Hawk Roosting Flashcards
Intro
In the poem ‘Hawk Roosting’, Hughes presents the Hawk as a dangerous creature who’s ceaseless sovereignty has captivated all of God’s creation.
‘I sit…
in the top of the wood, my eyes closed’
‘hooked…
head and hooked feet’
‘in sleep…
rehearse perfect kills and eat’
‘It took the…
whole of Creation To produce my foot’
‘Now…
I hold creation in my foot’
‘I kill where…
I please because it is all mine’
‘The allotment…
of death’
No…
arguments assert my right’
‘Nothing has…
changed since I began’
‘I am going…
to keep things like this’
Context
This poem caused some controversy when published as some people thought it was an allegory for human nature whilst others perceived it as a criticism of governments and political bodies.
The poem comes from an early volume of poetry called ‘Lupercal’ published in 1960.
Form/Structure
The clearly organised six stanzas reflect the hawk’s control over his life and other lives.
Dashes in Stanza 4 slow down the pace making the hawk seem calm and composed.
First person narrative voice gives the hawk a sense of authority.
