hawk roosting

Question 1

“hooked head and hooked feet”

Answer 1

hubristic attributes, everything about it is weapon-like and is perfectly suited for a “killing machine” use of repetition conveys power and control

Question 2

“my eye has permitted no change”

Answer 2

chooses what remains constant and what differs - no change is permitted due to not willing to risk a loss of power. Satisfaction with his position. Throughout the poem, parts of hawks body is adressed emphasising its perfect adaptation to be omnipotent and ruthless, exposing natures brutal reality

Question 3

“whole of creation to produce my foot…whole of creation in my foot”

Answer 3

reiterates his hubristic attitudes. Omnipotent belief - overcomes God. Use of enjambment could illustrate his onoing hubris and power and could perhaps symbolise creation being a long process. God and nature is presented to be mere prey at the hawks mercy

Question 4

“no sophistry in my body”

Answer 4

belief he is free of all regulations and rules in which he does not have to justify. Withholds total power with no negotiation, he possess a raw killing instinct in which lacks the need for sophistry

Question 5

“are of advantage to me”

Answer 5

all of nature works for the hawk and was designed for its convenience - omnipotent belief emphasising his profound arrogance. Perhaps represents the arrogant, selfish leaders who seem to believe the world works to their convenience

Question 6

hawk roosting poet

Answer 6

ted hughes

Question 7

structure of hawk roosting

Answer 7

regular 4 line stanzas - control is constant
enjambment, rhyme scheme fades - break up regularity - doesn’t have the control he thinks he has
form of a dramatic monologue
personal pronouns - anthromorphosism

Question 8

hawk roosting context

Answer 8

• work rooted in innocent savagery of animals
  -potential metaphor for dictatorship
  -father fought in trenches - violence exposure
  -animals: survival of fittest -> strive for success in humanity