Summary:
“The Destruction of Sennacherib” is a narrative poem by Lord Byron, first published in 1815. The poem is based on the biblical story from 2 Kings 18-19, which describes how the Assyrian King Sennacherib attacked Jerusalem but was miraculously defeated when an angel of God struck down his army overnight.
Byron uses vivid imagery, strong rhythm, and powerful contrasts to depict the sudden downfall of the mighty Assyrian forces. The poem’s anapestic meter gives it a galloping rhythm, resembling the march of an army. Byron portrays the Assyrians as strong and confident, but they are unexpectedly defeated in a divine act of justice. The poem emphasizes the power of God, the temporary nature of human strength, and the mystery of divine intervention.
MCQs:
- What is the main theme of The Destruction of Sennacherib?
A) The power of love
B) The fragility of human power against divine will
C) The struggle between good and evil
D) The horrors of war
Answer: B) The fragility of human power against divine will - Who wrote The Destruction of Sennacherib?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Percy Bysshe Shelley
C) Lord Byron
D) John Keats
Answer: C) Lord Byron - What historical/biblical event does the poem describe?
A) The crucifixion of Jesus
B) The destruction of the Tower of Babel
C) The defeat of the Assyrian army by an angel of God
D) The exodus of the Israelites from Egypt
Answer: C) The defeat of the Assyrian army by an angel of God
The Destruction of Sennacherib - Which poetic meter is used in the poem?
A) Iambic pentameter
B) Anapestic tetrameter
C) Trochaic hexameter
D) Free verse
Answer: B) Anapestic tetrameter - What does Byron compare the Assyrian army to?
A) A roaring lion
B) A fallen star
C) The waves of the ocean
D) The leaves of autumn
Answer: D) The leaves of autumn - How does the Assyrian army perish?
A) They are defeated in battle
B) They are drowned in a flood
C) An angel of God strikes them down overnight
D) A great earthquake destroys them
Answer: C) An angel of God strikes them down overnight - What is the tone of the poem?
A) Hopeful and uplifting
B) Joyful and celebratory
C) Dramatic and powerful
D) Melancholic and sorrowful
Answer: C) Dramatic and powerful - What does the phrase “Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green” symbolize?
A) The strength and abundance of the Assyrian army
B) The wisdom of King Sennacherib
C) The weakness of the Israelites
D) The rebirth of nature
Answer: A) The strength and abundance of the Assyrian army - Which book of the Bible serves as the inspiration for the poem?
A) Genesis
B) Psalms
C) 2 Kings
D) Revelation
Answer: C) 2 Kings - What literary device is commonly used throughout the poem?
A) Hyperbole
B) Onomatopoeia
C) Simile
D) Metaphor
Answer: C) Simile
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Destruction of Sennacherib |
| Author | Lord Byron |
| Year Published | 1815 |
| Poem Type | Narrative Poetry |
| Poetic Meter | Anapestic Tetrameter |
| Main Themes | Divine Power, The Fall of Human Strength, Fate |
| Biblical Reference | 2 Kings 18-19 |
| Symbolism | Nature imagery to describe power and destruction |
| Literary Devices | Similes, Strong Imagery, Contrast |
| Writing Style | Dramatic, Rhythmic, Visual |
| Impact | One of Byron’s famous biblical-themed poems |