The Destruction of Sennacherib

Question 1

Who wrote The Destruction of Sennacherib?

Answer 1

Lord Byron

Question 2

When was The Destruction of Sennacherib wrote?

Answer 2

1815

Question 3

What is the meaning?

Answer 3

King Sennacherib’s Assyrian army prepare to attack Jerusalem
“Angel of Death” sent by God to defeat army (calmly kills them before they reach Jerusalem)
Back in city of Ashur, soldier’s windows grieve + idols in temples destroyed

Question 4

What language is shown throughout the poem?

Answer 4

Natural Imagery- poet comparing things to nature (Sennacherib’s violence compared to a wolf, quick defeat compared to change in seasons
Repetition- anaphora highlighting Volta to drive poem forward to create sense of momentum + inevitability

Question 5

What attitudes are shown?

Answer 5

Calm- emphasising the soldiers death
Loss- army killed causing loss of life, final stanza talking about soldier’s widows crying + religious idols destroyed (war ending in pain and destruction)
Power- physical strength of army contrasting w/ calm + superior power of God

Question 6

What form is shown in the poem?

Answer 6

Written in rhyming couplets- driving poem forward + reflecting quick defeat of soldiers
Regular rhythm- sound of galloping horses

Question 7

What structure is shown?

Answer 7

Story told in chronological order- 1st stanza tells glory of army, Volta on line 7 (change in seasons), then on describing soldiers defeat

Question 8

What is the context on the poem?

Answer 8

Based on a bible story from the old testimate
Assyria (kingdom in Middle East)
attempt by Assyrian army to seize Jerusalem (Holy City of Israelites)