Charge Of The Light Brigade

Question 1

Poems linking to charge of the light brigade

Answer 1

London - abused power of the government

Bayonet charge - lack of identity in soldiers

Question 2

Context (8)

Answer 2

• Alfred Lord Tennyson
• poet laureate
• narrative poem
• about Crimean war
• battle of Balaclava
• middle class family
• engagement to Emily was forbidden due to his poverty, went against her father
• CRITICISM OF LOWER GLASS FROM HIGHER CLASS

Question 3

Key themes (3)

Answer 3

• glory and bravery
• praising the soldiers
• criticism of blind obedience to power and the upper class

Question 4

Key message

Answer 4

Sacrifice for one’s country is a noble and desirable end

Question 5

Analysis of title

Answer 5

• desperate
• united
• violent
• light –> purity and hope

Question 6

Rhythm analysis

Answer 6

“Half a league, half a league, half a league onward”

• reflects riding on horse back
• sets the rhythm from the start
• tension as they get closer
• DACTYLIC DIAMETER - falling rhythm (echoes horses trotting, wants us to feel we are there to emphasise the soldiers’ bravery) –> usually used humorously, satirical but has to be subtle to be respectful

Question 7

Religion (7)

Answer 7

“Into the valley of death”

• inevitable death
• bible story (David and gallieth in a valley)
• ironic as he wasn’t religious
• repeated, slowly becomes more accepted
• lots of repetition to show relentlessness of the charge
• biblical –> Victorians would have noticed, immediately highlights the soldiers’ bravery

Question 8

Structure of COTLB (6)

Answer 8

Ballad –> tells a story, has a line repeated through the poem, historical, you shouldn’t forget something, act of bravery,
Stupidity of government

Question 9

Quote showing Tennyson’s dislike for the upper class’ way of treating the lower classes

Answer 9

“WON d ER’D”

• even though they lost, pride for the men who took part in the brave act
• awareness of the mistake and pointlessness of their death (erred meaning to do something wrong) –> emphasising the stupidity
• Positive vs negative outlook

Question 10

Sibilance

Answer 10

“Storm’d at with shot and shell”

• tells a realistic and powerful description
• uncomfortable tone
• sounds vicious (violence of the attack)