Year 10 - English
Understanding the poem 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' by Lord Byron
'Conflict'
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupis explore 12 of the 15 poems from the 'Conflict' anthology. Pupils complete two lessons on each poem: one on understanding and one on analysis. Pupils study the poems in a thematically linked order so they can complete comparative and thematic lessons at key points in the unit.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Lord Byron depicts the destruction of the Assyrian army.
Key Notes
- The poem is based on a biblical depiction of how King Sennacherib and the Assyrian army attempted to invade Jerusalem.
- The Assyrian king was defeated by a divine intervention from God.
- War was a significant concern in Europe at the time Lord Byron wrote the poem.
- Poems which saw God intervene to help the 'good' forces during war were popular during this era.
Vocabulary To Learn
- destruction: causing severe damage or ruining something completely
- divine intervention: direct involvement of a deity in human affairs, often in response to prayer
- Jerusalem: historic city significant to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, located in the Middle East
- morale: mental and emotional state of a group or society, reflecting confidence, enthusiasm and determination
- righteous: morally upright or virtuous; acting in accordance with principles of justice and goodness
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Byron based this poem on a religious conflict which occurred during his lifetime.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The poem is based on a biblical depiction of how King Sennacherib and the Assyrian army attempted to invade Jerusalem. The Assyrian king was defeated by a divine intervention from God.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'destruction'
causing severe damage or ruining something completely.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Byron based this poem on a religious conflict which occurred during his lifetime. Correction: This poem describes a conflict which was described in the Bible, when King Sennacherib and the Assyrian army attempted to attack Jerusalem and were prevented by a divine intervention.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing model answers on Edexcel conflict poetry Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'A Poison Tree' by William Blake Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Belfast Confetti' by Ciaran Carson Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Exposure' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Extract from The Prelude' Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'Half-caste' by John Agard Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'No Problem' by Benjamin Zephaniah Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'The Class Game' by Mary Casey Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'The Destruction of Sennacherib' by Lord Byron Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'The Man He Killed' by Thomas Hardy Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'War Photographer' by Carole Satyamurti Study Guide
- Analysing the poem 'What Were They Like?' by Denise Levertov Study Guide
- Comparing experiences in Owen's 'Exposure' and Satyamurti's 'War Photographer' Study Guide
- Comparing experiences of war in poetry Study Guide
- Comparing how poets convey the hopelessness of war in Edexcel's Conflict poetry Study Guide
- Exploring different types of conflict in Edexcel's Conflict anthology Study Guide
- Exploring the Romantic poets in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology Study Guide
- Planning a written response on Edexcel conflict poetry Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'A Poison Tree' by William Blake Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Belfast Confetti' by Ciaran Carson Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Charge of the Light Brigade' Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Exposure' Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Extract from the Prelude' Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'Half-caste' by John Agard Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'No Problem' by Benjamin Zephaniah Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'The Class Game' by Mary Casey Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'The Man He Killed' by Thomas Hardy Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'War Photographer' by Carole Satyamurti Study Guide
- Understanding the poem 'What Were They Like?' by Denise Levertov Study Guide
- Writing excellent model answers on Edexcel conflict poetry Study Guide
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