Hawk Roosting Questions and Answers (Marks 6)| Class 12 4th semester English | written by Edward James Hugheas

1. “… In sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat.” -What is the significance of the given line?
The quoted line is taken from Ted Hughes’ poem ‘Hawk Roosting’. Here, a hawk is talking about how even in his sleep he practises ways to kill his victims and eat them. It suggests that hunting is so deeply rooted in the hawk’s character, that he does not have to be fully conscious to think about it. Hughes’ imagery used in this line denotes the pride, arrogance and confidence of the predatory bird. It also shows how the hawk accepts his role as a hunting bird and is determined to do his duty with utmost perfection. The hawk’s perspective is unapologetic He does not question his actions or morality, rather accepts them as part of his existence. This perspective of the hawk represents nature’s raw, unfiltered reality, where survival is dictated by strength and instinct.
2. “Are of advantage to me; – What are the advantages provided by nature that the hawk enjoys?
In Ted Hughes’ poem ‘Hawk Roosting, nature provides the hawk with everything to maintain control and supremacy over nature. The hawk benefits from an environment that supports his dominance. The high treetops give him a perfect place to rest and also to monitor his prey. The wind helps him to stay afloat to hunt effortlessly. The earth faces upwards so that the hawk can observe every creature walking on it and keep eyes on them. The sunrays sharpen his vision, ensuring no prey escapes his watchful gaze. The hawk sits at the top of the food chain unchallenged as nature provides him with everything that he needs. Thus, in the poem Hughes presents nature as a dedicated supporter of the hawk. reinforcing the idea that he was meant to be the ruler of nature. This portrayal suggests that power in nature is not eamed but given, making the hawk’s supremacy feel both natural and inevitable.
3. “It took the whole of Creation/To produce my foot, my each feather:/Now I hold Creation in my foot.” -What does the hawk mean by saying that the whole of Creation’ produced it? How does this statement reflect the hawk’s arrogance and sense of superiority?
The phrase all of Creation’ produced it means That everything in the universe worked together and contributed to the hawk’s existence. It suggests a long and complex process of evolution and natural selection that Tesulted in the hawk’s perfect form. The hawk feels that every part of his body, especially his feet and feathers, is the result of nature’s best work. He believes that he is the finest creation of the natural world.
Through the given line the hawk tries to imply his belief that he is the all-powerful being that controls everything and nature exists only to serve him. He says that the Creator (God) has created his foot with utmost care and now he holds the ‘Creation’ with that same foot. Hence, he considers himself as the ultimate power of nature. He views his ability to kill as his inborn right, a part of the natural order. He believes that he has the right to keep everyone suppressed under his feet and decide their destiny. In this way, he reveals his arrogance and a sense of superiority.
4. “I kill where I please because it is all mine.”-Who is ‘T’ referred to here? From where is the quoted line taken? What does this line signify?
Here, I refers to the hawk that is resting on the top of a high tree.
The quoted line is taken from Ted Hughes poem “Hawk Roosting
The quoted line signifies the unyielding (unwilling to change) authority that the hawk holds on nature. The speaker, here the hawk, suggests its absolute power and control very clearly through the line. He thinks of himself as the ruler of nature. He sees nature as his possession, He boasts his dominance by saying that he can kill anyone. anytime and anywhere as he pleases, which indicates his belief that everything around him belongs to him. The hawk claims that his actions particularly killing is a natural right not that a moral choice. This reflects the themes of power. authority, and the raw instinct for survival that run through the poem. Thus, it draws a parallel to human rulers who assert unchallenged dominance.
5. “There is no sophistry in my body: / My manners are tearing off heads -” – Who has stated these lines? Explain the quoted lines.
The quoted line has been stated by the hawk in Ted Hughes poem ‘Hawk Roosting.
Through the quoted lines the hawk explains to the readers that there is no trickery in the hawk’s appearance He looks just as brutal as his mannerism or way of living is The hawk is straightforward about his ruthless nature – he kills without any remorse (regret). This violent nature of the hawk can easily be identified by his roëgh appearance, especially the hooked head and hooked feet’. Hedoes not disguise his cruel nature under the veil of delicate beauty. He asserts his supremacy over nature through his fierce traits like tearing off heads, which lacks sophistication and empathy. Thus, the quoted lines highlight the hawk’s raw, unapologetic nature. It represents nature’s ruthless honesty, where survival depends on strength only.
6. The allotment of death.”-Who is responsible for the allotment of death? What picture of the speaker is exposed through this expression?
The hawkin Ted Hughes” “Hawk Roosting believes that he has the responsibility for the allotment of death on other animals.
Through these lines “My manners are tearing off heads-/The allotment of death” we get the idea that the hawk views death and killing as something very natural and an integral part of his life. As an inherent (basic or permanent part of somebody/something) predator the hawk believes that he has the right to choose who lives and who dies. He talks about death and killing with cold detischment He does not see killing as cruel, rather sees it as an act of power and control. The hawk does not have any sense of empathy and he plays the role of a perfect predator by killing his prey whenever he pleases. He proudly accepts his role as a messenger of death and survives by allotting death to his victims.
7. No arguments assert my right: /The sun is behind me.” – How can these lines be interpreted as a metaphor for dictatorship or absolute authority?
These lines show how the hawk belleves he has power without needing to explain or prove anything. “No arguments assert my right” means the hawk doesn’t need permission or support and his power is natural and unquestionable. “The sun is behind me” is a powerful Image. The sun symbolises ultimate power, light, and unquestionable authority. Here it suggests that ructure itself supports the hawk, like a powerful leader backed by a higher force. This can be seen as a metaphor for a dictator who rules without question, using power and fear instead of fairness or discussion. The hawk’s confidence and control reflect how dictators often belleve they are always right and above others. Just like the hawk, they don’t allow change or challenge. The lines, thus show pride, control, and a belief in total authority.
8. “Nothing has changed since I began./My eye has permitted no change. /1 am going to keep things like this. Explain the quoted lines.
in the poem ‘Hawk Roosting’ the hawk claims to be a hunter since the very beginning of the Creation. It implies that hunting for the hawk is not a leamed behaviour but an inherent part of its being. Therefore, neither time nor any extemat force could change the hawk’s unwavering (resolute) attitude towards hunting. The hawk’s declaration that its eyes permitted no change shows its resistance towards any shift in power. Just like a dictator who wants to be at power till the end of his life, the hawk also wants to dominate nature unchallenged, just as they are right now. The last three lines of the poem appropriately highlights the theme of power and control through the hawk’s determination to maintain control on its surrounding indefinitely.
9. What is ‘dramatic monologue? Justify Hughes’ ‘Hawk Roosting’ as a dramatic monologue.
A dramatic monologue is a literary device where a single character speaks at length (poetic soliloquy) in first-person narrative, revealing their thoughts, emotions, or motivations to an implied audience.
The poem is a dramatic monologue, written in first-person narrative, allowing the reader to step into the mind of the hawk. The poet personifies the hawk to reveal his self-image to the readers. The monologue form shows the hawk’s one-sided view of the world-there is no exchange of dialogues, no alternative perspective, only his own self-assured arrogance. Here, the hawk sees himself as a supreme force, well aware of his supernority and unchallenged power. He thinks of himself as the pinnacle (peak) of God’s creation and believes that he can kill anyone, anywhere and at any time he pleases. The hawk, perched in solitude, becomes the representator of unchallenged power, controlling over the world and refusing to accept any change. By combining personification, first-person narrative, and dramatic monologue, Hughes crafted a poem where the predatory bird becomes a symbol of power, control, and supremacy. It offers a glimpse into the psyche of a ruler-be it human or animal.
10. Comment on the physical features and prowess of the hawk while mentioning their significance.
The hawk in ‘Hawk Roosting’ is depicted as a perfect predator, with physical features and prowess (skill) that symbolise power, precision, and dominance. Hughes describes his hooked beak, sharp claws, and strong wings-all essential for survival and control. The hawk’s physical teatures, particularly his hooked head and hooked feet signify his role as a predator. His sharp beak is designed to tear the flesh of his prey. His claws are made to firmly grip on branches or to capture prey with ease. These features represent his power and ability to dominate the natural world. Though the poem focuses on the hawk at rest, his wings still represent authority. The hawk belleves that God has created every single feather of him with utmost care so that he can rule the world. The hawk’s ability to fly and survey the land below adds to his sense of control. While not clearly mentioned, the hawk’s sharp eyesight allows him to spot targets from great distances, making him a superior hunter. The arrogant hawk is very proud of his prowess and believes himself to be the superior being ruling nature.
11. How is the hawk’s arrogance depicted throughout the poem?
In Ted Hughes’ poem “Hawk Roosting’, the hawk’s amogarice is depicted through his self-centred perspective and his physical features. He sees himself as the supreme ruler of nature. He believes that everything existing on earth including natural forces like the sun and air, exist to serve his needs. The hawk shows firm confidence in his power belleving that he is the most powerful and no one can ever take his place. He thinks that every creature is living under his mercy and he can kill anyone, anywhere and anytime he pleases to do so. Repeated use of personal pronouns like ”, ‘me’, “mine’ highlights his self-centred nature. Even his physical features represent his arrogance. He thinks that God has made every inch of his body with utmost care. His hooked besk and sharp claws symbolise brutality and dominance. His strong body and keen eyesight make him feel invincible (too powerful to be defeated or overcome) contributing to his arrogant nature.
12. What role does nature play in ‘Hawk Roosting’?
In ‘Hawk Roosting’, nature plays a dual role by both empowering and exposing the hawk’s dominance. On one hand, nature is the domain (an area of territory owned or controlled by a particular ruler or government) of the hawk and also its fool for asserting dominance on it. Even though the hawk is a part of nature, he sees himself as its ruler, Nature provides him with strength, hunting abilities, and an environment perfectly suited to rule. The hawk sees nature as serving his needs, making him feel like a supreme leader
On the other hand, nature also reveals the harsh realities of survival and power. The hawk embodies the raw, unchallenged power of nature. His existence is rooted in instinct, where killing is a natural and necessary part of his life. This highlights the ruthless, unforgiving side of nature, where strength determines control and morality holds no place. It indicates that in nature only the fittest ones survive which is the basic law of nature. Hence, Through this dual role, Hughes has presented nature as both a giver and a dictator.
13. How does the poem Hawk Roosting’ reflect the theme of ‘survival of the fittest’?
Ted Hughes’ poem ‘Hawk Roosting’ reflects the theme of survival of the fittest through the character of the hawk. The hawk thinks of himself as someone ruling over nature. Actually he is just a part of nature mirroring nature’s raw brutality. He sees himself as the most superior creature created by God, having all the suitable features and skills to dominate over nature. He sees violence as a necessary part of his being. He thinks being the best predator, he is invincible and his dominance is unchallengable. Thus, he kills other creatures ruthlessly without feeling any remorse. This shows the violent reality of nature-only the strongest survives in the natural world. The hawk’s confidence comes from his belief that he is the strongest and most violent, hence he has the power to dominate the weak ones by killing them. This merciless attitude of the hawk towards the weak creatures reflects the natural order, where the weak gets destroyed under the strong.
14. Discuss the theme of power and dominance in ‘Hawk Roosting’ .
The theme of power and dominance is central to Ted Hughes’ poem ‘Hawk Roosting’. The hawk represents himself as the ultimate ruler throughout the poem. He believes that he can control everything around him, including life and death. The hawk’s statement such as ” kill where I please because it is all mine highlights his confidence as an all-powerful ruler, He thinks that everything in nature exists to help him dominate the world. It shows his belief in his divine right to rule. Even his elevated (situated or placed higher than the surrounding area) roosting position on top of a tree, his sharp beak and claws symbolise his predatory dominance and superiority. The hawk’s arrogance and unwillingness to allow change also show his desire to rule over nature eternally, Hughes use of assertive language throughout the poem emphasises the hawk’s control over nature, which shows how unquestioned dominance can become destructive.
15. Write about the use of imagery in Ted Hughes’ ‘Hawk Roosting’.
Ted Hughes “Hawk Roosting’ is rich in imagery that conveys power, control, and the ruthless instinct of nature. The hawk is described to have hooked head and hooked feet, creating an image of him being a fierce and ruthless predator. The supreme predator uses visual imagery to declare his dominance and confidence through the line “I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed. Imagery is again used when he mentions “My feet are locked upon the rough bark to show his strong grip or power on his surrounding. Violent imagery is evident throughout the poem, particularly in the mention of ‘I kill where I please, tearing off heads and the allotment of death, diplaying the hawk’s merciless nature. Hughes aiso. uses natural imagery like ‘air’s buoyancy and sun’s ray to show how the hawk thinks that the world was crafted for his benelit. The phrases it is all mine and My eye has permitted no change further strengthen the hawk’s belief in his absolute control over nature. Through these images the hawk’s perspective becomes a metaphor for human ambition and dominance.
16. How does Hawk Roosting draw parallels between the animal kingdom and the human society? Discuss with reference to the poem.
Ted Hughes “Hawk Roosting’ is a powerful allegory that draws strong parallels between the natural world and human society. The poem uses the hawk as a symbol of unchecked authority and dominance. He stands for a ruler who is completely convinced of his superiority and control over his domain (an area of territory owned or controlled by a particular ruler or government) It shows the ruthless nature of power both in the animal kingdom and in human civilisation. The way the hawk sees the world is similar to how dictators of powerful rulers view their authority-strong, unquestioned, and in control. His assertion that he holds everything in place with his claws reflects the idea that power often relies on violence and force. The poem’s magery like the hawk’s indifferent attitude towards killing and unshakable confidence-deepens the comparison to human leaders who enforce their power without empathy or morality. The hawk’s belief that the world exists only to serve him and he is never going to let it change reflects the dictators hunger for absolute power. Thus, the hawk in “Hawk Roosting is more than just a bird-a metaphor for human arrogance, control, and the constant pursuit of dominance.
17. Discuss the thematic significance of the hawk’s elevated position.
In ‘Hawk Roosting’, the hawk’s high position is very important for showing his power. Sitting at the top, he feels like he rules everything below. This height gives him a sense of complete control over his world. He looks down at everything as if he owns it. The hawk feels like a God, above all other creatures. The hawk’s view from above matches how he thinks. He sees himself as the most important and strongest creature. He belleves he is made only to kill and no one can question his authority. This high spot is not just a place to sit, but a symbol of the hawk’s power and pride. This shows the hawk’s belief in his natural right to rule over others without fear of doubt and that everything exists for his benefit.
18. How does the poem address the concept of morality?
In Hawk Roosting’. Ted Hughes has not used human ideas of right or wrong. The poem doesn’t ask if the hawk’s actions are good or bad. Instead, it shows nature as wild and ruled by instinct. The hawk kilis to survive, and he sees no need to feel sorry for or explain his actions. He does what he is made to do. He doesn’t lie or think deeply, he simply uses his strength and sharp body to hunt and kill, Hughes shows a world where power and survival matter more than kindness orfaimuss. The hawk’s actions are not judged they are just part of nature. This poem reminds us that the natural world follows its own rules and doesn’t care about human morals. It shows that nature has its own way, where only the strongest survives.
19. What kind of feelings might arise in the readers’ mind while reading the poem?
Ted Hughes‘ poem “Hawk Roosting makes the readers feel two things at the same time-admiration and fear. We admire the hawk for his strength, confidence and hisperfect skill as a hunter. He speaks clearly and proudly about himself, without hiding anything. The way he acts and thinks shows the wild beauty and power ofriature. But the poem also makes us feel uneasy. The hawk nether shows any empathy for others nor kindness towards them He does not care about right or wrong. He fools no guilt for killing violently and believes he has the right to control who will live and who will die. This cold and proud way of thinking can be scary. The hawk’s love for power and violence makes the readers think deeply about how nature can be both powerful and cruel.
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