destructionofsennacherib


 * __[[image:sennacherib_louvre.jpg align="right" caption="Sennacherib"]]The Destruction of Sennacherib - Lord Byron__**

Byron's poem describes a biblical battle. Assyria was an ancient empire in Mesopotamia, roughly where modern-day Iraq is now. Sennacherib sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah, the King of Judah, who did not want to give in and be ruled by the Assyrians. He spread Sennacherib's letter out in the temple in Jerusalem. Later that night, Isaiah, a prophet, relayed the Lord's encouraging message that his 'Angel of Death' had visited Sennacherib's forces. The story is in the Bible at 2 Kings 19:20-34.


 * __Content and Theme__**

1) How does the first stanza suggest the power of the Assyrian army?

2) What happens to them overnight? (stanza 2)

3) Who is responsible for their destruction?


 * __Imagery__**

4) One of the main devices used in this poem is the simile. Examine the following similes and explain why they are effective. Write out your explanations after writing the simile:
 * like leaves on the forest when Summer is green.
 * like stars on the sea
 * like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown
 * and cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf
 * like snow


 * __Language__**

5) Find three examples of alliteration in the poem and explain the effect in each case.


 * Structure**

6) What is the effect of the repetition of 'and' at the beginning of lines?

7) Do you think the rhythm and rhyme scheme are appropriate to the theme?


 * __Extension Question:__**

Looking back over the imagery and language of the poem, for example 'chill', 'gasping', 'distorted', would you say that it is a poem that glamorises war?