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The Charge of the Light Brigade
A narrative poem about the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War.
"[...] Yet know you, as your England knows
That you and all your men
Were soldiers to her heart’s desire,
When, in the vanish’d year,
You saw the league-long rampart-fire
Flare from Tel-el-Kebir
Thro’ darkness, and the foe was driven,
And Wolseley overthrew
Arâbi, and the stars in heaven
Paled, and the glory grew.
THE CHARGE OF THE HEAVY BRIGADE AT BALACLAVA
October 25, 1854
[...]".
"[...] Yet know you, as your England knows
That you and all your men
Were soldiers to her heart’s desire,
When, in the vanish’d year,
You saw the league-long rampart-fire
Flare from Tel-el-Kebir
Thro’ darkness, and the foe was driven,
And Wolseley overthrew
Arâbi, and the stars in heaven
Paled, and the glory grew.
THE CHARGE OF THE HEAVY BRIGADE AT BALACLAVA
October 25, 1854
[...]".
25 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1854
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About the author
Alfred Tennyson
2,217 books1,427 followersWorks, including
In Memoriam
in 1850 and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" in 1854, of Alfred Tennyson, first baron, known as lord, appointed British poet laureate in 1850, reflect Victorian sentiments and aesthetics.
Elizabeth Tennyson, wife, bore Alfred Tennyson, the fourth of twelve children, to George Tennyson, clergyman; he inevitably wrote his books. In 1816, parents sent Tennyson was sent to grammar school of Louth.
Alfred Tennyson disliked school so intensely that from 1820, home educated him. At the age of 18 years in 1827, Alfred joined his two brothers at Trinity College, Cambridge and with Charles Tennyson, his brother, published Poems by Two Brothers , his book, in the same year.
Alfred Tennyson published Poems Chiefly Lyrical , his second book, in 1830. In 1833, Arthur Henry Hallam, best friend of Tennyson, engaged to wed his sister, died, and thus inspired some best Ulysses and the Passing of Arthur .
Following William Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson in 1850 married Emily Sellwood Tenyson, his childhood friend. She bore Hallam Tennyson in 1852 and Lionel Tennyson in 1854, two years later.
Alfred Tennyson continued throughout his life and in the 1870s also to write a number of plays.
In 1884, the queen raised Alfred Tennyson, a great favorite of Albert, prince, thereafter to the peerage of Aldworth. She granted such a high rank for solely literary distinction to this only Englishman.
Alfred Tennyson died at the age of 83 years, and people buried his body in abbey of Westminster.
Elizabeth Tennyson, wife, bore Alfred Tennyson, the fourth of twelve children, to George Tennyson, clergyman; he inevitably wrote his books. In 1816, parents sent Tennyson was sent to grammar school of Louth.
Alfred Tennyson disliked school so intensely that from 1820, home educated him. At the age of 18 years in 1827, Alfred joined his two brothers at Trinity College, Cambridge and with Charles Tennyson, his brother, published Poems by Two Brothers , his book, in the same year.
Alfred Tennyson published Poems Chiefly Lyrical , his second book, in 1830. In 1833, Arthur Henry Hallam, best friend of Tennyson, engaged to wed his sister, died, and thus inspired some best Ulysses and the Passing of Arthur .
Following William Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson in 1850 married Emily Sellwood Tenyson, his childhood friend. She bore Hallam Tennyson in 1852 and Lionel Tennyson in 1854, two years later.
Alfred Tennyson continued throughout his life and in the 1870s also to write a number of plays.
In 1884, the queen raised Alfred Tennyson, a great favorite of Albert, prince, thereafter to the peerage of Aldworth. She granted such a high rank for solely literary distinction to this only Englishman.
Alfred Tennyson died at the age of 83 years, and people buried his body in abbey of Westminster.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
September 24, 2007
Leave it to a martial poet to make heroic poetry out of stupidity and failure. I absolutely love this poem, as long as I don't think about the reality behind it.
April 27, 2021
This immortal poem is an unforgettable remembrance of the rash and courageous British Light Calvary Brigade against the Russian forces near the Black Sea at the disastrous and dramatic Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War on October 25, 1854. Lord Tennyson, who was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom at the time, wrote this poem after reading about the incident, which was published in December 1854 and became hugely popular.
“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.”
Magnificent poem and illustrations.
“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.”
Magnificent poem and illustrations.
November 23, 2017
"Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die."
This poem was mentioned in The Punisher and I just had to read it.
This is another prime example of why the 19th century was the age of poetry. The emotion, the imagery, the eloquence...
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die."
This poem was mentioned in The Punisher and I just had to read it.
This is another prime example of why the 19th century was the age of poetry. The emotion, the imagery, the eloquence...
October 23, 2022
A certain R Airey has a lot to answer for as it was his order that resulted in one of the most futile charges of the Crimean War. Airey ordered, 'Lord Raglen wishes the cavalry to advance rapidly to the front, follow the enemy and try to prevent the enemy carrying away the guns - Troop Horse Artillery may accompany. French cavalry is on your left. Immediate.' The order was issued in response to the seizure of British guns in a Russian cavalry raid and while French cavalry may well have been on the left, on the other three sides of the Balaclava Valley the Russians were waiting for Cardigan and his men.
It all happened on 25 October 1854 and it was described in The London Evening Star as 'A Bloody Massacre'. The Light Brigade felt that they had no option but to obey and Cardigan stated, 'The Brigade will advance Walk, march, trot' and he never looked back. The 600 men , units of Her Royal Majesty's 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, 11th Hussars, 4th Light Dragoons and 8th Hussars were confronted by the might of the Russian Army and after it was all over, in the one day, there were terrible casualties on the British side. the 17th Lancers were reduced to 37 troopers and the 13th Light Dragoons were left with two officers and eight mounted men.
When Tennyson read the news in The Times he was deeply affected and he wrote his poem in commemoration of their courage only a few minutes later. It immediately proved extremely popular and copies even found their way to the troops back in the Crimea where it was distributed in pamphlet form. And here it is in its entirety with fantastic illustrations by the graduates of the Chicago Art Institute and the University of California Alice and Martin Provensen.
Of course, it was later commemorated when Manfred Mann produced his record '5-4-3-2-1', 'Onward, onward rode the 600, 5-4-3-2-1, Into the Valley of Death they thundered 5-4-3-2-1', well remembered from my youth! But this edition brings to life the futility of the action with those dramatic illustrations.
It all happened on 25 October 1854 and it was described in The London Evening Star as 'A Bloody Massacre'. The Light Brigade felt that they had no option but to obey and Cardigan stated, 'The Brigade will advance Walk, march, trot' and he never looked back. The 600 men , units of Her Royal Majesty's 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, 11th Hussars, 4th Light Dragoons and 8th Hussars were confronted by the might of the Russian Army and after it was all over, in the one day, there were terrible casualties on the British side. the 17th Lancers were reduced to 37 troopers and the 13th Light Dragoons were left with two officers and eight mounted men.
When Tennyson read the news in The Times he was deeply affected and he wrote his poem in commemoration of their courage only a few minutes later. It immediately proved extremely popular and copies even found their way to the troops back in the Crimea where it was distributed in pamphlet form. And here it is in its entirety with fantastic illustrations by the graduates of the Chicago Art Institute and the University of California Alice and Martin Provensen.
Of course, it was later commemorated when Manfred Mann produced his record '5-4-3-2-1', 'Onward, onward rode the 600, 5-4-3-2-1, Into the Valley of Death they thundered 5-4-3-2-1', well remembered from my youth! But this edition brings to life the futility of the action with those dramatic illustrations.
November 14, 2012
I visited the site of the battle on a tour bus. The guide gave a fair description of the troop disposition, and the reasons the British were engaged in a battle so far from home (the Black Sea). It really was a foolish war. I'm not quite so sure was as balanced, but the guide did give the excuses blinded by the sun, deafened by the cannon, view blocked by the land contours. Anyway, it seemed a bit hokey when the guide started reciting the poem, but it was moving. A memorable soundtrack to the wide open farmers field that stretched across the valley before us.
November 29, 2020
This book was not bad and when I read it with a recording from YouTube (posted below) I got really into it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkffy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkffy...
April 20, 2017
Another fascinating poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson! This time he explores the war, the energy of this poetry relates to men who know they are doomed and yet they valiantly fight as though they could win the war and keep on fighting even as they enter old age.
This is a poem about the Crimean war, particularly the battle of Balaclava, and was published on 9 December 1854. Reportedly, it was written in one day, the 2nd of December 1854. No less interesting on that account. I give it 4 stars.
This is a poem about the Crimean war, particularly the battle of Balaclava, and was published on 9 December 1854. Reportedly, it was written in one day, the 2nd of December 1854. No less interesting on that account. I give it 4 stars.
May 23, 2015
As far as I'm concerned, The Charge of the Light Brigade is the greatest poem ever written... and Alfred, Lord Tennyson is the greatest poet to have ever lived. His poems are sheer perfection!
*5/5 stars*
*5/5 stars*
Read
April 25, 2024It seems only Tennyson could turn an incident that should have been seen as the comedy of errors and the national embarrassment that the actual charge was into a soul stirring, heroic piece. While I don't hold this one in as high regard as I do Ulysses, Charge is still a fine piece of English verse and its reputation is well earned. One could even teach this as an example of propaganda and how it can be used effectively to inspire people into action.
It's also a good one to read aloud if you want to whip people into shape, it certainly can do that.
February 1, 2021
I never knew where the line "theirs is not to reason why, theirs is to do or die" came from. Now I know. I did a little research on the Crimean War and learned some references to the "thin red line" and the movie, "The Punisher". Tennyson has never been high on my list of to-reads, but I'm glad I did. A moving poem about the courage of a few men, who went into battle knowing the odds weren't in their favor, but following orders nonetheless. Tennyson does a great job of showing the bravery and futility of the moment, eliciting the patriotic notions of the reader. A must read for any classical enthusiast.
January 27, 2021
I have loved this poem since Mr. Trisell's 8th grade English class in 1971. It thunders, it gallops, it paints shockingly clear pictures in the mind's eye, deftly controlling the reader's imagination - which is always the mark of really good writing. Courage, honor, duty, conviction...all the best of the human spirit. "Nobel six hundred".
This marvelous poem makes me a little sad and wistful; it was part of a large body of classic literature that was common (if a bit vague) knowledge for my generation and generations preceding ours. Now I fear it has been replaced with vapid drivel, and I doubt young people nowadays ever heard of Alfred Lord Tennyson, much less "The Charge Of The Light Brigade". Unless they've read LM Montgomery where they'd have stumbled upon Tennyson as Anne reenacts "The Lady Of Shalott"! Oh, I hope they have.
This marvelous poem makes me a little sad and wistful; it was part of a large body of classic literature that was common (if a bit vague) knowledge for my generation and generations preceding ours. Now I fear it has been replaced with vapid drivel, and I doubt young people nowadays ever heard of Alfred Lord Tennyson, much less "The Charge Of The Light Brigade". Unless they've read LM Montgomery where they'd have stumbled upon Tennyson as Anne reenacts "The Lady Of Shalott"! Oh, I hope they have.
May 31, 2017
This is without a doubt one of the finest examples of English poetry that you will every have the privilege of reading.
October 27, 2019
Not the epic I thought it would be but an excellent poem none the less. This work could apply for any forlorn hope.
March 28, 2017
Very brilliant poem
March 4, 2024
Idk if i'm making this up but mr wood def said once that this was his fav poem. its depressing military-esque nature is so on brand for him.
December 10, 2017
Courage is a hard thing to figure. You can have courage based on a dumb idea or mistake, but you’re not supposed to question adults, or your coach or your teacher, because they make the rules. Maybe they know best, but maybe they don’t. It all depends on who you are, where you come from. Didn’t at least one of the six hundred guys think about giving up, and joining with the other side? I mean, valley of death that’s pretty salty stuff. That’s why courage it’s tricky. Should you always do what others tell you to do? Sometimes you might not even know why you’re doing something. I mean any fool can have courage. But honor, that’s the real reason for you either do something or you don’t. It’s who you are and maybe who you want to be. If you die trying for something important, then you have both honor and courage, and that’s pretty good. I think that’s what the writer was saying, that you should hope for courage and try for honor. And maybe even pray that the people telling you what to do have some, too
February 23, 2022
I am a Tennyson fan and can appreciate this poem, but it just didn’t strike me as something that resonated with me.
December 30, 2024
An interesting story and poem. In my opinion war heroes deserve praise, and yet I am an advocate of peace and will protest against war and its atrocities. I shake my head at humankind reading these kinds of stories, and lower it to think of these soldiers and their loved ones who died due to presumably unintentional errors of those above them.
Wow how tragic the real life occurrence this poem depicts:
The miscommunication that led to the **Charge of the Light Brigade** occurred during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War. The British cavalry was given an order that was poorly worded and misunderstood, resulting in the Light Brigade charging directly into a heavily fortified Russian artillery position.
### **The Miscommunication:**
1. **The Original Order**: The British commander, Lord Raglan, issued an order to the cavalry to advance and prevent the Russian artillery from removing their guns, which were positioned to fire on British forces. He sent this order to his subordinates, including Lord Lucan, who was in charge of the cavalry.
2. **Ambiguity in the Order**: The order was unclear about which artillery the cavalry should target. Lord Raglan reportedly said: “There is a battery of Russian guns in front of the 17th Lancers. The Light Brigade will advance and attack them.” However, this was vague and led to confusion over whether it referred to a set of guns at the Russian front (which would have been the correct target) or to a much more heavily defended position further down the line.
3. **Misinterpretation by Lord Lucan**: Lord Lucan, who was supposed to relay the order to the cavalry, interpreted the command to mean that the Light Brigade should charge directly toward the heavily defended artillery in the valley, which was far more dangerous than the intended target. The order was meant for the **Heavy Brigade** to attack, not the Light Brigade, but due to the confusion, Lucan mistakenly ordered the Light Brigade to advance.
4. **The Charge**: As a result, the Light Brigade, led by Lord Cardigan, charged straight into the Russian artillery line, facing devastating fire. Over 600 men rode into the valley of death, where they were slaughtered by artillery, rifles, and cannons.
### **The Aftermath**:
Despite the tragic outcome, the bravery of the Light Brigade was celebrated, but the military leadership faced criticism for the miscommunication. It exposed the dangers of poor communication in warfare, as well as the consequences of vague orders and unclear hierarchies.
The incident is often cited as an example of the chaos and unpredictability of war, where even the most courageous soldiers can be led to disaster by the failure of their superiors to communicate effectively.
Wow how tragic the real life occurrence this poem depicts:
The miscommunication that led to the **Charge of the Light Brigade** occurred during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War. The British cavalry was given an order that was poorly worded and misunderstood, resulting in the Light Brigade charging directly into a heavily fortified Russian artillery position.
### **The Miscommunication:**
1. **The Original Order**: The British commander, Lord Raglan, issued an order to the cavalry to advance and prevent the Russian artillery from removing their guns, which were positioned to fire on British forces. He sent this order to his subordinates, including Lord Lucan, who was in charge of the cavalry.
2. **Ambiguity in the Order**: The order was unclear about which artillery the cavalry should target. Lord Raglan reportedly said: “There is a battery of Russian guns in front of the 17th Lancers. The Light Brigade will advance and attack them.” However, this was vague and led to confusion over whether it referred to a set of guns at the Russian front (which would have been the correct target) or to a much more heavily defended position further down the line.
3. **Misinterpretation by Lord Lucan**: Lord Lucan, who was supposed to relay the order to the cavalry, interpreted the command to mean that the Light Brigade should charge directly toward the heavily defended artillery in the valley, which was far more dangerous than the intended target. The order was meant for the **Heavy Brigade** to attack, not the Light Brigade, but due to the confusion, Lucan mistakenly ordered the Light Brigade to advance.
4. **The Charge**: As a result, the Light Brigade, led by Lord Cardigan, charged straight into the Russian artillery line, facing devastating fire. Over 600 men rode into the valley of death, where they were slaughtered by artillery, rifles, and cannons.
### **The Aftermath**:
Despite the tragic outcome, the bravery of the Light Brigade was celebrated, but the military leadership faced criticism for the miscommunication. It exposed the dangers of poor communication in warfare, as well as the consequences of vague orders and unclear hierarchies.
The incident is often cited as an example of the chaos and unpredictability of war, where even the most courageous soldiers can be led to disaster by the failure of their superiors to communicate effectively.
January 17, 2020
Intensly patriotic.
Phenomenal poem full of emotive passion.
But it's hard not to be repulsed by the blatant waste of life..
Canon fodder and flashing sabres are ghastly images of barbarism
The Charge of the Light Brigade
BY ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON
I
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.
II
“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.
III
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.
IV
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.
V
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.
VI
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!
Phenomenal poem full of emotive passion.
But it's hard not to be repulsed by the blatant waste of life..
Canon fodder and flashing sabres are ghastly images of barbarism
The Charge of the Light Brigade
BY ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON
I
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.
II
“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.
III
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.
IV
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.
V
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.
VI
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!
June 23, 2021
I
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.
II
“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.
III
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.
IV
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.
V
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.
VI
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!
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.
II
“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.
III
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.
IV
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.
V
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.
VI
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!
December 31, 2022
The Charge of the Light Brigade was written as a narrative poem to cover the actual Charge of the Light Brigade and what happened to them. Lord Cardigan led British light cavalry forces to face the Russians during the Battle of Balaclava, Crimean War. There was a terrible miscommunication in strategy, and the forces were sent to a frontal assault to which they were not suited. Their original mission was to prevent Russians from capturing Turkish guns that were captured in a previous battle. Ultimately, 110 were killed and over 100 more were wounded. This poem is haunting, providing a desperate image of what these men went through thanks to poor leadership.
Another fun fact: this poem inspired the Iron Maiden song "The Trooper".
Another fun fact: this poem inspired the Iron Maiden song "The Trooper".
September 13, 2023
This is the most beautifully written piece of propaganda I’ve ever come across. It describes in no uncertain terms how brave and noble the Light Brigade soldiers were to follow their orders and make a suicidal charge. While it was brave, I don’t think it was noble. “Lions led by donkeys” is the key phrase here.
No doubt I disagree with this poem’s message, but the words! I just love the epic style in which it was written. The first stanza in particular, the famous one, is widely known for a reason, and I even tried to memorize it when I was a kid. The adults around me wondered why I wanted to memorize a pro-war poem, but it was because of just how amazing the poem is despite, or because, its context.
No doubt I disagree with this poem’s message, but the words! I just love the epic style in which it was written. The first stanza in particular, the famous one, is widely known for a reason, and I even tried to memorize it when I was a kid. The adults around me wondered why I wanted to memorize a pro-war poem, but it was because of just how amazing the poem is despite, or because, its context.
November 13, 2017
Powerful and evocative.
It has taken me too many years to actually read this poem, and although I use two of the lines quite regularly,
(Ours is not to reason why,
Ours is but to do or die),
I never knew where it came from! I just thought it was just another one of those sayings that you'd known forever!
It is a very powerful and evocative poem that takes you right into the heart of the Battle of Balclava, the sights and sounds accompany you throughout this beautifully written piece of poetry. Everyone should read this poem at least once (I read it on Remembrance Sunday, but that wasn't purposefully!)
All in all an amazing read.
It has taken me too many years to actually read this poem, and although I use two of the lines quite regularly,
(Ours is not to reason why,
Ours is but to do or die),
I never knew where it came from! I just thought it was just another one of those sayings that you'd known forever!
It is a very powerful and evocative poem that takes you right into the heart of the Battle of Balclava, the sights and sounds accompany you throughout this beautifully written piece of poetry. Everyone should read this poem at least once (I read it on Remembrance Sunday, but that wasn't purposefully!)
All in all an amazing read.
August 22, 2021
هل هي قصّة شرف ، وشجاعة و تضحية ،أم ساديّة سلطة لاتعترف ولا تأبه برأي من تستعملهم لصالحها ، وقع خطأ ولا أحد تجاسر و عارض ، هل علي تقدير هذا أو ذمّه ... هي الحرب وسط لغطها ينصهر العقل و الجموع تغدوا منوّمة تحكمها قيم الشرف و الشجاعة أو الجبن والخيانة و حياتك بينهما لا قيمة لها مقابل القضيّة التي غالبا لايفهم منها الجنود غير جانب العداوة والإنتقام و الدفاع عن الأمن و الإستقرار و الأرض ، كلا الجنود من كلا الأطراف المتناحرة تسعى للمجد و الشرف وكلاها لا تفهم لماذا تحمل السلاح حقا ... شاعرنا رأيه واضح وتمجيد الإنصياع لصالح القضية و الوطن هو شجاعة و شرف.
May 23, 2023
"Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell"
A gripping historical account that brings to life the infamous military engagement during the Crimean War.
-Offers insights into the human condition and the nature of warfare.
-Effectively captures the chaos and confusion of battle
- A poignant and powerful account that pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers involved, leaving a lasting impression on its readers.
February 17, 2017
I'm the worst for even putting this on my goodreads.... but I like to keep track of everything. Anyways, this is blatant patriotism and I didn't really like it for that fact. It romanticizes war and as a pacifistic - I'm not really here for that. That being said, I can't give it 1 star because the techniques it uses are admirable and the circumstances of being poet laureate excuse Tennyson somewhat...
December 18, 2022
A war poem depicting a brigade of 600 soldiers charging bravely in the face of canons. Shows the determination and bravery of the men. The second stanza tells the true story, someone had made a mistake and they are riding a suicide mission:
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.
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.
October 15, 2017
"“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."
The most famous passage in this short poem, but the entire poem is wonderful!
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."
The most famous passage in this short poem, but the entire poem is wonderful!
September 1, 2020
Wow...
This might be the best poem I've ever read; it certainly is the first time I've encountered a poet trying to integrate narrative foreshadowing into poetry, a unique hybrid. This is excellent use of suspense in POETIC FORM, with the atmospheric verse presentation of the battle heightening the already present suspense.
What an original use of the form. Truly splendid.
This might be the best poem I've ever read; it certainly is the first time I've encountered a poet trying to integrate narrative foreshadowing into poetry, a unique hybrid. This is excellent use of suspense in POETIC FORM, with the atmospheric verse presentation of the battle heightening the already present suspense.
What an original use of the form. Truly splendid.
May 13, 2022
Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is to do or die. A partial glorification of brave and doomed soldiers, although the futility and folly of war abounds also.
“Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.”
“Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.”
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