Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes Flashcards
1
Q
Context
A
- written in 1960
- a poem which has created some misunderstanding in Hughes’ canon.
- it established Hughes’ early reputation and some notoriety.
- reputation for violence in his work.
- Hughes remarked that the hawk sounds like hitler’s familiar to Plath. Plath referred to this in letters to her mother.
2
Q
Subject
A
This is an austere poem about killing. It is a vision of the complete insanity of power.
3
Q
Form and Structure
A
Form
- Strong narrative presence in the poem.
- Dramatic monologue delivered by a megalomaniac
Structure
- Structure of the poem highlights the bird’s delusion:
- The short, stabbing syntax and frequent use of spondees produces a language of manic certitude in the monologue.
4
Q
Language Techniques
A
Imagery,
“Between my hooked head and hooked feet”
Language -The hawk is unlike a human, “There is no sophistry in my body: My manners are tearing off heads-“ droid of consciousness
-“No arguments assert my right”
killing by instinct-no guilt
-“I am going to keep things like this.”
The hawk glorifying in what it is, a killer.
Delusion that he is God.
Dramatic double-take effect like thought fox.
5
Q
Mood
A
Intense