Alfred Lord Tennyson was one of the greatest writers of all time. One of his great poems was "The Charge of the Light Brigade"; a poem about the Crimean war. Tennyson creates a theme of war and battle by using repetition, figurative language, and symbolism.
Repetition is an important element of poetry. "Rode the six hundred," shows the importance of soldiers (stanza 1). A small group of soldiers like these must be elite. Only six hundred men of the British army were lucky enough to be part of this special force. "Cannon to right of them, cannon to left of them, cannon in front of them," show the power of the opposition (stanza 3). The repetition is used by Tennyson to reinforce the feeling of action. The repetition is also used to bring the battlefield to life. "Flashed all their sabres bare, Flashed as they turned in air," brings about suspense. The repetition creates suspense by leaving a pause in the poem. The use of the word "flashed" more than once makes it stand out in the poem. Repetition makes poetry more intense and captures the readers attention.
Imagery is another important poetic device that Tennyson uses masterfully in "The Charge of the Light Brigade". "Stormed with shot and shell," shows the bravery of soldiers (stanza 3). This use of vivid vocabulary brings about the feeling of action. It also adds suspense by intrigiung the reader. When Tennyson writes, "Plunged in the battery-smoke," shows courage of the troops (stanza 5). The troops had to be brave to charge into the unknown. These troops were willing to die without fear. "Right thro" the line they broke," shows the victory of the cavalry. Through courage and fearlessness, the troops succeeded in battle. The men were persistent and finally came through. Imagery makes the readers mind dream and envision what is going on, and Tennyson uses it perfectly.
Symbolism is an element of poetry where something may have more than meaning.
