hawk roosting Flashcards
“hawk roosting”
implies that the hawk is nesting and resting, perhaps waiting for its next victim
“my hooked head and hooked feet”
Hawk has complete self confidence. Everything about it is weapon-like and is perfectly designed for a killing machine. Everything was deliberately created and is suited for its job - repetition conveys power and control
“are of advantage to me”
All of nature works for the hawk and was designed for its convenience. He rules over all - he believes he is omnipotent further emphasising his extreme arrogance. He believes the world was built around him which could be representative of the arrogant, selfish leaders who seem to think that everything should work to their convenience,
“hold creation in my foot”
Repetition of creation reiterates his hubristic attitude. His omnipotent belief implies that he thinks he is even more powerful and overcomes God. The enjambment could emphasise how his power is ongoing and his ongoing hubris, and could also display how creation was a long process. God had to work hard to create the hawk - now nature and God are presented as tiny prey at the hawk’s mercy
“there is no sophistry in my body”
This represents how the hawk believes he is free of all regulations and rules and how he does not have to justify himself. He has total power with no negotiation. He possess a raw killing instinct in which lacks the need for sophistry
“through the bones of the living”
ronic contrast between life and he is an executioner, a natural born killer in which chooses who lives and who dies. He lacks compassion and sympathy. The horror and brutality is emphasised by the factual tone. He is totally focused and is not willing to take any diversions. To the hawk, killing is easy and meaningless.
“my eye has permitted no change”
He chooses what changes and what stays the same. He has not allowed change and is not willing to risk loss of power. He likes it how it is and has no intentions of changing things. Parts of the hawk’s body are addressed, one by one throughout the poem - displaying how It’s perfectly adapted to be powerful
