Analysing the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade'
I can explore how Tennyson uses language and structure to powerfully express his messages about conflict.
Analysing the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade'
I can explore how Tennyson uses language and structure to powerfully express his messages about conflict.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
''Honour the Light Brigade''
The last stanza and ballad form
“While horse and hero fell’’