Hawk Roosting Flashcards
What is it about
Written from the point of view of a hawk as he sits at the top of a wood
What are the themes
Nature Death Survival Power Ambition
What is the structure
Each stanza talks about a different aspect of the hawk. Quite monosyllabic- blunt/ not refunded. Six four line stanzas. Unchanging like the hawk is unchanging
“I sit in the top of the wood”
First person shows the hawk is self important. Literal and metaphoric
“Rehearse perfect kills and eat”
Always thinking about death- but for the hawk it just works in harmony with nature food.
“Now I hold creation in my foot”
It kills other creatures of God- is this right or just nature?
“I kill where I please”
Enjoys killing. Does what it wants
“The allotment of death”
Dealing out. Decides what lives and dies.
Shows the darker and more brutal side of nature
“I am going to keep things like this”
Doesn’t want it’s power to change. Likes being in control- dominant
What are the different stanzas about
1) sat a sleep
2) flying
3) feet
4) killing
5) killing
6) watching
Who is the poet
Ted Hughes
