The Charge Of The Light Brigade

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Narrative 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. 'Forward, the Light Brigade!' Was there a man dismay'd ? Not tho' the soldier knew Some one had blunder'd: Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Their's 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 Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' 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 wonder'd. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a powerful exploration of courage, duty, and the horror of war. Its narrative structure and vivid, rhythmic imagery create a sense of the relentless charge of a doomed cavalry brigade. The repetition of the phrase "half a league" and the refrain "rode the six hundred" build a sense of relentless forward motion and impending doom. This is intensified by the grim refrain "into the valley of Death," which underscores the fatalistic bravery of the soldiers.

The poem is marked by a palpable tension between admiration for the men's bravery and criticism of the blunder that sent them into the line of fire. The speaker marvels at their dedication and resolve, even in the face of certain death, yet there's also a subtle critique of blind obedience—highlighted in lines such as "Their's not to make reply, / Their's not to reason why, / Their's but to do and die." This tension between duty and senseless sacrifice is central to the poem's impact.

The poem's tone is both somber and celebratory. The poet mourns the loss of the six hundred, yet also honours their bravery. The closing lines, "When can their glory fade? / O the wild charge they made! / All the world wonder'd. / Honour the charge they made! / Honour the Light Brigade, / Noble six hundred!" serve as a tribute to their courage and sacrifice. The use of exclamation marks here heightens the emotional intensity and reinforces the reader's sense of awe and respect for these fallen soldiers.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.