Analysing the poem 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' by Lord Byron
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Lord Byron uses language, form and structure to express his viewpoint.
Key learning points
- The regular rhyming couplets could reflect the rigidity of the army, or could be used as a dramatic storytelling device.
- Byron’s use of sibilance arguably illustrates the power of the Assyrian army.
- The biblical image of the wolf attacking sheep connotes the battle between good and evil.
- Anapestic tetrameter could echo the sound of the forces advancing.
- Byron uses an extended metaphor, comparing the Assyrians to the sea, which could emphasise how the mighty army fell.
Keywords
Predator - an animal that hunts and preys on other animals for food
Stressed syllables - syllables in a word that are emphasised or pronounced with greater force
Anapestic tetrameter - a poetic rhythm consisting of four groups of three syllables (each with two unstressed syllables and then a stressed syllable)
Sibilance - repetition of the hissing sound 's' or 'sh' in nearby words
Couplets - a pair of successive lines of verse, typically rhyming and of the same length
Common misconception
Byron portrays the Assyrians as evil predators because this was what he believed they were like.
Arguably, we can't know Byron's feelings on this matter. It's more likely that he portrays the Assyrians in this way to emphasise the power of God when he is able to easily decimate such a formidable enemy.
Teacher tip
Before you begin learning cycle 1, you could display a picture of a wolf, a sheep and the sea and have students explore the words/phrases they associate with each of these things. Use these suggestions to expand your discussion of Byron's use of imagery and extended metaphor.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of ‘The Destruction of Sennacherib’ by Lord Byron. This can be found in the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In 'The Destruction of Sennacherib', how are the Assyrian army defeated?
Q2.Who or what is Galilee?
Q3.Which of the following is a synonym for the verb 'waxed'?
Q4.What is a rhyme scheme?
Q5.What is the meter of a poem?
Q6.What is sibilance?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these animals is a predator?
Q2.What is a couplet?
Q3.Which two methods does Byron use in the following quote from 'The Destruction of Sennacherib': "the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea"?
Q4.What is anapestic tetrameter?
Q5.In 'The Destruction of Sennacherib', Byron uses an extended metaphor to compare the Assyrian soldiers to which natural feature?
Q6.Byron's use of form and structure in 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' is very focused on...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' by Lord Byron, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing the poem 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' by Lord Byron, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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