Instead of distancing the animals from the humans, he likens them. The cry of the wild bird is similar to the people who "hid their eyes and wept- (25), just as the tame beasts are like the humans who become resigned to their death and smile. Perhaps Byron is expressing that, in death, humans and animals are not as different as they appear. Both are capable of fear and are susceptible to the same mortality.
However, Byron distances the animal most likened to humans, the dog. He describes how the dogs "assail'd their masters."" (47) It is interesting how he chose the most domesticated animal to portray as the most savage. To contrast the species in general, Byron examines one dog in particular, that "was faithful to a corse, and kept/The birds and beasts and famish'd men at bay.""(48-49) While earlier in the poem Byron relates animals and humans through fear of death, with these lines he likens them through savagery, then singles out one unique being. In this description, the dog is more human-like than the other animals, and even the other humans. Although his master is dead, the dog still stays by his side, and "himself sought out no food."" (51) Through the vivid description of the hunger of the birds, beasts, and men, it can be implied that this dog must be famished as well, yet he remains loyal to one person.
This dog could be seen as a Christ-figure, who remains dedicated to his master despite the threats of others and of his own hunger. Christ spent days upon the cross, dying slowly, in order to save the people that he loved. He was constantly attacked by others, yet remained steadfast in his beliefs. When the dog finally died, his master "answered not with a caress,"" (54) and he died alone, just as Jesus did. This is not to say that Byron views the dog as Christ reincarnated. However, through giving the dog Christ-like qualities, he gives a sense of hope in a poem that is primarily concerned with the horribleness of the destruction of earth.
