Hawk Roosting

Question 1

Context of the poem

Answer 1

• English poet in the 20th century
• He married an American poet who died from suicide - significant impac ton his life and work
• Hughes often used animals as symbols to explore themes of violence, power and survival

Question 2

Summary of the poem

Answer 2

The hawk boasts about its power, believing itself to be the most dominant creature

Enjoys killing in a violent and efficient way

Views itself as superior to nature and even God

Unchallenged in its power, confident that it will remain dominant

Question 3

Form

Answer 3

A dramatic monologue from the perspective of a hawk.

Written in the first person, giving the hawk authority and dominance.

Addressing a silent audience (possibly humanity).

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

End-stopping gives each line a decisive, controlled feel, reflecting the hawk’s absolute power

The poem begins with the hawk in a meditative state

Ends with a confident assertion about the future – maintaining power and control

Question 5

Langauge

Answer 5

Violent imagery – emphasizes the efficiency of the hawk’s kills

Powerful language – asserts control over nature

Rejects deception, favoring brute strength

First-person pronouns establish dominance and superiority

Question 6

Mood

Answer 6

Arrogant and egotistical.

Confident and assured in power.

Sense of inevitability – the hawk believes it will always remain at the top

Underlying irony – it is part of nature and will eventually lose power upon death, but it is unaware of this

Question 7

Key Quotes

Answer 7

I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed

I hold creation in my foot

I kill where I please because it is all mine

Question 8

I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed

Answer 8

• First person makes the hawk dominant and confident
• Top of food chain = heirarchy
• Physically up high - powerful position over the rest of nature
• Stillness shows control - his presence is enoguh power

Question 9

I hold creation in my foot

Answer 9

• Pride - God had to work hard to create the hawk
• Religous imagery - comparing himself to GOd - contorl over life and death
• ‘hold’ implies contol and posession

Question 10

I kill where I please because it is all mine

Answer 10

• Monososyllabic words - confidence and ominance
• Possesive language - tyrannical and entitlement
• Theme of power and moral detachment