HAWK ROOSTING

INTRODUCTION:

- Hooked quote - “Now I hold creation in my foot”. Portrays the self-aggrandizing and
condescending hawk, to weave a prominent impression of this pompous creature.
- Central idea - The poem Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes is a dramatic monologue from
the hawk's perspective as it explores its egotistic and violent nature.
- Mood or tone - the tone of the poem is highly hubristic. While the mood is quite
threatening.
- Question key word synonyms - vivid impression, compelling image, remarkable,
engaging, impactful, starkling, indelible, engaging, noticeable, prominent, significant
- Thesis statement - Through the use of gruesome imagery, the theme of power and
control, and uniformed structure, Ted Hughes creates a striking impression of the Hawk.
- Thesis statement topics -
1. Theme
2. Structure
3. Imagery

PARA 1:

- Topic sentence- Ted Hughes uses the theme of cruelty and violence to create the
striking impression of the hawk.

1. Point- The explicit theme of brutality along with a hint of mastery is reflected by
the phrase.
- Evidence- “I kill where I please because its all mine”
- Analysis- The forest is the hawks known kingom. His sense of being
indiscriminate helps him make all his decisions. Unlike humans, he
chooses who lives or dies. “Its all mine”, is a monosilibic statement,
following it, the end stop line, that creates control.
- Link back- Through the powerful usage of words, Hughes leaves a
significant mark on the readers mind.

2. Point- The mindset is still the same, even when hes at rest, that displays the
importance of the brutal theme.
- Evidence- “Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat”.
- Analysis- He’s put his brain into the hunting mastermind with sheer
concentration, that hes alert even while sleeping. “Perfect kills and eat”,
personfies that he aims to nail every habit. He’s a perfectionist.
- Link back- By the thought of visualizing kills while sleeping brings forth
the gory theme.

3. Point- Furthermore the poet directs towards the theme of control.

 - Evidence- “My feet are locked upon the bark”
- Analysis- The statement brings forth a sense of authority. Using the word
“locked”, is a gripping verb, that showcases that its his tree. The “rough
bark”, further dwells along the violent theme.
- Link back- Throughout the poem the usage of the dark theme triggers
domination.

PARA 2:

- Topic sentence - The poet has used gory imagery to showcase a powerful image of the
hawk.

1. Point- The visual imagery used in the poem suggests that the hawk is the apex
predator.
- Evidence- The opening line of the poem, “I sit on top of the wood”
- Analysis- Reveals the physical position of the hawk. This phrase
metaphorically, tells us the hawk is at the top of the food chain.
- Link back- Thus creating a powerful impression of the hawk.

2. Point- Through the statement the violent imagery is accentuated, that portrays
the dark side of his habits.
- Evidence- “Manners are tearing off heads”
- Analysis- Portrays that life is so ghastly that his ‘daily actions’ result in
creatures dying. It's his inherited nature to behave so.
- Link back- Hence, painting a very compelling image of the hawk in the
reader's mind.

3. Point- The harsh imagery used portrays that the hawk is also a consumer.
- Evidence- “Through the bones of the living”
- Analysis- The hawk is a very direct killer. “Through the bones”, triggers
shivers as its an insight that he's not only a carnivore but also a
scavenger.
- Link back- Moreover, with the gruesome imagery the poet sets a very
frightening tone to the poem.

- Closing statement- Hence, through the use of gory imagery Hughes has conjured an
extremely formidable image of the hawk.

PARA 3:

- Topic sentence- With the use of aligned and an unorthodox formatting, the structure
plays a significant role in creating an impactful impression of the hawk.

1. Point- The opening lines consist of uniform structure, one such being the phrase..
 - Evidence- “I sit in the top of the wood”
- Analysis- The first line of the poem indicates that the poem is in first person.
Fabricating that the hawk is overpowered and is hubiristic.
- Link back- Making it easier to understand the poem.

2. Point- Even though the hawk is above the flow of nature of beautifying things, the
couplet plays a significant role in making an impression.
- Evidence- “Feet and eat”
- Analysis- Although there isnt any rhyming scheme, there is a rhyming couplet
that states the hawks body and purpose are in sink.
- Link back- Making the poem enjoyable.

3. Point- Another point of the environment favouring his actions.

- Evidence- “The convenience of the high trees!”
- Analysis- He’s so used to nature being at his disposal, that hes now enjoying
being in power.
- Link back- Bringing forth the exciting and dominating tone of the poem.

- Closing statement- Moreover, through the usage of a regular structure, Hughes weave
an engaging image of the hawk.

CONCLUSION:

- With the help of the violent theme, a uniformed structure and gruesome imagery, Ted
Hughes manages to imprint an indelible impact on the audience.

(Anthropomorphism - it is the attribution of human characteristics to an animal or a hawk

that is personified as a tyrant, a brutal despot, and a narcissist)