The charge of the Light Brigade

Alfred, Lord Tennyson



Intro


 In the Crimean War (1854-
1856 ) a light cavalry
brigade of the British forces
conducted a suicidal charge
in the Battle of Balaclava in
Ukraine. Of the 637 men in
the brigade, 247 were killed.
Britain, France and Turkey
were fighting Russia. The
title is about the courageous
brigade and their doom.

The Poet


 Born in August 6, 1809 , in
Somersby , Lincolnshire ,
England

 Born in a middle class family
 Studied in Cambridge where

his writing career flourished
 One of the most well-loved

Victorian poets. His famous
works includes Ulysses, The
Princess: A Medley And In
Memoriam A.H.H



Half a league,

half a league,
Half a league onward,

The soldiers were on their horses,
charging forward.



In the poem, half a league refers to?

The unit to measure distance
- A league: about 3 miles / 2.5 km

All in the valley of Death

They were moving towards the
battlefield which was frightening

and deadly



Rode the six hundred

There were six hundred horsemen in
the brigade.

How many soldiers are there in the
Light Brigade?
600 men.

“Forward, the Light Brigade!

The commander of the brigade
ordered the Horsemen to move

forward.



Charge for the guns!” he said

The Light Brigade was ordered to
seize the enemy’s guns.

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

The six hundred soldiers rode into
battle even though they know they

will end their lives.





“Forward, The Light Brigade!”

The commander repeated the
command and move forward.

Was there a man dismayed?

Were any of the soldiers scared?

Not though the soldier knew

Someone had blundered

None of the soldiers lost the courage even
though they knew that someone had made

a mistake.



Which of the following words means ‘mistake’?



a) Blunder
b) Dismay
c) Volley
d) Charge

a) blunder

Theirs not to make reply,



It was not the soldiers’ place to
talk back to their commander.

Theirs not to reason why,



It was not the soldiers’ place to
question the order from the
commander.

Theirs but to do and die.



It was their duty to carry out the
command given even if it results in

death.

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

The six hundred soldiers rode into battle
even though they know they will end their

lives.



“Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them,

The soldiers were surrounded by enemy
cannon from all sides. Defeat was clear for

the soldiers.



Volleyed and thundered;

The firing of cannons all around
made a thundering sound.



Stormed at with shot and shell,

Bullets and explosives were
fired violently like a storm.

Boldly they rode and well



Despite the attacks, the soldiers
rode on with a great courage.

Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of hell

Rode the six hundred.

The six hundred soldiers rode into
battle even though they know they

will end their lives.

THE COMPLEXITIES OF WAR LOYALTY AND DUTY
-The soldiers obediently
-A war can bring out the best follow the commander’s
and worst of mankind. order without question.
-The violence and tragedy of -They have a strong sense of
war but also celebrate the loyalty and are willing to risk
courage and loyalty of the their own lives to do their
soldiers. duty.

COURAGE AND HEROTIHSMEMES

-The poem honours the PATRIOTISM
bravery and heroism of the -The soldiers fight bravely to
Light Brigade defend their country.
-The soldiers do not hesitate -Despite knowing the futility
to fight in the battle despite of the situation, their loyalty
knowing that death awaits never wavers.
them

MORAL VALUES


Word Banks


 Charge- attack  Blunder- mistake, error

 Brigade- an army or unit  Cannon- a weapon that
or division shoots large metallic balls

 League- a distance of  Volley- repeated firing
roughly 5km  Storm- attack
 Cavalry- horse soldiers, an
 Valley- canyon, dale
 Dismay- consternation, army division of soldiers on
horseback
terror

 Though- despite

Exercise 1


1. Who ordered the cavalry to charge?
2. How many men were there in the cavalry?
3. Were any of the cavalry dismayed at the order to

charge?
4. What did the soldier know?
5. What does the poet mean by “theirs but to do and

die”?

6. Describe the battle.