Riders: The True Story of the Charge of Mr Brighton's book, ‘Hell Riders: The True Story of the Charge of the Light Brigade’, argued that the charge was much less of a the Light Brigade’, argued that the charge was much less of a military disaster than it might have appeared.military disaster than it might have appeared.

In numerical terms, the event would not have registered In numerical terms, the event would not have registered significantly on the casualty figures. There were 673 men in the significantly on the casualty figures. There were 673 men in the charge - of which probably fewer than 200 died. charge - of which probably fewer than 200 died.

Significance to our Significance to our context context

The charge of the light brigade lives on The charge of the light brigade lives on as a phrase that has become part of the as a phrase that has become part of the language - and an example of unthinking language - and an example of unthinking bravery - in an event which the Times bravery - in an event which the Times recorded as an "atrocity without parallel".recorded as an "atrocity without parallel".

Glossary Glossary

Half a league – about one and a half Half a league – about one and a half miles miles

Sabres bare – unsheathed swords Sabres bare – unsheathed swords

The Poet The Poet

This poem deals with an important political This poem deals with an important political development in Tennyson's day. As such, it is development in Tennyson's day. As such, it is part of a sequence of political and military part of a sequence of political and military poems that Tennyson wrote after he became poems that Tennyson wrote after he became Poet Laureate of England in 1850. Poet Laureate of England in 1850.

These poems reflect Tennyson's emerging These poems reflect Tennyson's emerging national consciousness and his sense of national consciousness and his sense of compulsion to express his political views.compulsion to express his political views.

Structure Structure

Each line is in Each line is in diameter diameter which means it has two which means it has two stressed syllables.stressed syllables.

Moreover, each stressed syllable is followed by Moreover, each stressed syllable is followed by two unstressed syllables.two unstressed syllables.

This makes the rhythmThis makes the rhythm dactylic dactylic which means which means one long syllable followed by two shorter. one long syllable followed by two shorter.

The use of "falling" rhythm, in which the stress The use of "falling" rhythm, in which the stress is on the first beat of each metrical unit, and is on the first beat of each metrical unit, and then "falls off" for the rest of the length of the then "falls off" for the rest of the length of the meter, is appropriate in a poem about the meter, is appropriate in a poem about the devastating fall of the British brigade. devastating fall of the British brigade.

Rhythm and Structure Rhythm and Structure

The rhyme scheme varies with each stanza. The rhyme scheme varies with each stanza. Often, Tennyson uses the same rhyme (and Often, Tennyson uses the same rhyme (and

occasionally even the same final word) for several occasionally even the same final word) for several consecutive lines: "Flashed all their sabres bare / consecutive lines: "Flashed all their sabres bare / Flashed as they turned in air / Sab'ring the gunners Flashed as they turned in air / Sab'ring the gunners there." there."

The poem also makes use of The poem also makes use of anaphoraanaphora, in which the , in which the same word is repeated at the beginning of several same word is repeated at the beginning of several consecutive lines: "consecutive lines: "CannonCannon to right of them / to right of them / CannonCannon to to left of them / left of them / CannonCannon in front of them." Here the in front of them." Here the method creates a sense of unrelenting assault; at each method creates a sense of unrelenting assault; at each line our eyes meet the word "cannon," just as the line our eyes meet the word "cannon," just as the soldiers meet their flying shells at each turn. soldiers meet their flying shells at each turn.

In media res In media res

What does it mean?What does it mean? How can we link this to the narrative How can we link this to the narrative

structure of ‘The Charge of the Light structure of ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’?Brigade’?

Effectiveness of the Poem Effectiveness of the Poem

This poem is effective largely because of the way it conveys the This poem is effective largely because of the way it conveys the movement and sound of the chargemovement and sound of the charge via a strong, repetitive falling via a strong, repetitive falling meter: "Half a league, half a league / Half a league onward." meter: "Half a league, half a league / Half a league onward."

The The plodding pace of the repetitionsplodding pace of the repetitions seems to classify all seems to classify all individual impulsiveness in one collective action. The poem does individual impulsiveness in one collective action. The poem does not speak of individual troops but rather of "the six hundred" and not speak of individual troops but rather of "the six hundred" and then "all that was left of them." Even Lord Raglan, who played then "all that was left of them." Even Lord Raglan, who played such an important role in the battle, is only vaguely referred to in such an important role in the battle, is only vaguely referred to in the line the line "someone had blundered.""someone had blundered."

Interestingly, Tennyson omitted this critical and somewhat Interestingly, Tennyson omitted this critical and somewhat subversive line in the 1855 version of this poem, but the writer subversive line in the 1855 version of this poem, but the writer John Ruskin later convinced him to restore it for the sake of the John Ruskin later convinced him to restore it for the sake of the poem's artistry. Although it underwent several revisions following poem's artistry. Although it underwent several revisions following its initial publication in 1854, the poem as it stands today is a its initial publication in 1854, the poem as it stands today is a moving tribute to courage and heroism in the face of devastating moving tribute to courage and heroism in the face of devastating defeat. defeat.

Repetition Repetition

Highlight examples.Highlight examples. Analyse the effects of the technique – Analyse the effects of the technique –

how does it support the writer’s how does it support the writer’s intentions/purposes? intentions/purposes?

Can you identify alternative Can you identify alternative interpretations of the use of the interpretations of the use of the technique?technique?

Repetition Repetition

‘‘half a league’half a league’ – arduousness of the – arduousness of the charge? Gallop of the horses? charge? Gallop of the horses?

‘‘cannon to …’-cannon to …’- claustrophobic feeling; claustrophobic feeling; enemy are all that can be seen from enemy are all that can be seen from every angle.every angle.

Any other examples? Any other examples?

Personification Personification

How is death personified?How is death personified? Analyse the effects of the technique – Analyse the effects of the technique –

how does it support the writer’s how does it support the writer’s intentions/purposes? intentions/purposes?

Can you identify alternative Can you identify alternative interpretations of the use of the interpretations of the use of the technique?technique?

Personification Personification

‘‘jaws of death’-jaws of death’- shifts the poem to a more shifts the poem to a more carnal tone. The brigade is pitted against carnal tone. The brigade is pitted against the ultimate beast that threatens to the ultimate beast that threatens to devour them. devour them.

Kill or be killed.Kill or be killed. ‘‘jaws of death’jaws of death’ and and ‘mouth of hell’‘mouth of hell’ – –

repeated images. repeated images. What is the reader supposed to imagine?What is the reader supposed to imagine?

AllusionsAllusions

‘‘Valley of Death’Valley of Death’ (twenty-third Psalm of the (twenty-third Psalm of the Bible) – reference to the ‘valley of the shadow Bible) – reference to the ‘valley of the shadow of death’. of death’.

Serves to instil in the reader a sense of the Serves to instil in the reader a sense of the fearlessness that the brigade has – the psalm fearlessness that the brigade has – the psalm speaks of how evil is not to be feared, not even speaks of how evil is not to be feared, not even in the shadow of death itself. in the shadow of death itself.

What else might a reference to a valley make What else might a reference to a valley make the reader think of?the reader think of?

Analyse Tennyson’s use Analyse Tennyson’s use of: of:

Metaphor Metaphor Alliteration Alliteration Many verbsMany verbs Rhetorical questionsRhetorical questions Analyse the effects of the techniques – how Analyse the effects of the techniques – how

does it support the writer’s does it support the writer’s intentions/purposes?intentions/purposes?

Can you identify alternative interpretations of Can you identify alternative interpretations of the use of the technique?the use of the technique?

Psyche of the brigade Psyche of the brigade

‘‘Some one had blundered’ but they know Some one had blundered’ but they know their place and they don’t ask questions - their place and they don’t ask questions - ‘to do and die’. ‘to do and die’.

What does this tell us?What does this tell us? What motivates these men?What motivates these men? How does Tennyson allow the reader to How does Tennyson allow the reader to

experience the battle as a soldier would experience the battle as a soldier would have? What effect does this have?have? What effect does this have?

Psyche of the brigadePsyche of the brigade

How does the reader view the men How does the reader view the men based on Tennyson’s depiction of their based on Tennyson’s depiction of their experience? experience?

Why does Tennyson not name or single Why does Tennyson not name or single out any of the 600 men? out any of the 600 men?

Is it a fitting tribute to the soldiers? Is it a fitting tribute to the soldiers? Explain why/why not. Explain why/why not.