Hawk Roosting - Ted Hughes Flashcards
‘’Falsifying’’
‘’No falsifying dream’’
The hawk is not dreaming because dreams are the imagination’s desire. He already has everything and his goal of total control. Signs of arrogance as he flaunts his power and natural selection: reference to Nazi ideology.
“Creation”
“Now I hold Creation in my foot”
Creation is capitalised clearly referencing God. The Creation produced the foot and now the foot holds Creation. It is as if he believes he has control over Creation itself much like a dictator. Hawk has mistaken itself as God.
“Revolve”
“Revolve it all slowly”
The hawk is deluded with the power he shows. He flies in circles around the world so the hawk believes he revolves the world such that his power is limitless. The illusion of being as powerful as God clouds his vision.
“Sun”
“The sun is behind me”
The sun follows him. The sun’s importance is inferior to him. Once again he is deluded into thinking the sun orbits him and he is the centre of the universe. Moreover, he believes he is as consistent as the sun with his domination being just as immovable.
“My eye”
“My eye has permitted no change”
‘Eye’ mentioned int he first stanza created a cyclical feel to the poem. He is deluded and will continue to be. The lack of change is because of his power reinforcing how human nature will never change from savagery.
