THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE DRAMA THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

The Charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Crimean War on October 25, 1854. Through a miscommunication, the Light Brigade of approximately 600 horsemen began a headlong charge into a treeless valley with the objective of capturing some Russian field artillery at its end. Unbeknown to them, the valley was ringed on three sides by some 20 battalions of Russian infantry and artillery.

The result was disastrous. An estimated 278 of the Light Brigade were killed or wounded. Observing the charge, a French Marshall remarked: "It is magnificent, but it is not war. It is madness." When news of the action reached London, it caused a national scandal that prompted Alfred, Lord Tennyson, to write his poem. The Light Brigade is an example of the extraordinary bravery of the British soldier in the face of enemy fire in spite of poor leadership.

Assessment 1: Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gbZzLYCwlk# Divide into seven groups – one for each stanza – and decide how best to present your stanza in an appropriately dramatic way. As you read through the poem, use your imagination to picture the chaos of the battle and feel the bravery and fear of the soldiers in each line of poetry. Use pace, pause, pitch and volume to deliver your lines (individually or collectively) to recreate the scene. The goal is to make your audience experience the horror of the Charge through your presentation.

Glossary League: Dismay’d: Blunder’d: Volley’d and thunder’d: Sabres: Equivalent of 5.5km Dismay’d: Concern and distress caused by something unexpected Blunder’d: Made a stupid or careless mistake Volley’d and thunder’d: Sound of the canons Sabres: Swords Plunged: Pushed or thrust quickly Battery-smoke: Smoke from the canons Reel’d: To lose one's balance and stagger or lurch violently Sunder’d: Split apart