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The poetry of Ted Hughes is rich with a recurring theme: the portrayal of animals to delve into the complexities of human nature. One such poignant exploration is found in his poem "Hawk Roosting," where Hughes encapsulates the essence of human characteristics, encompassing both virtues and vices, through the lens of an animal.
Throughout Hughes' poetic anthology, the motif of animals emerges as a prominent vehicle for investigating the human condition. "Hawk Roosting," in particular, sheds light on the multifaceted nature of humanity.
Unlike some of his other works such as "Work and Play," which portrays nature as superior to human existence, "Hawk Roosting" embodies a more somber tone, delving into the darker facets of nature. This is evident in phrases like "death," "kills and eats," presenting a stark contrast to the idyllic portrayal of nature in other poems.
The persona of the hawk in "Hawk Roosting" serves as a conduit for Hughes to delve into human attributes.
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Through the first-person perspective adopted by the hawk, readers are offered an intimate understanding of the creature's mindset. The line "I sit atop the wood" not only signifies the physical position but also conveys a sense of superiority and dominance. The use of the possessive pronoun "my" accentuates the hawk's belief in its supremacy, akin to the traits exhibited by a dictator.
Notably, the hawk's portrayal can be viewed in parallel with historical symbolism. The era of Ted Hughes' upbringing during World War II, coupled with the hawk's association with Nazi Germany, hints at a deliberate parallelism between the hawk and dictatorial figures.
The hawk's perceived omnipotence echoes the arrogance and authority characteristic of dictators, signified by lines like "Earth's face upward for my inspection." Hughes strategically aligns the hawk's traits with those of a dictator to comment on the overbearing dominance and haughtiness prevalent in both nature and human society.
Moreover, the interchangeable nature of the hawk with a human entity underscores Hughes' underlying message. Regardless of the entity occupying the role, be it a hawk or a human, the thematic essence remains unaltered. This conveys Hughes' belief in the intertwining of human and animalistic attributes, elucidating a connection between mankind and the natural world.
An intriguing aspect of "Hawk Roosting" lies in the language employed, exuding a palpable sense of arrogance from the bird towards its surroundings. The poem's first-person narrative accentuates the hawk's sense of superiority, positioning itself as the epitome of importance within its habitat. The line, "
Exploring Human Nature Through Animals in Ted Hughes' Poetry. (2017, Jan 26). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/ted-huges-hawk-roosting-essay
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