The Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
A Poetic Tribute to Gallant Sacrifice
I
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.
II
“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.
III
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.
IV
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.
V
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.
VI
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade” commemorates an ill-fated British cavalry assault that took place during the Battle of Balaclava (1854) in the Crimean War. Under miscommunicated orders, the Light Brigade rode straight into concentrated Russian artillery fire. Although tactically disastrous, their valor became a symbol of bravery and unwavering dedication to duty.
The poem is structured in six stanzas that mirror the phases of the charge itself—from the initial rallying call to the brigade’s eventual, tragic retreat. Tennyson contrasts the notion that “someone had blundered” with the steadfast obedience and courage displayed by the troops. The repetition of phrases like “Half a league onward” and “Rode the six hundred” creates an almost drum-like rhythm, suggesting both urgency and inevitability.
Particularly notable is Tennyson’s use of vivid, warlike imagery. Lines like “Cannon to right of them, / Cannon to left of them” evoke a sense of encirclement, immersing readers in the chaos and horror of the battlefield. Yet Tennyson consistently celebrates the soldiers’ bravery, portraying them not merely as victims of flawed command but as heroes who enact their orders without hesitation.
By the poem’s close, Tennyson shifts the focus from the calamity itself to the aftermath and the remembrance of valor. He invites the world to “honour the Light Brigade,” ensuring that the soldiers’ actions are not forgotten. While the charge was a mistake, the poem reframes this episode as an extraordinary instance of courage amid confusion, emphasizing loyalty, duty, and national pride.
Hence, “The Charge of the Light Brigade” stands as one of Tennyson’s most iconic pieces, combining martial rhythm, potent imagery, and a deep sympathy for the men who obeyed orders despite near-certain doom. The poem’s refrain reminds us that heroism can be found in acts of self-sacrifice, even in the face of dire miscalculation, and that the memory of such courage endures long after the battlefield has grown quiet.
Key points
• Commemorates a historical event from the Crimean War highlighting both the blunder and the bravery.
• Uses rhythmic repetition to create urgency and invoke the relentless movement of the charge.
• Showcases unwavering obedience to command and the tension between leadership error and soldierly valor.
• Offers a reflection on heroism and sacrifice amid the chaos of war.
• Encourages ongoing remembrance of those who fought and fell in the doomed yet gallant charge.
