Hawk Roosting, by Ted Hughes Flashcards
Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker of the poem is a hawk who is looking down on the earth beneath him
What is the poem about?
about the power and how the hawk’s power has led to the arrogance of the hawk
how he doesn’t want the natural order of things to change
When/where?
in the natural world
begins perched at the top of a tree, waiting to swoop down on his next pray
Why?
fascination with the natural world
hawk is very proud of his place in the food chain and the fact he can choose who lives and dies - mirrors/a metaphor for humans greed for this type of power
Context
Ted Hughes was Poet Laureate until his death in 1984 and wrote many poems about the natural world
Hughes said the poem wasn’t about cruelty – he just wanted to show a hawks ‘natural way of thinking’
Structure
The clearly organised structure of the six stanzas reflects the hawk’s control over his life and land
The steady and calm pace to the poem again mirrors the hawk’s measured control over the woodland – he will not be rushed by anyone.
Form
free verse - dramatic monologue
in the perspective of the Hawk, who is talking about his effortless power
comment on the title
Hughes uses the image of the hawk to suggest power.
The word ‘Roosting’ implies that the hawk feels at home and is comfortable on his perch.
First line + analysis
‘I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed’
‘top’ shows that he is at the top of the food chain
‘my eyes closed’ - He does not need to look at the world to know his place in it – he is almost meditating on his success
‘no falsifying dream’ analysis
Reality is better than dreaming for him.
He doesn’t need to lie.
What does ‘hooked head and hooked feet’ suggest?
he is in control – his claws are sunk in
What does ‘Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat’ tell the reader?
He even dreams that his kills go perfectly. He is constantly thinking about death
‘The convenience of the high trees!’ analysis
Suggests he thinks they are there specifically for him
analyse ‘Are of advantage to me’
all aspects of nature are for his ease
‘And the earth’s face upward for my inspection’ analysis
Arrogant tone – he is even scrutinising earth
‘My feet are locked’ analysis
Verb shows his power – links to the idea of a dictator ‘locking down’ on others’ freedom.
analyse:
‘It took the whole of Creation
To produce my foot, my each feather:
Now I hold Creation in my foot’
Sees himself as God-like.
Repetition of ‘Creation’ and the capitalisation of it emphasises his arrogance and God delusions.
Analyse ‘revolve it all slowly’
the verb ‘revolve’ implies the world turns just for him
‘I kill where I please because it is all mine’ analysis
Shows his selfish and power obsessed nature.
What does ‘no sophistry in my body’ show that the hawk believes?
No false arguments – links to the arrogance in the first stanza
he believes he is perfect
‘My manners are tearing off heads’ analysis
Brutally honest – violent language shows his brutality
How does the line ‘The allotment of death’ link back to the speaker believing he is God-like?
Thinks he can ‘play God’ and decide who lives and who dies
What does ‘Through the bones of the living’ remind the reader of?
Contrast between ‘bones’ and ‘living’ reminds the reader he has the power to take life away
What does ‘No arguments assert my right’ link to?
dictatorship – no one else has a say or can challenge him
