The Destruction of Sennacherib (Lord Byron)

The Destruction of Sennacherib by Lord Byron is a narrative poem that recounts the biblical story of the Assyrian king Sennacherib's campaign against Jerusalem. The poem describes how the Assyrian army, led by Sennacherib, lay siege to Jerusalem, threatening its destruction. However, in a miraculous turn of events, the angel of death descends upon the Assyrian camp, causing chaos and devastation. By morning, the Assyrian army lies decimated, and Sennacherib's forces are defeated, showcasing the power of divine intervention and the triumph of good over evil. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

The Destruction of Sennacherib by Lord Byron

The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,

And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;

And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,

When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,

That host with their banners at sunset were seen:

Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,

That host on the morrow lay wither’d and strown.

For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,

And breathed in the face of the foe as he pass’d;

And the eyes of the sleepers wax’d deadly and chill,

And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!

And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,

But through it there roll’d not the breath of his pride:

And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,

And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

And there lay the rider distorted and pale,

With the dew on his brow and the rust on his mail;

And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,

The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,

And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;

And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,

Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!

Analysis:

Title and Biblical Allusion:

The title "The Destruction of Sennacherib" immediately draws attention to the central event of the poem: the downfall of the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Byron draws on biblical imagery and allusion to retell the story from the Old Testament book of II Kings.

Structure and Form:

"The Destruction of Sennacherib" is written in quatrains with a regular rhyme scheme (AABB), creating a sense of rhythm and structure. The use of regular meter and rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's narrative flow and dramatic impact.

Language and Tone:

Byron employs vivid language and imagery to evoke the chaos and devastation of the Assyrian army's defeat. The tone of the poem is epic and grandiose, with Byron's use of elevated language and biblical imagery adding to the sense of drama and spectacle.

Imagery and Symbolism:

The poem is rich in imagery, particularly in its depiction of the angel of death descending upon the Assyrian camp. Byron's use of vivid imagery, such as "the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast," conveys the magnitude and power of divine intervention.

Themes:

Power and hubris: The poem explores the theme of power and hubris, as Sennacherib's arrogance leads to his downfall.

Divine intervention: Byron highlights the theme of divine intervention, showcasing the power of God to protect and defend his people.

Triumph of good over evil: The poem celebrates the triumph of good over evil, as the Assyrian army is defeated and Jerusalem is saved from destruction.

Key Quotes:

"The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,"

"And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;"

"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,"

"And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;"

Conclusion:

The Destruction of Sennacherib by Lord Byron is a dramatic retelling of the biblical story of Sennacherib's campaign against Jerusalem. Through vivid imagery and biblical allusion, Byron conveys the chaos and devastation of the Assyrian army's defeat, showcasing the power of divine intervention and the triumph of good over evil. The poem's inclusion in the Edexcel GCSE English Literature Conflict Poetry Anthology provides students with an opportunity to explore themes of power, divine intervention, and the triumph of good over evil in literature.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Conflict Poetry Anthology Poems here.