Beyond the Gallop: Tennyson’s The Charge of the Light Brigade (AQA Poetry Anthology)

In this episode of Study Sessions, we explore Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s The Charge of the Light Brigade, a poem that immortalises the bravery of 600 British soldiers who rode into certain death during the Crimean War. With a close reading of key lines, we uncover the poem’s rhythmic intensity, its complex tone of admiration and critique, and its broader commentary on obedience and sacrifice.

We’ll discuss:

• How Tennyson uses rhythm and repetition to create urgency.
• The significance of “Theirs not to reason why” and its implications for duty and obedience.
• The vivid imagery of “Cannon to right of them” and its effect on tone.
• The shift from individual to universal perspectives in the final stanza.

Perfect for GCSE English Literature revision, this episode equips you with the tools to analyse Tennyson’s masterpiece on a deeper level. Is the poem a celebration of heroism, a critique of authority, or both? Tune in to find out!