English Literature Poetry-The Charge of the Light Brigade

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  • Created by: Humaa 123
  • Created on: 24-09-18 19:36
What is the poem called?
The Charge of the Light Brigade
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Who is the author?
Alfred Lord Tennyson
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When was it written?
1830-1900(Victorian Period)
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What is it about?
*The poem describes a disastrous battle between British cavalry and Russian forces during the Crimean War(1853-1856).
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What is it about?
*A misunderstanding meant that the light Brigade were ordered to advance into a valley surrounded by enemy soldiers.
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What is it about?
*The cavalry were only armed with swords,whereas Russian soldiers, had guns.The light Brigade were virtually defenseless against their enemies, and many of them were killed.
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Feelings and Attitudes(Admiration)
The narrator admires the bravery and sacrifice of the men because they obeyed orders even though they knew death was likely. He thinks that the world should recognise their bravery and appreciate their sacrifice.
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Feelings and Attitudes(Pariotism)
The men folllowed the orders becauseof their duty to their country, and the speaker portrays them as heroes for doing.
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Feelings and Attitudes(Horror)
There's a suggestion that the narrator is horrified by the violence of the Battle.
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"Half a league,half a league,Half a league onward,"
The rhythm sounds like galloping horses' hooves- it gives the impression that the horses are unstppable.
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"Death"
Sounds sinsiter-the reader is warned right from the start that something bad is going to happen.
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"he said:"
The commanding officer is speaking here.
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"Rode the six hundred."
They're presented as one group with one purpose.
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'Forward,the Light Brigade!' Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldier knew Some one had blunder'd;"
Soldiers realise the order was a mistake but do what they're told because it's their duty to obey orders. The poet respects them for this.
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"Theirs not to make reply , Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die:"
Rhyme and repetition emphasise the soldiers's obedience and sense of duty, even though they know they will almost certainly be killed.
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"valley of Death"
Using a biblical reference makes the poem seem solemn and significant.
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"Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in fornt of them"
(Epistrophe) Repetition at the start and end of the lines reflects the way the soldiers are surrounded by the enemy's guns. It also replicates the sound of gunfire.
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???("Volley;d and thunder'd:", "shot and shell")???
Sibilant sounds emphasises the idea of ammunition flying towards them.
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"Rode the six hundred."
The first 3 stanzas end with the same line. It adds to the sense of foreboding and reminds us of the number of soldiers.
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"Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd they turn'd in air"
The repetition of "flashed" and the rhyme create a powerful image of the cavelry using their swords.
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"Sabring the gunners there,"
Reminder of the fact they only had swords.
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"All the world wonder'd:"
2 meanings- wondered who was in charge or marvelled at their bravery.
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"Charging", "Plunged", "Reel'd"
Verbs emphasise the action and the increasing pace of the poem.
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"sabre-stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd"
Sibilance sounds vicious.
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"but not Not the six hundred."
Repetition emphasises the death of the soldiers. It also creates a broken, stuttering effect, making it sound almost as though the speaker is upset.
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"Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them"
Similar to stanza 3 but they are now retreating.
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"Volley'd and thunder'd:"
Powerful onomatopoeic verbs suggest the noise from the cannons.
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"horse and hero fell, They that hd fought so well"
The sense of admiration is touched with sadness.
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"All that was left of them, Left of six hundred."
The repetition of "left of" reminds us of that lives have been lost- makes the poem sound sad.
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"When can their glory fade?"
Rhetorical Question challenges the reader.
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"O the wild charge they made!"
Sounds dramatic and daring.
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"Honour"
Imperative repeated to leave the reader with the idea that they should honour the cavelry.
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Form
The poem's narrative in 3rd person- making it seem like a story. The regular relentless rhythm creates a fast pace, immitating the cavelry's advance and the energy of the battle.
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Form
Rhyming couplets and triplets drives the poem forward, but the momentum is broken by unrhymed lines, which could mirror the horses stumbling and soldiers falling. The overall lack of rhyme scheme hints into the chaos of war.
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Structure
Chronological order. Stanzas 1-3:The charge. Stanza 4: The battle. Stanza 5: The retreat. Final stanza: summarises the bravery of the Brigade.
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Repetition
Repetition creates a sense of impending doom and inevitability. Repetition of "six hundred" at the end of each stanza reinforces the idea of the large numbers of men involved, with the references of them summarising the story of the battle.
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Violent Language
The narrator choses powerful verbs and adjectives to give a strong sense of the violence of the battle, and uses sounds to create a vivid, noisy, hellish setting.
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Heroic Language
Adverbs like "bloody" and verbs like "Charging" emphasise the me's bravery. Respectful language shows how the narrator feels and the soldiers should be remembered.
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Violent Language
The narrator chooses powerful verbs and adjectives to give a strong sense of the violence of the battle, and uses sounds to create a vivid, noisy, hellish setting.
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Card 2

Front

Who is the author?

Back

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Card 3

Front

When was it written?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is it about?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is it about?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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