The destruction of Sennacherib

Question 1

Who wrote ‘ the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 1

Lord Byron

Question 2

When was the destruction of Sennacherib written?

Answer 2

1815

Question 3

What are the main 7 themes in ‘ the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 3

Religion
Power
Death
Life
Futility
Pain
Sovereignty

Question 4

What narrative does Byron take in the destruction of Sennacherib?

Answer 4

A third person objective narrative, creating a sense of reliability. The narrator holds a sympathetic attitude towards the Jews, highlighted by their glorification of god and religious power.

Question 5

Provide context on Lord Byron in the destruction of Sennacherib

Answer 5

Byron was a notorious romantic poet who was frequently involved in public scandals. He often rejected societal convention throughout his life. The Byronic hero archetype was created by Lord Byron.

Question 6

What are the five traits to a Byronic hero

Answer 6

Rejecting of authority
Self destructive
An outsider
Secretive
Sexually attractive

Question 7

Provide context on ‘the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 7

The poem depicts the biblical story of Sennacherib, the king of the Assyria— well known for his military stance. According to the Old Testament’s account, the king attempted a siege on Jerusalem but the angel of death killed the soldiers whilst they were asleep- the Jews then praise this.

Question 8

Analyse x3 the title ‘the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 8

‘Thé - definite article attaches importance to the event, presenting it as historic and significant.
The emotive noun ‘destruction’ highlights biblical magnitude which may heighten the victory of the Jews and conveys God’s power - its connotes complete annihilation.
The singular reference to ‘Sennacherib’ without the title of ‘King’ demonstrates his dislike within society, which immediately makes clear Byron’s bias and sympathetic view of the Jewish people.

Question 9

State the first quote to use from ‘the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 9

‘Thé Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold […] and the sheer of their spears was like stars on the sea’

Question 10

Analyse x3 the first quote ‘the Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold […] and the sheer of their spears was like stars on the sea’

Answer 10

The metaphorical simile ‘like the wolf on the fold’ signifies the assyrians ruthless and aggressive behaviour which is likened to a predator. Definitely article of ‘thé Assyrian demonstrates how known they were in society.
Sibilance is formed by the repeating ‘s’ sounds.
The simile ‘like stars on the sea’ suggests the glistening was something seen as beautiful and not violent, however as a night is only temporary this may change soon.

Question 11

State the second quote to use from the destruction of Sennacherib

Answer 11

‘For the angel of death spread his wings on the blast, and breathed in the face of the foe as he passed’

Question 12

Analyse x3 the second quote ‘for the angel of death spread his wings on the blast and breathed in the face of the foe as he passed’

Answer 12

‘Angel of deaths’ juxtaposes life and death but the angel inflicts destruction as a sign of creation, despite an angel being connoted to light and purity.
The constant plosive sounds of ‘b, p’ increases the angels powerful appearance, presenting it as supernatural and sovereign.
The verb ‘breathed’ suggests the sudden and swift force the angel has- perhaps metaphorically referring to the angel killing then by forcefully gusting them away, deriving they may now be inferior.

Question 13

State the third and final quote to use from ‘the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 13

‘ And the tents were all silent, the banners alone. The lances uplifted, the trumpet unblown’

Question 14

Analyse x3 the third and final quote ‘and the tents were all silent, the banners alone. The lances uplifted, the trumpet unblown’

Answer 14

‘Silent’ ‘alone’ ‘uplifted’ ‘unblown’ all form a semantic field of isolation which creates a pause in the action of the poem, allowing the reader to witness the destruction of the army.
The indefinite article of ‘all’ implies the whole army has been affected.
The Anaphora of the definite article ‘thé suggests that the objects being affected haven’t been used- resulting in no war outbreak.

Question 15

What is the rythme scheme within the destruction of Sennacherib

Answer 15

Regular rythme scheme of AABB, which forms rhyming couplets

Question 16

Explain what the use of the Anaphora ‘and’ delivers in the destruction of Sennacherib

Answer 16

Thé Anaphora of the conjunction ‘and’ is repeated at the start of many verses- echoing the language of the bible which foregrounds the religious theme as the very structure of the poem is a testament to the power of God.

Question 17

What happens to the tone when the ‘and’ is continually repeated in the destruction of Sennacherib?

Answer 17

It also alters the tone and creates the sense of intensity as the events seem to be building on each other. This heightens the readers want to feel the Jewish people’s victory.

Question 18

State a key change in the open ‘the destruction of Sennacherib’

Answer 18

A volta (turn in events) also can be seen when the first 6 verses exemplify the Assyrian power only to be exhausted soon by the angel of death.

Question 19

What poems are best to compare with the destruçtion of Sennacherib?

Answer 19

What were they like, exposure, poppies, the charge of the light brigade.