Harsh Criticism of "Charge of the Light Brigade"

“Charge of the Light Brigade” is a hyperbolic poem describing the famous military blunder which occurred during the Crimean war in 1854, when a brigade of British Light Cavalry was ordered to charge straight into a firing line of Russian artillery, wiping out over 50% of the Brigade’s effectiveness. Tennyson’s poem describes the charge as heroic and noble, instead of bloody and destructive.

                The poem uses Heroic Couplets which are most common among narrative and epic poetry. Heroic couplets are characterized as rhyming lines in the iambic pentameter format.

                The first stanza of the poem utilizes hyperbole to describe the Light Brigade’s charge, describing the Russian artillery brigade’s defilading fire as “the valley of death”.

                The second stanza adds description to the Light Brigade’s soldiers, implying they did not necessarily agree with the orders given, but followed them out of a sense of duty. At this point in the poem, it is obvious the author believes the charge was an ill-thought out plan, but seems to support the decision anyway, making the poem seem jingoistic and overly patriotic.

                The third, fourth and fifth stanzas use repetition to state the existence and importance of the Russian artillery brigade firing on the light cavalry, and the light cavalry’s attack and retreat. Hyperbole is yet again used to describe the oncoming fire as “the jaws of Death” and “the mouth of Hell”. Tennyson’s use of hyperbole persists throughout the entire poem.

                The final stanza is victim to more hyperbole, with the speaker proclaiming the ever-lasting glory which the Light Brigade received for following an order which nearly annihilated it.