Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

20th century. Male. British poet Laureate until his death in 1998. Grew up in nature in Yorkshire. Nature can be brutal, the hawk is just doing what it’s evolved to do. Allegory for human nature and a commentary on power

Question 2

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

Answer 2

This opening establishes the hawk’s position of dominance. Sitting at the too of the wood symbolises its superiority over the natural world. The fact that its “eyes” are “closed” suggests the supreme confidence and control- it does not need to be alert because it fears no threat

Question 3

It took the whole Creation/ To produce my foot, my each feather

Answer 3

The hawk views itself as the pinnacle of evolution. It exhibits arrogance and a sense of self importance, suggesting that nature’s entire purpose was to create such a perfect predator. This highlights the theme of egotism and power while reflecting a broader commentary on humanity’s own self centred perspective on nature

Question 4

Now I hold Creation in my foot

Answer 4

This line underscores the hawks god like perception of itself. The word”creation” implies it sees itself as the master of life and death, reflecting its dominance over the natural world. The hawk’s talon becomes a symbol of control and violence, emphasising the poem’s exploration of power dynamics

Question 5

The convenience of the high trees!/ The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s ray/ Are of advantage to me

Answer 5

Here, the hawk views the natural world as existing solely for its benefit. This anthropocentric attitude reveals the hawk’s narcissism and entitlement, mirroring how humans often exploit nature for their own gain. It also reinforces the hawk’s perspective of the world as a hierarchy in which it reigns supreme.

Question 6

I kill where I please because it is all mine.

Answer 6

This line starkly illustrates the hawk’s unapologetic brutality and sense of ownership over everything around it. The use of “kill” emphasizes the hawk’s predatory nature, and “it is all mine” conveys its unquestioned domination. The hawk’s lack of moral conflict reflects the raw violence of nature, stripped of human notions of ethics.

Question 7

The allotment of death.

Answer 7

This phrase captures the hawk’s role as an arbiter of life and death. It portrays death as an inevitable, natural process, with the hawk as its executor. The use of “allotment” suggests an ordered, almost bureaucratic approach to killing, which further emphasizes the hawk’s cold detachment and power.

Question 8

Nothing has changed since I began. / My eye has permitted no change.

Answer 8

The hawk views itself as eternal and unchanging, an embodiment of perpetual control. Its “eye” symbolizes both its predatory focus and its authoritarian oversight of the world. This reflects the hawk’s resistance to change and its belief in the permanence of its dominance, which could be read as a critique of power structures that resist evolution or reform.

Question 9

Nothing has changed since I began. / My eye has permitted no change.

Answer 9

The hawk views itself as eternal and unchanging, an embodiment of perpetual control. Its “eye” symbolizes both its predatory focus and its authoritarian oversight of the world. This reflects the hawk’s resistance to change and its belief in the permanence of its dominance, which could be read as a critique of power structures that resist evolution or reform.

Question 10

I am going to keep things like this.

Answer 10

The poem concludes with an assertion of unyielding power. The hawk’s determination to maintain the status quo emphasizes its refusal to acknowledge the inevitability of change. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the arrogance of rulers or systems that seek to preserve their power indefinitely.

Question 11

Themes

Answer 11

Power and control
Nature’s brutality
Hubris and arrogance
Stasis and resistance to change

Question 12

Power and control

Answer 12

The hawk embodies absolute power, exerting control over life and death in a way that mirrors authoritarian rule or unchecked dominance.

Question 13

Nature’s brutality

Answer 13

The poem strips away romanticized notions of nature, instead presenting it as a space governed by predatory instincts and survival of the fittest.

Question 14

Hubris and arrogance

Answer 14

The hawk’s self-assured tone and belief in its perfection reflect a critique of hubris, whether in individuals or societies.

Question 15

Stasis and resistance to change

Answer 15

The hawk’s resistance to change can be read as a metaphor for rigid power structures and the dangers of stagnation.

Question 16

Poem overview

Answer 16

Ted Hughes uses the hawk as a symbol of raw, unfiltered power. The dramatic monologue allows the reader to delve into the hawk’s mind, which can be seen as a microcosm for authoritarianism, egotism, or even humanity’s exploitative relationship with nature. The poem challenges the reader to consider the nature of power and its often-destructive consequences.