22 pages • 44 minutes read
The Charge of the Light Brigade
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Background
Literary Context
At the height of his fame, Tennyson was regarded as an eminent Victorian poet. He was noted for his poetic diversity, writing long narratives like The Idylls of the King (1892), ballads like “The Lady of Shallot” (1842), and short lyrics like “The Charge of the Light Brigade” (1854). His most famous poem during his lifetime was his elegy to his friend Arthur Henry Hallam, In Memoriam A. H. H. (1850), which includes several famous lines, including “Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all” (Canto 27, Lines 15-16). This poem brought comfort to many Victorians dealing with death and loss, including Queen Victoria. Many of Tennyson’s political works were written during the period of his tenure as poet laureate, in his official capacity, including “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” However, the poets of subsequent eras did not particularly value Tennyson. They regarded him as a part of previous generations that condoned more conservative values. For them, he was outdated, too married to rhyme and meter, too sentimental, and/or too likely to glorify war or patriarchal convention. Since then, however, he has been given a more balanced view by poets and critics. He is admired for his powerful elegies, his criticism of Victorian values, his use of musical sound and cadence, and for his awareness of the hope, beauty, and heartbreak of life.
Historical Context: The Battle of Balaclava
In 1853-1856, British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish forces battled with Russia for control of Crimea’s major port, Sevastopol, since Russian occupation would adversely affect trade. The British commander, Lord Raglan, chose the southern port of Balaclava as his base despite its vulnerabilities. Balaclava was situated below a narrow ridge between two valleys, leaving it open for attack from above. The Russians, determined to capture Balaclava, began their assault in October 25,1854. Raglan ordered the Heavy Brigade to defend the base. Despite being grossly outnumbered, they managed to charge uphill and cause the Russians to retreat.
In the meantime, Raglan was concerned that abandoned guns on the ridge would be reclaimed by the Russians, so he sent word via Officer Louis Nolan that the Light Brigade should retrieve them. Unfortunately, the commanders, Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan, were unclear as to which guns to retrieve and sent the Light Brigade into the heavily defended valley to retrieve guns on the other end. Armed only with sabers, the Light Brigade was no match for the heavy artillery and cannon fire used by the Russians. While they did manage to break the Russian line and scatter some of the gunners, the cost was exorbitant. The battle ended in a stalemate, and the war continued until the Russians agreed to peace talks two years later in 1856. The alliances formed during the Crimean War would set the stage later for World War I (1914-1918).
The Charge of the Light Brigade is considered one of the most catastrophic military disasters, due to its miscommunication and senseless loss of life. It is remembered mainly because of Tennyson’s poem and the service of Florence Nightingale’s nurses. The Crimean War was also among the first wars to be covered by an assigned correspondent, William Howard Russell. Russell’s reporting, including his notation of the “hideous blunder” (See: Further Reading & Resources), inspired Tennyson to write his poem as well as turned the British public against the pro-war administration of the British Prime Minister, Lord Aberdeen.
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By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
