The hawk Roosting Flashcards
Who wrote hawk roosting
Ted Hughes
When was it published and in what collection
In 1960, Lupercal collection
What is the theme of hawk roosting
Nature
Power
Control
Violence
What is the structure of hawk roosting
Six stanza poem containing quatrains
No regular rhyming scheme
What is the form of hawk roosting
First person
Strong narrational presence- monologue
Syntax of manic certitude unlike a human
Austere (Harsh) poem of killing
Allegory for destruction of man kind through hitler references
What is the tone of hawk roosting
Confident, ostentatious tone
What is the context of hawk roosting
Some critics have take the poem to glorify totalitarianism/fascist militarism- ‘four young poets’ magazine in 1959.
The poem carefully avoids specific references to historical/political events. Hughes remarks that the Hawk is in view of hitler.
Pg 77
What are quick language techniques of hawk roosting
First person- to show how he feels he’s in charge.
Imagery ‘hooked feet’- to show the danger of bird
Dichotomy ‘the earths facing upward for my inspection’ - the earth looks up to him, reflecting superiority
Paradox ‘my manners are tearing off heads’ - he doesn’t have any manners.
Enjambment ‘for the one path of my flight is direct’ - showing how smoothly he can kill, nothing is no more important than him to stop him.
What are important quotes from hawk roosting
‘My eyes closed’ - shows he has comfort in relaxing, no fear of any other being.
‘It took the whole creation to produce my foot’ - he has magistrates, he thinks he’s better than everyone else even god.
‘I’m going to keep things like this’ - hawk is glorifying that he’s a killer.
Quick overview of hawk roosting
Hawk roosting is a monologue given by this hawk as he lives in nature, he is gloating over the fact he feels as if he’s the best thing ever created, he outlines how he’s feared, strong and in control through showing us how swiftly he can kill and control
