Concerning His Poems, Alfred Lord Tennyson’S Work Relies

Concerning his poems, Alfred Lord Tennyson’s work relies on an extensive thematic scheme. In Tennyson’s poem, â€Å"The Charge of the Light Brigade†, a number of themes are present including heroism, honor, patriotism, and loyalty. Put together, Tennyson tells the story of a cavalry brigade facing their destiny head on. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem â€Å"The Charge of the Light Brigade† tells the story of a cavalry battle that took place during the Crimean War. The poem begins by throwing the audience directly into the heat of battle. Midway through the first stanza, Tennyson states that â€Å"Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns! [H]e said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred† (lines 5-8). In the second stanza, the phrase â€Å"Someone†¦show more content†¦To be a patriot means to show extreme support for ones cause or ideas. In stanzas two and three, Tennyson makes it clear that the men are patriots by stating that â€Å"Theirs not to reason why, [t]heirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred†¦Stormed at with shot and shell, [b]oldly they rode and well, [i]nto the jaws of Death, [i]nto the mouth of hell [r]ode the six hundred† (Tennyson 13-15, 22-26). The fact that the soldiers marched onto the battlefield wi thout a second thought â€Å"†¦knowing all the while that they will pay with their lives for their heroism† (Mazzeno) shows a great deal of patriotism. Even though the men knew they were charging into their almost certain death, they kept marching. They believed their cause was more important than their own lives. Additionally, the next theme present is loyalty. Upon receiving the order to attack it can be assumed that the soldiers knew they were marching towards their deaths. Stephanie Markovits wrote and articles that states that â€Å"†¦seven hundred British cavalry proceed at a rapid pace, and in perfect order, to certain destruction† (Markovits 12). With this in mind one can only imagine the thoughts running through these men’s heads. It can be inferred that at least one of the six hundred thought about turning and running. Or one that thought about disobeying orders. But not a one did such a thing. The cavalry continued to march in perfect unison to meet their destiny face