Find out words, statements and images which stress the powerful position of the bird and depict its cruel and violent nature. Refer to the text.

A bird, while roosting, normally gives a sense of peace and tranquility, but this is not the case of the hawk. As a matter of fact, this animal is the incarnation of arrogance and violence even when resting.

In line 2, we understand that the hawk is not moving, but still, because of the noun “inaction”.

In addition to this, the hawk manages not to fall from the rough bark he’s relaxing on by perching it with his strong claws, same instrument he uses in order to carry and tear the flesh of his victims apart (“My feet are locked upon the rough bark”, line 9, and “My manner are tearing off heads”, line 16).

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Summary

The poem deals with the figure of a bird of prey, in this case a hawk. It is the very animal who speaks in this composition of Ted Hughes, describing his attitude towards other creatures and “Creation”, on which he believes to have supremacy.

He benefits from air (in which he can float and reach his preys without making any noise and efforts), he enjoys the presence of the sun in the sky (other animal can’t recognize him because of the luminosity of the star) and the convenience of being able to land on the top of high trees (from where he can inspect the world while hiding from it).

The poet could refer to the cruelty and half-madness dictators have towards their communities, whose laws they substitute with their own.

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