POETRY | The Destruction of Sennacherib

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

• Assyrian King, Sennacherib, known for military prowess.
• Assyrian King attempts siege on Jerusalem according to the Old Testament
• Judah’s king prays to God for help.
• Angel kills soldiers, declaring Jews victorious.

Question 2

Form

Answer 2

• Uses anapestic tetrameter, alternating two unstressed syllables with a stressed syllable.
• Repeated four times in every verse, creating a total of twelve syllables per verse.
• Emphasizes the melodic nature of poetry, similar to rhyme schemes.
• Increases pace to focus on God’s glory, not sympathy for fallen soldiers.
• Mimics horse’s hooves sound, adding to war-like atmosphere.
• Creates impression of advancing forces, establishing a sense of constant threat.
• Reflects soldiers’ feelings, causing anticipation of climactic victory and celebration.

Question 3

Language

Answer 3

• Alliteration alters mood and atmosphere.
• Sibilance in opening stanza spotlights sinister intentions of Assyrian Army.
• Repeated long ‘h’ sound in ‘hearts but once heaved’ describes soldiers’ death.
• Trochaic meter emphasizes words ‘hearts’ and ‘heaved’, focusing reader on phrase.
• Caesura follows phrase, pauses and reflection.
• Interrupted rhythm of poem may highlight divine power.

Question 3

Structure 1

Answer 3

Byron’s Poetic Analysis
* The poem’s first six stanzas highlight the Assyrian army’s power.
* In the seventh verse, a volta is used to disrupt this majesty, comparing the army to autumn leaves.
* The volta divides the poem into two sections: the first six lines exploring Assyrian power, and the subsequent eighteen lines demonstrating God’s power.
* The more lines indicating God’s power, the stronger the idea of omnipotence and religious supremacy over the Assyrians.

Question 4

Language 2

Answer 4

Byron’s Caesura Techniques in Poetics
* Uses caesura multiple times to create effect.
* Creates pauses after defeat words: “silent” and “unlifted” to reflect Assyrian camps’ isolation.
* Repeats technique in final stanza: “the might of the Gentile” to appreciate Jewish victory.
* Reflects on the uncertainty and unpredictability of conflict.