Analysing the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore how Tennyson uses language and structure to powerfully express his messages about conflict.
Key learning points
- The poem is written in dactylic dimeter which echoes the forceful sound of horses galloping.
- The ballad contains a refrain, which could highlight the inevitability or scale of the tragedy.
- Tennyson personifies death to create a sense of foreboding, emphasising the vicious attack the soldiers faced.
- Tennyson alludes to Psalm 23, perhaps to criticise those in power who did not fulfil their duty to protect.
- The semantic field changes from that of danger and death to that of honour, bravery and heroism in the final stanza.
Keywords
Patriotic - showing love and devotion to your country
Refrain - a short part of a poem that is repeated
Allusion - a reference to a well-known character or event to deepen the reader’s understanding
Common misconception
It is impressive to be able to identify and name structural techniques in an essay.
It is much better to be able to comment on why certain structural techniques have been used and the effects of them, over just naming them in an essay.
Teacher tip
Ask the students to pick out the ''most important'' line of the poem. This may help them articulate the effect of language.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the AQA Power and Conflict Anthology for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The ''Light Brigade'' in the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade' refers to...
Q2.Why did the Light Brigade go towards the "valley of death" in 'Charge of the Light Brigade'?
Q3.The line: "Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why" from 'Charge of the Light Brigade' reflects the cavalry’s…
Q4.What does Tennyson indirectly cite as the catalyst for the huge suffering and loss of life in 'Charge of the Light Brigade'?
Q5.Match each method that Tennyson uses in 'Charge of the Light Brigade' to the evidence you could use to support it
''Honour the Light Brigade''
The last stanza and ballad form
“While horse and hero fell’’
Q6.In 'Charge of the Light Brigade', why might Tennyson have glorified the soldiers bravery, used euphemisms to describe their flight and memorialised the soldiers?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What meter is most of ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ written in and why?
Q2.Which line is the refrain of the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade'?
Q3.Which line from stanza two of 'Charge of the Light Brigade' breaks the dactylic dimeter and why?
Q4.How does Tennyson present the battle in the following lines from 'Charge of the Light Brigade': "Into the valley of death" and "into the jaws of hell"?
Q5.How does Tennyson end the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade' and why?
Q6.How does the biblical allusion in 'Charge of the Light Brigade' bring a sense of irony to the poem?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the 'Power and Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.