7. Hawk Roosting - Poetry - Class 11 - Woven Words

Poet: Ted Hughes

Textbook: Woven Words

Genre: Poem (Dramatic Monologue / Nature and Power Poetry)

Summary

Ted Hughes’ poem Hawk Roosting is a dramatic monologue spoken from the point of view of a hawk perched high in the trees. The hawk describes its own power, control, and dominance over nature. It sees itself as the center of creation—every element in nature, including the sun, air, and trees, exists for its convenience. The hawk boasts of its physical superiority: its hooked beak, powerful claws, and sharp vision. It claims the right to kill at will, presenting itself as a symbol of supreme authority and unchallenged strength. The hawk’s tone is confident, proud, and even ruthless. It insists that nothing has changed since the beginning of creation and that it will ensure things stay the same. The poem is not just about a bird; it also reflects on power, authority, and domination in human behavior. Hughes uses the hawk to explore how absolute power can lead to arrogance and violence. The stark imagery and direct speech give the poem a chilling yet thought-provoking tone.

Character Sketch

The Hawk (Speaker):

The hawk is self-centered, proud, and powerful. It believes that all of nature exists to serve it. It has no sense of guilt or morality—only purpose and instinct. It symbolizes both natural superiority and the dangerous arrogance of absolute power.

Themes

✨ Literary Devices / Poetic Devices

Title Justification

The title Hawk Roosting is straightforward yet symbolic. “Roosting” means resting or perching, and in this state of stillness, the hawk reflects on its power and dominance. The act of roosting becomes a moment of quiet control before action. This static position gives the hawk time to assert its superiority and inspect its kingdom. The title reflects not just the physical act of resting but also the mental and symbolic positioning of the hawk as ruler of all it surveys. It perfectly captures the balance between inaction and power, pride and violence.

One-Mark Questions

1. What physical features of the hawk are highlighted in the poem?

   The poem mentions the hawk’s “hooked head,” “hooked feet,” and its sharp claws. These features symbolize strength and deadly precision.

   
   

2. What does the line “I hold Creation in my foot” suggest?It means the hawk believes it controls the natural world. This shows the hawk’s sense of superiority and power over life and death.

   
   

3. Why is the hawk’s flight described as passing “through the bones of the living”?This line emphasizes the hawk’s deadly nature. Its flight represents dominance and destruction, with no mercy.

   
   

4. What does the poet mean by “There is no sophistry in my body”?The hawk claims it has no deception or false modesty. Its actions are pure instinct—direct, brutal, and honest.

   
   

5. How does the hawk view change in nature?The hawk is against any change. It wants to keep the world exactly as it is under its control.

Three-Mark Questions

1. How does the poet convey the hawk’s sense of superiority?

   The hawk claims that everything in nature—from the trees to the sun—exists for its benefit. It sees itself as the result of perfect creation and the ruler of all. Its language is filled with confidence, declaring that it kills where it pleases and allows no change. The hawk considers itself the center of the world. These lines reflect arrogance and a desire to dominate.

   
   

2. What role does nature play in the poem?

   Nature is described not as an independent force, but as something that serves the hawk. The trees provide height, the air helps it fly, and the sun lights its world. Nature is presented from the hawk’s point of view, as if it exists solely for the hawk’s convenience. This one-sided view reveals the hawk’s pride. It sees itself not as part of nature, but as the ruler of it.

   
   

3. What human qualities are reflected in the hawk’s behavior?

   The hawk shows traits like arrogance, cruelty, and a hunger for power—qualities often seen in dictators. It justifies violence as natural and necessary. The hawk believes it has the right to kill and control, similar to authoritarian leaders. Its refusal to accept change reflects human stubbornness and fear of losing control. The hawk becomes a powerful metaphor for unchecked ambition and tyranny.

   
   

Value-Based Question

What lesson can we learn about power from the poem Hawk Roosting?

The poem teaches us that power, when unchecked, can lead to arrogance and cruelty. Like the hawk, people in authority may begin to think that everything exists to serve them. This can result in a lack of empathy and destructive behavior. True leadership should include responsibility and humility, not just control. The poem warns against the dangers of becoming too confident in one’s own strength.

End

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