Poet Alfred Tennyson's Charge Of The Light Brigade

The nationalism and patriotism of the British Empire lead to many of the people joining the war and fighting for their Queen. “Your country needs you” was the theme during times of war. from men of all ages to young boys, all lined up to be sent to the trenches. Famous poets and writers, in favor of the war wrote to capture the readers heart and influence them to fight for their country. However, not everyone was supportive of the war, a few poets perused an antiwar message. The poets focused on the unnecessary deaths of soldiers who were forced to go to war; as well as those who survive typically returning injured and unable to function in society. The use of patriotism by those back home, such as Her Majesty's Government where all targeted;

since only they will be benefiting from these battles. Poets like Wilfred Owens who fought in the war and came back to write of the horrible sights he witnessed in Dulce et Decorum Est. As Rudyard Kipling satirically questions the authority of the Queen of England in his poem The Widow at Windsor, as she has the power to send these soldiers to war, only to conquer other nations. Lord Tennyson on the other hand depicted a story of 600 soldiers in The Charge of The Light Brigade who charged into battle with pride and honor; even though they were heroes at the end of the day, was it worth losing all those soldiers?
Wilfred Owens before becoming an antiwar poet fought in World War I, and returned because of a serious illness. When he was first shipped off to France he would write letter back to his mother, describing the hell he was being put through. His famous poem Dulce et Decorum Est depicted a single day on the battlefield, as soldiers marched through the battle grounds, and in and out of flooded trenches. Owens states in his poem “Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod.” (Owens 5-6) and “Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots” (Owens 7). Referring to soldiers as zombies who haven’t slept in days, and covered in blood from the battle. Owens tried to show the war from a soldier’s perspective; revealing to the readers how torn down and exhausted they had become. Owens says “If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer”(Owens 21-23) to not hold back on too much detail on how soldiers were dying. The poet used this tactic to capture the readers and make them sympathize with the countless deaths of young men, as they entered the battle field. The British government played an important role in drafting people into the army. Using nationalism and peer pressure to guilt trip anyone who was not willing to join the army. The poem states “My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie:” (Owens 25-27). Owens refers to the use of glory to influence people to join a lie; a promise of if you fight for your country it’s a glory that must be earned. Owens then proceeds to quote a Latin phrase from Horace “Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. “(Owens 27-28), which translates into its sweet and proper to die for one’s country. Which from what the readers can infer Owens himself didn’t see it that way.
Rudyard Kipling who had not served in the war, but played an important role in propagandas, pamphlets and poetry which were in support of the war. Kipling’s had a passionate disliking to Germany and believed they were not classified as humans. Over time he felt as if the war was being dragged on too long and could have been ended much sooner. With heavy losses of British soldiers, he soon began questioning the British government. In his poem, The Widow and Windsor Kipling says “An' 'er troopers you'll find with a fair wind be'ind That takes us to various wars. (Poor beggars! -- barbarious wars!)” (Kipling 8-10) which translates to warriors saying she sends us to war whenever the Queen pleases, and it’s a brutal battle. Satirically Kipling repeats cheers to the queen and for the army she owns, with the true meaning being the soldiers have no choice, as they are under her rule. As ruler she has the power to start a war anytime; the poem says “Walk wide o' the Widow at Windsor, For 'alf o' Creation she owns”(16-17) to emphasis again the power of the queen; if angered she can start a war. Kipling argued that the British had failed to learn from what happened in the battle during Boer war. The British where over confident and underprepared, which lead to the deaths of many soldiers. The poem says “For the Kings must come down an' the Emperors frown When the Widow at Windsor says "Stop"! (Poor beggars! -- we're sent to say "Stop"!)” (Kipling 23-25). The lines address the words of the queen are to be carried out by the poor soldiers. Kipling’s believed the soldiers where now paying with their lives in France for the World War. The poems says Then 'ere's to the sons o' the Widow, Wherever, 'owever they roam. 'Ere's all they desire, an' if they require A speedy return to their 'ome. (Poor beggars! -- they'll never see 'ome!)” (Kipling 41-45), as Kipling says the Queen sends of her soldiers to do her bidding, and may they return home safely. However, most will die in battle and never come home.
Poet Alfred Tennyson was one of the most popular poets of the Victoria and held the title of Poet Laureate.

He is the only poet in this group who wasn’t alive during World War I. Tennyson’s poem The Charge of the Light Brigade is about a battle against Russian soldiers. It’s hard to see the poem as an antiwar thyme since it emphasis on the bravery of the soldiers, and how the world saw them as marvelous men. However, with a closer look at poem readers can see that it criticizes the higher officials who called for the assault. The poem says “All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. ‘Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!’ he said. Into the valley of Death. . .” (Tennyson 3-7) is the general giving the 600 orders to ride into the valley of death. Being a war poem Tennyson uses biblical references of the valley of death as they walk through with no fear. The poem says “Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.” (Tennyson 13-15) shows the soldiers commitment, they don’t reason why, and they will do it and die. The soldiers will do what they are asked even if it cost them their life, for their queen and country. As the battle progresses Tennyson shows how they were outnumbered and a few made it back, “Stormed at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell. They that had fought so well Came through the jaws of Death,” (Tennyson 43-46). With so many losses the blame can only be shifted to those in command. The general made a call with haste and even though Tennyson didn’t emphasize on it, the readers can see no army is proud of a loss. “Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!” (Tennyson 53-55), the soldiers were heroes; their bravery and strength was acknowledged, even though so many were lost. However, there was no mention of those who sent them to

battle.
Antiwar poets believed in fairness for the soldiers, and questioned the decisions parliament made. Poet Wilfred Owens was a soldier who fought in the war and showed readers the struggles they faced on the battle field. Soldiers either died or returned wounded who saw no compensation except for honor. While Kipling was one for the war, and begun to question authority for delaying and having soldiers die for no reason. He stressed the idea of how powerful the Queen was, to order the army around at will. They were tools for them to use, and not individual humans. Poet Laureate Tennyson shined the light on soldiers who gave their lives to their country. They didn’t question authority, and fought in any odds. However, Tennyson saw as the blame to fall those who thought It was right to send 600 men against thousands. Many people believed it’s their duty to fight for their country; However, it’s a countries right to protect their soldiers and use them with caution.