The Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Heroic Cavalry Charge Amidst War's Chaos
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 though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed 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
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wondered.
Plunged 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 right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Introduction to "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
"The Charge of the Light Brigade" is a renowned poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson that commemorates the bravery and tragic fate of British cavalrymen during the Crimean War. The poem captures the valor of the soldiers while also critiquing the blunders of their commanders.
Setting the Scene
The poem opens with the famous lines:
Half a league, half a league,Half a league onward,
These lines immediately set the pace and rhythm of the advancing cavalry. A 'league' is an old measure of distance, roughly three miles, so "half a league" emphasizes the steady, relentless advance of the troops. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and inevitability.
The Valley of Death
Tennyson uses the metaphor "the valley of Death" to describe the battlefield where the Light Brigade charges:
All in the valley of DeathRode the six hundred.
This imagery evokes a sense of doom and mortality, foreshadowing the tragic outcome for many of the soldiers.
The Command to Charge
The command is given:
“Forward, the Light Brigade!Charge for the guns!” he said.
Here, Tennyson highlights the moment when the order is issued, leading the soldiers into a perilous situation. The phrase "Charge for the guns!" indicates they are heading straight into enemy artillery fire.
Soldiers' Resolve
Despite knowing the danger, the soldiers display unwavering resolve:
Theirs not to make reply,Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
These lines emphasize the soldiers' duty and discipline. They follow orders without question, fully aware of the risks involved.
Battle Description
Tennyson vividly describes the chaos of battle:
Cannon to right of them,Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volleyed and thundered;
The repeated mention of cannons from all directions underscores the overwhelming odds faced by the Light Brigade. Despite this, they charge boldly into "the jaws of Death" and "the mouth of hell."
Moment of Combat
The intensity reaches its peak as the soldiers engage the enemy:
Flashed all their sabres bare,Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
The flashing sabers symbolize the fierce combat taking place. The soldiers manage to break through enemy lines, causing the opposing forces to reel and retreat.
Retreat and Losses
After the initial charge, the survivors attempt to retreat:
Then they rode back, but notNot the six hundred.
This stark contrast between the number who charged forward and those who returned highlights the heavy losses suffered by the Light Brigade.
Heroism Recognized
Tennyson concludes by honoring the soldiers’ heroism:
When can their glory fade?O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
These final lines immortalize the bravery of the soldiers. Despite the strategic blunder that led to unnecessary loss of life, their courage and sacrifice are celebrated and remembered.
Themes and Messages
- Bravery and Sacrifice: The poem honors the unyielding bravery of soldiers who face certain death with courage.
- Duty and Obedience: It reflects on the soldier's commitment to follow orders without questioning.
- Futility of War: While celebrating heroism, the poem subtly critiques the poor leadership that led to such a disastrous charge.
Conclusion
"The Charge of the Light Brigade" remains one of Tennyson’s most powerful works, capturing both the horror and heroism of war. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, it conveys the bravery of soldiers amidst the chaos of battle, ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Key points
The poem immortalizes the courage and discipline of 600 British cavalrymen who charged into an impossible battle due to miscommunication, highlighting both the futility of war and the undying valor of soldiers following orders despite imminent doom; it serves as a reminder of the cost of conflict and the honor owed to those who sacrifice their lives on the battlefield.
