Plot Summary (AQA A-Level English Literature A): Revision Notes
Plot summary
Overview and setting
Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth series in the Blackadder television franchise, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. This British black comedy sitcom is set in 1917 during World War I, specifically on the Western Front trenches. The series uses humour to explore the harsh realities of trench warfare whilst offering sharp social commentary on military leadership and class divisions.
Black comedy is a genre that uses humour to address serious, disturbing, or taboo subjects. In this case, the horrors of WWI are presented through comedic situations and witty dialogue, allowing the writers to critique war whilst entertaining audiences.
The Western Front was the main theatre of war during WWI, stretching from the Belgian coast through northeastern France. By 1917, the war had been raging for three years, with millions of casualties resulting from the brutal stalemate of trench warfare. This historical context is essential for understanding the series' satirical edge and the desperation of Blackadder's attempts to avoid combat.
Main characters
The series centres on three principal characters who form a clear military hierarchy:
Captain Edmund Blackadder
The central protagonist is a cunning and self-interested officer who desperately seeks to avoid the planned 'big push' offensive—a major military attack that he recognises as suicidal. Unlike the patriotic enthusiasm shown by others, Blackadder displays cynicism about the war and prioritises his own survival above all else. His character represents those who understood the futility of WWI's tactics.
Lieutenant George St Barleigh
George serves as Blackadder's optimistic and innocent subordinate. His naive idealism creates a stark contrast with Blackadder's cynicism. George genuinely believes in the glory of war and maintains enthusiasm despite the grim reality surrounding them. This character embodies the patriotic propaganda many young men absorbed before experiencing combat.
Private Baldrick
Baldrick is Blackadder's servant, characterised as simple-minded but devoted. His loyalty never wavers, even when faced with Blackadder's constant put-downs and the terrible conditions of trench life. Despite his limited intelligence, Baldrick often provides comic relief through his misunderstandings and bungled attempts to help.
These three characters form a microcosm of British society—the educated middle-class officer (Blackadder), the upper-class volunteer (George), and the working-class servant (Baldrick). Their interactions reveal the class tensions and social divisions that persisted even in the trenches, where death made no such distinctions.
Central conflict and plot development
The overarching narrative follows Blackadder's continuous attempts to escape frontline duty and avoid participation in the looming offensive. His schemes vary throughout the series and include:
- Pretending to suffer from madness or illness
- Attempting to secure a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps
- Devising elaborate plans to leave the trenches
Each episode typically presents a new scheme, which ultimately fails due to unfortunate circumstances or military bureaucracy. This repetitive structure emphasises the inescapable nature of the soldiers' predicament and the futility of trying to avoid their fate.
The repetitive failure of Blackadder's escape attempts is not merely a comedic device—it reflects the historical reality that ordinary soldiers had no escape from the trenches. Desertion meant execution, and there were few legitimate ways to leave the front lines. This structure makes the audience complicit in Blackadder's desperation, as we too hope each scheme will succeed, knowing it cannot.
Recurring characters and authority figures
General Melchett
General Melchett represents the incompetent and out-of-touch military leadership. He is portrayed as loud, absurd, and completely disconnected from the reality his men face. His character satirises the upper-class officers who planned offensives from comfortable headquarters, far removed from the trenches where their orders resulted in massive casualties.
Captain Darling
Darling serves as Melchett's sycophantic aide—an obsequious assistant who rarely questions his superior's decisions. Interestingly, he frequently opposes Blackadder, creating additional obstacles to the protagonist's escape plans. Despite his safe position away from the front lines, Darling shares Blackadder's fear of combat, making him a complex character who reveals the cowardice present at various levels of command.
Captain Darling's name itself is a form of satire—whilst "darling" was a common term of endearment used by General Melchett's generation, it also becomes a source of mockery, undermining any authority the character might otherwise possess. This naming choice exemplifies the series' multi-layered approach to comedy and criticism.
Satirical themes and techniques
The series masterfully combines pointed criticism of military incompetence with observations about class privilege. Through its comedy, the show exposes:
- The disconnect between officers and the realities of trench warfare
- The privilege enjoyed by upper-class commanders whilst working-class soldiers suffered
- The absurdity of military bureaucracy that prevented common sense from prevailing
- The waste of human life caused by incompetent strategic planning
The writers employ both slapstick (physical comedy involving exaggerated actions and mishaps) and sophisticated wordplay (clever use of puns, double meanings, and verbal wit) to deliver their satirical message. This combination ensures the humour works on multiple levels, making it accessible whilst maintaining intellectual depth.
Understanding the Dual Function of Comedy
The comedy in Blackadder Goes Forth serves two essential purposes simultaneously. First, it makes the subject matter accessible—allowing audiences to engage with the traumatic history of WWI without being overwhelmed by its horrors. Second, it delivers sharp criticism that might be dismissed if presented seriously. By making us laugh at the absurdity of military incompetence, the series ensures we remember and question it. This is the power of satire: humour as a weapon against injustice and a shield against forgetting.
The final episode and conclusion
Despite every attempt throughout the series to avoid combat, the final episode brings the inevitable conclusion. Blackadder and his comrades receive orders to go 'over the top'—military terminology for leaving the trenches to attack across No Man's Land.
The series concludes with a profoundly moving and quiet final scene showing the men advancing into the fog of war. This silent shot represents a dramatic tonal shift, abandoning comedy entirely to acknowledge the genuine tragedy and futility that characterised WWI. The absence of dialogue or humour in these final moments creates a powerful emotional impact, forcing viewers to confront the reality beneath the comedy they've enjoyed throughout the series.
This ending transforms the series from pure comedy into something more complex—a meditation on waste, sacrifice, and the human cost of military incompetence. The fog they disappear into symbolises both the literal smoke of battle and the historical obscurity into which millions of soldiers vanished during the war.
The Significance of the Final Scene
The final scene's shift from comedy to silence is one of television's most powerful moments. After six episodes of laughter, the abrupt removal of humour forces viewers to confront what they've been laughing about: real men who died in futile attacks. The slow-motion fade into poppies (symbols of remembrance) transforms the series from entertainment into memorial. This moment asks viewers to carry the memory of these soldiers and the lessons of their sacrifice, ensuring that the laughter never obscures the genuine tragedy beneath.
Exam tips
Exam Analysis Guidelines
When analysing Blackadder Goes Forth for your examination:
- Consider how comedy serves as a vehicle for serious social criticism
- Explore the contrast between different character types and what they represent
- Examine how the final episode's tonal shift affects your interpretation of the entire series
- Discuss the balance between entertainment and memorial—how does the text honour those who died whilst critiquing those responsible?
- Think about the contemporary relevance when the series was broadcast (1989) and what it might have meant to audiences then
Remember!
Key Takeaways
- Blackadder Goes Forth is set on the Western Front in 1917, using black comedy to explore WWI
- The central conflict involves Captain Blackadder's attempts to avoid a suicidal military offensive through various failed schemes
- Main characters represent different attitudes: Blackadder's cynicism, George's naive patriotism, and Baldrick's simple loyalty
- The series satirises military incompetence and class privilege through both slapstick and sophisticated wordplay
- The final episode ends with a powerful tonal shift—a silent, poignant scene that underscores the tragedy and futility beneath the comedy, transforming the series into a memorial for those lost in WWI