Whether it is a parent, a teacher or a coach, all who lead trust in their own wisdom, even if deep down their instincts say to don't do it. This is exactly what the six hundred did. They had been trained to follow orders and that their leader was in that position of authority for a good reason, just as a child or student would be with their parents and teachers. Furthermore, when Tennyson mentions cannon fire in all directions, it symbolizes the difficulties people face in life. The first time these lines are spoken it reads "Cannon before them", in line 20 compared to the second time it reads "Cannon behind them". The first instance means that whatever the problem is, it will be addressed no matter what. “Cannon Behind them” shows that whatever the difficulty was, it is now behind or “behind” the reader. These two quotes are not close to each other for a good reason; represents that honorable things are not easy. Not all of the six hundred survived the battle, but those who fought hard and intelligently managed to leave the cannons behind and emerge from the tribulation a new, stronger, and wiser person; just like when, in today's society, you overcome any challenge you face