The Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Lord Tennyson | BOSEM Class 10 Notes

Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM)

Class - X

English Literature Reader (Poetry)

Chapter - 3

The Charge of The Light Brigade

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Picture: Wikisource

Substance/Summary of the Poem

"The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred Tennyson depicts the valiant clash between the English Light Brigade and the Russian army. Six hundred English soldiers rode bravely into the valley of death, symbolising the battlefield. Positioned at a distance of "half a league" from the battlefield, they engaged in fierce combat upon arrival, displaying great courage in their endeavour to secure victory for their nation. Despite a mistake made by a British soldier on the battlefield, there was no opportunity to correct it. With only the thought of "Do and die" in their minds, the Light Brigade chose the former, steadfastly holding their ground until their final breaths.

Stanza by Stanza Analysis of the Poem

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.

The speaker in 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' identifies the focus of the poem as the six hundred men who rode to their deaths. He asserts that they were advancing directly into the Valley of Death, which is a clear allusion to Psalm 23 from the Bible. The reference to the Valley of Death could be interpreted as a source of hope, as Psalm 23 includes the phrase, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me.” The speaker implies that the men were aware that they were heading towards their deaths. However, by labelling the location as the Valley of Death, he also implies that the men found solace in the knowledge that their God was accompanying them, even as they advanced towards their deaths.

“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.

In this stanza of ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade,’ the speaker portrays the soldiers' mindset as they advanced. Despite knowing that a grave error would result in the loss of their lives, they persisted in their advance, committed to fulfilling the duty they had been assigned. They did not consider it their role to address the mistake that had been made, nor did they attempt to rationalise why they were being sent into certain death. Instead, they viewed it as their obligation to obey orders and carry out their mission.

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.

The speaker confirms their courage as they entered "the mouth of hell". They speak as if they had personally witnessed the events. The men were aware that they were surrounded. Despite cannons positioned on all sides, they proceeded into the battle, and the speaker remarks that they "rode well". The reader can envision the courageous young men, riding proudly into a battle they were certain to lose. The six hundred men advanced "into the jaws of death" with the noble valour of soldiers prepared to sacrifice their lives for their country. 

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.

The speaker explains that while the army of six hundred bravely charged into what seemed like certain death, the rest of the world questioned the decision to send them into such a perilous situation. However, the soldiers themselves did not question their orders, understanding that it was their duty to engage in battle, even though they were aware that most of them would not survive. although they were outnumbered in firepower, they were able to penetrate the enemy's defences, eliminate a few adversaries, and disperse the Russian gunners. The stanza concludes by noting that some of the soldiers did manage to survive, as indicated by those who "rode back." Yet, it is emphasised that the survivors did not include the full six hundred, leaving the exact number of survivors unspecified. Historical records later revealed that two hundred and forty-seven of the soldiers ultimately returned home from the battle.

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. 

The speaker reiterates that the men were surrounded by cannons on all sides, and emphasizes that both horses and heroes were lost in the battle. He praises their courage, acknowledging that "they had fought so well". Additionally, he describes their survival as miraculous, emphasising that they "came through the jaws of death" and "back from the mouth of hell", highlighting the astounding fact that two hundred and forty-seven of the men survived the battle.

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!

The speaker urges the recognition of the six hundred men who courageously marched with the light brigade at the Battle of Balaclava. By posing the rhetorical question, "When can their glory fade?" the speaker implies that their bravery will be immortalised, especially as they ventured into the Valley of Death. The repetition of "All the World Wondered" emphasises the universal understanding of the peril they confronted, transcending generations. It was widely known that they faced a deadly situation, prompting global wonderment about why they were deployed to battle. The speaker advocates for the honour of the "noble six hundred," aiming to perpetuate the remembrance of their valour. The essence of 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' lies in reminding readers across time of the valour and distinction of the men who participated in the battle. The speaker pays tribute to both the deceased and the survivors among the six hundred, emphasising the importance of honouring their sacrifice as they fearlessly advanced into a battle where many were destined to perish.

Solved Textual Exercises

I. Answer the following questions in a sentence each.

1. "Someone had blundered" What does this line mean?

Ans.: - The line indicates that the commander had issued an incorrect order to the Light Brigade, instructing them to charge ahead against the Russian gunners.

2. "Charge for the guns!" He said. Identify the 'he' here.

Ans: - The individual mentioned as 'he' in this context is the leader of the Light Brigade.

3. "Theirs not to reply." Why were the soldier not to reply?

Ans: - The true soldier's spirit on the battlefield was one of action and sacrifice, rather than engaging in verbal exchanges. Their discipline and sense of responsibility prevented them from responding in kind.

4. What did the soldiers of the Light Brigade do with their sabres?

Ans.: - The soldiers of The Light Brigade engaged the enemies using their sabres.

5. 'Not the six hundred.' Why did not all six hundred ride back?

Ans.: - Not all of the six hundred soldiers returned, as some may have been killed or injured, while others could have been taken as captives.

II. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What was the command given by the commander?

Ans.: - The order given was "Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!" This meant the troops were instructed to advance and to attack the Russian Gunners.

2. Why is the valley described as 'Valley of Death'?

Ans.: - The valley earned the moniker 'Valley of Death' due to its association with the fierce battle of Balaclava, during which numerous soldiers met their demise on its battlefield. (Moniker - nickname, byname)

3. "Someone had blundered." How did the soldiers react when they felt that the commander had blundered?

Ans.: - The soldiers followed the commander's orders despite feeling that he had made a mistake. They chose not to challenge the erroneous command, viewing it as their duty to potentially sacrifice their lives if necessary.

4. How were the Russian cannon positioned?

Ans.: - The positioning of the Russian cannons was strategic, as they encircled the six hundred British soldiers from the right, left, and front as the soldiers advanced towards them. As the soldiers retreated, the cannons were then positioned on their right, left, and behind.

5. "Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouths of Hell"

Explain the imagery.

Ans.: - The poet employs frightening imagery in the couplet, likening the soldiers' advance towards the enemy cannons on the left, right, and front to marching into the maw of a savage beast or entering a nightmarish realm. (maw - mouth, oral cavity)

6. How did the soldiers charge?

Ans.: - The six hundred British soldiers courageously and confidently advanced towards the Russian gunners. They had separated and disrupted their enemy by brandishing their sabres. They dove into the smoke from the cannons, shattered the enemy's formation, and incapacitated some of them.

7. "All the world wondered" Why does the poet say so?

Ans.: - The British soldiers were aware that their commander had issued a naïve and incorrect command. Despite this, they dutifully followed the order, driven by a sense of desperate heroism and hope. Their incredible display of courage and discipline left the world in awe, prompting the poet to make this observation.

8. What was the impact of the Light Brigade's charge on the enemy?

Ans.: - The six hundred British soldiers, despite being outnumbered and less well-equipped, advanced towards the enemy's artillery amidst thick smoke from the shelling. They courageously engaged the enemy gunners with their sabres, mounting a fierce attack that resulted in the killing and scattering of the Russian gunners.

9. They that had fought so well. What happened to those soldiers?

Ans.: - The six hundred British soldiers displayed great courage and bravery in battle, but unfortunately, the majority sustained serious injuries, and many lost their lives. Despite this, they succeeded in breaking the enemy's line and dispersing them. Regrettably, not all of the soldiers made it through the battle.

10. "When can their glory fade?" Why does the poet ask so?

Ans.: - The poet consistently emphasises in the poem the immense challenges encountered by those involved in war. They bravely enter enemy territory without hesitation, fully aware that it will inevitably lead to their demise. Their sacrifices symbolise the dedication of all individuals who devote their lives to their country. Therefore, the poet poses the following question.

11. "Honour the Light Brigade" Why does the poet ask the people to honour the Light Brigade?

Ans.: - The exceptional displays of courage exhibited by the Light Brigade will be remembered for generations to come. Their bravery, fearlessness, sense of duty, and willingness to sacrifice for their homeland have left a lasting impression. It is fitting that they receive recognition and respect, which is why the poet urges people worldwide to honour the Light Brigade.