LO: To explore meaning in a poem.

Tennyson wrote "The Charge of the Light Brigade" in a few minutes on December 2, 1854. He had read an article in the London Times about the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, which was fought from 1853 to 1856.On 25 October 1854 Lord Raglan decided to attack the Russians. He sent an order but it was fatally misinterpreted, and 673 Light Brigade cavalrymen were sent charging down the valley with Russian guns all around. Between 100 and 200 soldiers are thought to have died.Raglan's order was badly written. It told cavalry commander Lord Lucan "to go quickly to the front... & try to stop the enemy carrying away the guns". The order was delivered by Captain Nolan and Lucan asked Nolan what it exactly meant. Nolan impatiently pointed down the valley and replied: "There, my lord, is your enemy; there are your guns." This poem is about courage, not about the bad luck or stupidity that put the men of the Light Brigade cavalry in a position to show that courage.

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: 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.

LO: LO: To explore meaning in a poem..

What words stand out? Why?How could you use them in your own writing?

What words stand out? Why?How could you use them in your own writing?

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 HellRode 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.

LO: LO: To explore meaning in a poem..

What techniques can you identify?How are they effective?

What techniques can you identify?How are they effective?

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. Honor the charge they made!Honor the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!

LO: To explore meaning in a poem..

What are the phrases that are prominent in these stanzas?Why do you think the poet starts the final stanza with a rhetorical question?

What are the phrases that are prominent in these stanzas?Why do you think the poet starts the final stanza with a rhetorical question?

Dear Mum,

It is the day before the battle…Write a postcard home to someone you love. Tell them what is about to happen, and you feel about it.

LO: LO: To explore meaning in a poem.