” In the poem ‘ Charge of the Light Brigade ‘ although all the soldiers were very brave a lot of them had to sacrifice their lives due to incompetent leadership. ” Critically comment on this statement referring to the poem.
The poem ‘ Charge of the Light Brigade ‘ is a war poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It is based on the Crimean war which the British soldiers fought against Russians. The British soldiers had to fight with light weapons while the enemies had heavy weapons. It was a blunder because the British Soldiers had to go to enemies’ land with only light weapons. The commanders never thought about the soldiers but only about their glory.
The soldiers of the Light Brigade were very obedient , loyal & brave because they knew they were moving to their graves. They knew their commander’s command was a wrong one but not even one soldier dismayed.
” Was there a man dismayed
Not though the soldiers knew
Someone had blundered ”
They didn’t try to question. They were very obedient to their military rule. They were loyal to their commander although all the soldiers knew they can’t win after fighting against heavy weapons. But they were very brave.
” Their’s not to make reply
Their ‘s not to reason why
Their’s but to do and die ”
Though they were disadvantaged in the battlefield they fought for their country. They were very brave and finally they won the battle. But there wasn’t most of the soldiers who came to the battlefield when they rode back. They had sacrificed their lives for their country & for their loyalty.
” Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred ”
Though the soldiers were this much brave the commander’s were wrong.
The commander gave a wrong command to the British soldiers, though he knew they can’t fight against heavy weapons with only sabres. But he was so proud to confess that he was wrong.
” Forward, the Light Brigade
Charge for the guns, he said ”
The military rule was very much cruel. The soldiers could not question according to the military rule. If the commander had thought a little about soldiers he wouldn’t have done such a crime. But it was not a matter to him. Because they were only soldiers but he was a leader. That was where he had done a mistake. He should have thought a little more about the soldiers because he also knew that his command leads so many soldiers to their death. But the leadership is incompetent.
So because of the wrong command given by the commander the British soldiers had to die. They were very brave & couragous. And they are suitable to be honoured by people.
” When can their glory fade ?
O the wild charge they made ”
They are immortal in people’s hearts forever.
In this poem the poet critisizes the wrong command given by the commander. He criticizes the battle & the bad results caused by war. But he admires the bravery & obedience of the Light Brigade. So I can agree with the statement that although all the soldiers were brave a lot of had to sacrifice their lives due to incompetent leadership.