Lauren Glock 6.2.12
How is the theme conflict presented by Alfred Tennyson in ‘The Charge Of The Light Brigade’?
Tennyson reflects on conflict within the poem when discussing the subject of war, where someone had “Blunder’d” impending doom upon many soldiers.
Tennyson was born in 1809, in the city of Lincolnshire but later lived on the Isle of Wight and Surrey. Studying at Trinity College, Cambridge Tennyson was destined to be a great poet; and that he was. One of the best the Victorian era ever saw-becoming the poet laureate in 1850 till 1892. Tennyson read about the Charge of the Light Brigade in ‘The Times’ and responded with this poem.
The original charge of the light brigade took place in the Crimean War, 1853-1856. The poem describes a disastrous battle between the British cavalry and Russian forces. Instead of retaking guns, the commanding officer imperatively commanded “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” This miss hearing sent the cavalry, only armed with swords, into battle with the Cossack’s, armed with guns, practically defenceless against their enemies. The soldiers very obedient, and with their sense of duty- don’t question their commanding officer- knowing their riding ‘Into the valley of Death’. This passage is from psalm 23 ‘…..through the valley of the shadow of death…….’, making the poem seem solemn and significant. Although many were killed or wounded; Tennyson admires their bravery with a touch of sadness for those who were killed. ’While horse and hero fell, they had fought so well,’ Appreciation to the soldiers who made a huge sacrifice even though they knew that death was likely. ’Noble six hundred!’. It is as if he romanticized the events when in reality ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ was brutal and vigorously violent.