599. The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
·2 min
This episode of Classic Poetry Aloud features a complete reading of Alfred Lord Tennyson's famous poem 'The Charge of the Light Brigade'. The poem begins with the rhythmic 'half a league, half a league, half a league onward' that establishes the cavalry's movement. It immediately introduces the central image of 'the valley of death' where the six hundred ride. Tennyson reveals the soldiers knew 'some one had blundered' but followed orders without question. The poem builds tension with the repetition of 'cannon to right of them, cannon to left of them, cannon in front of them'. It describes the soldiers riding 'into the jaws of death' and 'into the mouth of hell' amid shot and shell. The battle climaxes with sabres flashing as they turn in air and sabre gunners. The Light Brigade breaks through enemy lines, causing Cossack and Russian forces to reel. Then comes the tragic turn: 'they rode back, but not, not the six hundred'. The retreat is equally perilous with cannons now behind them as horse and hero fall. The survivors are described as 'all that was left of them, left of six hundred'. Tennyson shifts to reflection, asking 'When can their glory fade?' and noting 'All the world wondered'. The poem concludes with the imperative 'Honour the charge they made'. The reading maintains a consistent pace that captures the poem's galloping rhythm. No introduction or commentary accompanies the poem itself. The episode format is purely a spoken performance of the classic text. The emotional impact comes through the vocal delivery of Tennyson's vivid battle imagery. The poem memorializes both the bravery and tragedy of this historical military engagement.
