The Charge Of The Light Brigade Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
Who wrote Charge of The light Brigade?
A
Alfred Lord Tennyson
2
Q
What is the structure of the charge of the light brigade?
A
- Six stanzas
- Dactylic dimeter(stressed followed by two unstressed)
- Repetition and refrain
3
Q
What do the six stanzas show?
A
- Each one is like a memorial to possibly a hundred men per stanza
- Regular structure contrasts with the chaos of war, soldiers trapped in a machine of obedience unable to resist orders
4
Q
What does the dactylic dimeter show?
A
- Creates a galloping rhythm, mimicking the sound of horses charging
- Gives the poem a breathless, unstoppable pace which reflects the soldiers’ relentless advance/charge
5
Q
What does the repetition and refrain show?
A
- Used throughout to create a sense of rememberance
- Choral quality to praise the fallen
- “rode the six hundred”
6
Q
What are the themes in the charge of the light brigade?(4)
A
- Bravery and Heroism
- Duty and obedience
- Futility of war
- Legacy and memory
7
Q
How is the theme of bravery and heroism explored?
A
- Celebrates courage and valour as they charged into battle
- Soldiers obeyed orders without question, displaying unwavering bravery and loyalty
8
Q
How is the theme of duty and obedience explored?
A
- Obedience to authority figures even in the face of danger
- Importance of discipline at the time - military beliefs
9
Q
How is the theme of futility of war explored?
A
- Glorifies bravery of soldiers but underscores the senselessness of war
- Charge as a tragic event resulting in unnecessary loss of life
- Critiques glorification of war and its devastating consequences
10
Q
“Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon in front of them”
A
- Repetition creates a sense of entrapment - completely surrounded
- Helplessness - no escape but continued to charge, inescapable doom
11
Q
“Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die”
A
- Anaphora highlights soldiers’ lack of agency - obedient instruments of war
- Short sentences - brutal - fate was sealed by duty
- Glorify their sacrifice but critique the blind obedience that lead to their death
12
Q
“Volley’d and thunder’d”
A
- Auditory imagery capturing the soundscape of battlefield
- Violence and power of cannon fire
- “Volleyed” relentless attack
13
Q
“Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade!”
A
- Imperative verbs command the reader to remember and respect the soldiers
- Repetition acts like a drumbeat - ceremonial salute
14
Q
What is the context?
A
- Written in 1854 during the Crimean War based on a real event
- Poet Laureate - wrote as a national tribute
- Reflects ideals of duty and honour but highlighting the tragedy of poor leadership
