Hawk roosting Flashcards
(21 cards)
“between my hooked..”
“head and hooked feet”
“the convenience…”
“of the high trees!”
“and the earth’s face…”
“upward for my inspection”
“it took the whole of creation … now i..”
“hold creation in my foot”
“my manners are…”
“tearing off heads - the allotment of death.”
“the sun…”
“is behind me.”
“my eye has…”
“permitted no change. I am going to keep things like this.”
“i sit in the….”
“top of the wood, my eyes closed”
“Between my hooked head and hooked feet”
Repetition of the ‘k’ sound emphasises the bird’s ruthlessness.
The idea of being ‘hooked’ shows how he is designed to kill prey, and how nature has to be brutal in order to survive.
“Inaction…”
“no falsifying dream”
“my eyes closed”
The hawk has nothing to fear, as he is confident that he is at the top of the food chain. He has a calm and relaxed demeanour, as he has no worries since he is aware that he is in full control.
“Inaction, no falsifying dream”
Confirms that this is not a dream of the hawk, but instead is reality. Shows that this position is something that everyone would want.
“The convenience of the high trees!”
He believes that it was all made for him, yet again revealing his egotistical nature but also taking advantage of his surroundings.
“The earth’s face upward for my inspection”
He is looking down at the earth, revealing the intensity of his superiority and establishing a tone of authority.
How does the hawk tell its story?
Through dramatic monologue and the constant repitition of ‘I’ ‘me’ and ‘my’, reflecting egotistical nature.
“Now i hold Creation in my foot”
Implies a dominance over God. The capitalisation of ‘Creation’ highlights the importance of everything around it, and how he simply feels that he has full control over it. Metaphorically, this could show the views of a dictator or a leader that craves power, such as Hitler.
“My manners are tearing off heads”
Gruesome and violent imagery emphasises that the bird is merciless and will kill whatever it needs to survive. He seems proud of this.
“The allotment of death”
‘Allotment’ refers to growing, and often symbolises life, yet this is contrasted with the harsh imagery of death, supporting the hawk’s sentiment and expression.
“The sun is behind me”
Indicates the hawk’s belief that he is superior to the sun or that the sun helps to support him on his dominance.
“I am going to keep things like this”
No doubt in tone, implies his need for control and dominance.
Ted hughes context
• The poem was written Post-WW2, when people feared dictators and misuse of power.
• He loved nature but showed its raw, violent side. His work is rooted in the innocent savagery of animals.
• He studied archaeology and human behaviours.
