the soliders in "the charge of the light brigade" realize someone had blundered. Why do they still go into battle?
This stanza told why the soldiers went into battle. Remember that soldiers have always been taught to obey orders.
""Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred."
that is what i thought thank you
You're welcome.
In "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the soldiers go into battle despite realizing that someone had made a mistake or blundered. This decision can be understood by considering the context and motivations of the soldiers.
To fully comprehend why they still proceeded with the charge, let's first analyze the historical background of the poem. "The Charge of the Light Brigade" describes the infamous charge made by the British Light Cavalry Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War (1854-1856). The blunder in this case was an incorrect order that sent the Light Brigade charging into a heavily fortified Russian position, essentially leading them into a suicide mission.
Although the soldiers in the poem were aware of the mistake, they continued with the charge primarily due to their sense of duty, obedience, and loyalty. The military culture of the time emphasized unquestioning obedience to orders. Disobeying or questioning orders, especially during battle, was seen as a serious offense and could result in severe consequences.
Additionally, the soldiers may have felt a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty towards their comrades and leaders. They fought together as a unit and had a collective sense of honor and pride. Abandoning the charge might have been perceived as cowardice or a betrayal of their fellow soldiers.
Furthermore, the poem also highlights the extreme pressure and adrenaline of battle. In the midst of the chaos and the intensity of the moment, it is plausible that the soldiers did not have the time or clarity of mind to fully comprehend the blunder being made.
In summary, while the soldiers in "The Charge of the Light Brigade" recognized that someone had blundered, they went into battle due to a combination of duty, loyalty, military culture, esprit de corps, and the overwhelming circumstances of the battlefield. It is crucial to understand the historical context and the psychology of soldiers to grasp their motivations in such challenging situations.