Analysis of Lord Byron's The Destruction of Sennacherib
The poem presents a dramatic retelling of the biblical account where God intervenes to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrian invasion. Through masterful poetic techniques and vivid imagery, Byron creates a powerful narrative of divine justice and military hubris.
Definition: Quatrains are four-line stanzas that Byron uses to structure the poem, creating a rhythmic pattern that mirrors the military's march.
Example: The opening lines "The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold" establishes the predatory nature of the invading force through animal imagery.
Vocabulary:
- Cohorts: military units
- Strown: archaic form of "strewn"
- Waxed: grew or became
- Gentile: non-Jewish people
Highlight: The poem's structure employs rhyming couplets (aabb pattern) and repetitive use of "And" at the beginning of lines to create a forward momentum.
Quote: "And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,/Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord" demonstrates God's effortless victory over the mighty army.
The poem's imagery transitions from the magnificent appearance of the Assyrian army in "purple and gold" to their swift destruction, emphasizing the contrast between earthly power and divine authority. Natural imagery, including references to leaves, waves, and snow, reinforces the theme of God's supreme power over nature and mankind.
