"Hawk Roosting" by Ted Hughes is a very well‑known poem and is currently included in the syllabus of WBBHSE Class 12 fourth semester.
These are Hawk Roosting question answers. If you are a Class 12 fourth semester student, this will help you a lot. We have presented here all the important 2‑mark and 6‑mark questions from Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes, based on the latest WBBHSE exam pattern. Practising different types of questions can help students discover new ways of solving problems they may not have encountered before. This practice ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance in exams. And I got you here. You can find the answer to all your queries.
Hawk Roosting Summary :
The poem is spoken by a hawk. It sits high in a forest with its eyes closed. The hawk is completely still. It thinks about its sharp, curved head and feet. Even in sleep, it imagines perfect ways to kill and eat.
The hawk feels that nature exists to serve it. The tall trees give it a convenient place to rest. The air helps it fly, and the sun's light is an advantage. It looks down upon the earth as if the world is waiting for its inspection.
Its feet are locked tightly onto a tree branch. The hawk believes that all of creation was needed to make its body perfect, from its foot to each feather. When the poem says, 'Now I hold Creation in my foot', it is a metaphor. It means the hawk feels it has complete power and control over the world, just by gripping the branch.
The hawk can fly up and see everything below. It kills wherever it wants because it believes the world belongs to it. The hawk is not complicated or deceptive. Its behaviour is direct and violent, described as "tearing off heads."
It sees its life's work as giving out death. Its flight path is a straight line through the bodies of living things. The hawk feels it does not need to justify its actions or prove its right to kill.
The sun is behind the hawk, as if it supports the bird. The hawk says nothing has changed since it first appeared. It has not allowed any change to happen. The hawk intends to keep things as they are forever.
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Short Answer Type Questions from Hawk Roosting : - (2 Marks)
1. What does the hawk’s position at the top of the wood suggest about its character?
Ans. The hawk’s position at the top of the wood suggests his superiority, dominance over other creatures, and imposing control of its surroundings.
2. What does the hawk mean by ‘no falsifying dream’?
Ans. Through this phrase, the hawk conveys that it does not rely on illusions or fantasies, it accepts reality, recognizing its own power and violent nature without pretence.
3. How does the hawk’s sleep differ from human sleep?
Ans. The hawk uses sleep to rehearse killing and feeding, unlike human. It indicates the hawk's confidence in its power and that its killing instincts never rest.
4. What do the phrases ‘hooked head’ and ‘hooked feet’ emphasize?
Ans. These phrases ‘hooked head’ and ‘hooked feet’ emphasize the hawk’s physical features as a predator and how these are perfectly adapted for hunting and killing.
5. Why does the hawk praise the high trees?
Ans. The hawk praises the high trees because they allow it can easily observe the world beneath its feet and dominate from above. The top of the tree symbolizes its power and authority, giving the hawk a clear sense of superiority and control.
6. What is meant by ‘the air’s buoyancy’?
Ans. ‘The air’s buoyancy’ refers to the upward force that air exerts on objects within it, allowing the hawk to rise and remain aloft. It helps the hawk to soar and glide with little effort, maintaining its aerial dominance.
Ans. ‘The air’s buoyancy’ refers to the upward force that air exerts on objects within it, allowing the hawk to rise and remain aloft. It helps the hawk to soar and glide with little effort, maintaining its aerial dominance.
7. How does the hawk view natural elements like the sun and air?
Ans. The hawk views these elements as tools that serve its own needs. It believes that nature exists to benefit and support its goal.
8. What does the phrase ‘the earth’s face upward for my inspection’ convey?
Ans. This phrase conveys the hawk's arrogance, implying that it sees the entire earth or its creatures as something placed before it to examine and dominate.
9. What does the hawk’s grip on the bark symbolize?
Ans. The hawk’s grip on the bark symbolizes firm control and unyielding hold over its environment and power. It reflects the hawk’s arrogance and certainty that nature itself is firmly under its command.
10. How does the hawk describe the creation of its body?
Ans. The hawk claims that the creation of its body is the result of the entire effort of nature and Creation. Every part of it has been perfectly designed for power and killing. This gives the hawk a sense of complete control and superiority.
11. What is the significance of the line ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’?
or
What does the poet mean by "Now I hold the Creation in my foot"?
Ans. This line ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’ signifies the hawk’s arrogance. It symbolizes that the hawk considers himself like a god who controls all creation beneath him. The hawk sees itself as the centre of existence, with the right to rule and destroy at will.
12. What does the hawk mean by ‘revolve it all slowly’?
Ans. The hawk means that it can fly over the earth and observe everything below at its leisure, as if it were its possession. This reflects the hawk’s arrogance and its sense of absolute authority over all of Creation.
13. "I kill where I please because it is all mine." - How does the line ‘I kill where I please’ reflect the hawk’s character? (1)
Ans: This line reflects the hawk’s unapologetic control and autonomy, showing that it kills without restriction or remorse.
14. "I kill where I please because it is all mine." - Why does he says this "it is all mine"? (2)
Ans: The hawk believes that everything beneath it exists for its use, so it can kill freely without fear. This line highlights the hawk’s arrogance, ruthless authority, and its conviction that nature itself is under its control.
or
Ans: The hawk says this to show his power and authority. By this line, the hawk means that the entire world - nature, the sky, the trees, the prey - all belongs to him. He believes that everything exists for his own use and that he has the right to control all things even life and death.
15. What is meant by ‘There is no sophistry in my body’? (1 mark)
Ans. The phrase means the hawk does not hide his brutality, selfishness. He proudly declares his instinctive and brutal nature without any pretence or deception.
16. How does the hawk describe its manners, and what does this suggest? OR "My manners are tearing off heads" - what does it suggest?
OR How does the hawk describe its "manners"? What is its "allotment"?
Ans. The hawk describes its manners as ‘tearing off heads’.
The hawk openly declares that killing is its natural way of behaving. It believes that destruction is not cruelty but simply its rightful manner of existence.
17. What does ‘The sun is behind me’ symbolize?
17. What does ‘The sun is behind me’ symbolize?
or
Q. "The sun is behind me." - What does the hawk say about the sun?
or,
What does the hawk want to say by the line, "The sun is behind me"?
Ans. It symbolizes the hawk’s belief that it is supported by natural forces. By placing the sun behind itself, the hawk suggests that nature stands with it, portraying the hawk as the centre of existence.18. Why does the hawk claim ‘nothing has changed since I began’?
Ans. The hawk claims this to emphasize its belief in the permanence and unchallengeable nature of its rule. He believes he is even superior to God. So, he thinks that since the beginning of time, he has kept everything unchanged.
This attitude delivers a sharp jolt to the human belief that they are powerful enough to control nature and its forces.
19. What does the line ‘My eye has permitted no change’ suggest?
Ans. The hawk sees itself as the centre of Creation. With everything under its watch, it will not allow anything in nature to change or disrupt its control without its approval.
20. Explain the last line of the poem “I am going to keep things like this…” in your own words.
Ans. The hawk sees itself as the centre of Creation, so it expresses its desire to keep everything exactly as it is and to control the life and death of others. The line shows its arrogance and strong belief in its own power.
Ans. The hawk sees itself as the centre of Creation, so it expresses its desire to keep everything exactly as it is and to control the life and death of others. The line shows its arrogance and strong belief in its own power.
21. How does the hawk describe its state of "Inaction"?
Ans: The hawk’s inaction is simply sitting at the top of the wood with closed eyes, free from false dreams. Even in this stillness, it silently rehearses perfect kills, showing that rest itself is part of its predatory nature.
22. What does the hawk rehearse in its sleep?
Ans: The hawk’s inaction is simply sitting at the top of the wood with closed eyes, free from false dreams. Even in this stillness, it silently rehearses perfect kills, showing that rest itself is part of its predatory nature.
22. What does the hawk rehearse in its sleep?
or
What does the hawk see in its dream?
or
What kind of thoughts dominate the hawk's mind during sleep?
Ans: In its dream, the hawk silently rehearses perfect kills and eats its prey. Its mind is dominated by thoughts of violence even during sleep. Its dreams are not for pleasure but reflect its violent instinct and show its true predatory nature.
23. "Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat." - Who is the speaker? What does he mean by this line?
Ans: The speaker of the line is Hawk.
In its dream, the hawk silently rehearses perfect kills and eats its prey. Its mind is dominated by thoughts of violence even during sleep. Its dreams are not for pleasure but reflect its violent instinct and show its true predatory nature.
24. What aspects of nature are an advantage to the hawk? / What are the things that aid the flight of the Hawk?
Ans: The tall trees give it a secure perch and a commanding view, the buoyant air makes its flight effortless, the sun’s rays strengthen its presence, and the earth itself lies open beneath its gaze. Altogether, these elements reinforce the sense of natural support for its dominance.
25. How does the hawk perceive the earth from its perch?
Answer: From its high perch, the hawk perceives the earth as lying open beneath its gaze. It sees the land as something placed for its inspection and control, reinforcing the idea that all of Creation exists to serve its dominance like a king.
26. What did it take to produce the hawk's foot and feathers?
Ans: The hawk believes that it took the whole of Creation to make its foot and each of its feathers, highlighting its view of itself as the ultimate purpose of creation.
27. Why does the hawk believe it can kill wherever it pleases?
Ans: The hawk believes it has the right to kill wherever it pleases because sees the entire world as belonging to it. From its perspective, all of Creation exists under its control, so it feels no need to justify its actions. This reflects its arrogance and absolute sense of power.
28. "For the one path of my flight is direct" - Describe the one path of the hawk's flight.
Ans: The hawk describes its flight path as direct and uncompromising. It does not wander but cuts straight “through the bones of the living,” symbolising its ruthless purpose and absolute certainty.
29. How does the hawk assert its right to act as it does?
Ans: The hawk asserts its right to act as it does by stating that no arguments are needed. It declares that its authority comes from sheer power and instinct rather than reason or morality. With the sun behind it and nature seemingly supporting its dominance, the hawk believes its actions are unquestionable and absolute.
47. “And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.” What is the figure of speech used in this line?
Ans. The figure of speech used in this line is personification. The earth has been personified here as it faces upward like a human being.
48. What are the physical features that made the hawk an expert hunter?
Ans. The hawk has a hooked beak, hooked feet, sharp eyesight and light feathers. These are the physical features that made her an expert hunter.
49. Where are the hawk’s feet locked? What does it mean by this?
Ans. The hawk’s feet are locked upon the rough bark of a tree.
By these, he wants to mean he holds the tree by its strong grip. No force can move him against his will.
29. How does the hawk assert its right to act as it does?
Ans: The hawk asserts its right to act as it does by stating that no arguments are needed. It declares that its authority comes from sheer power and instinct rather than reason or morality. With the sun behind it and nature seemingly supporting its dominance, the hawk believes its actions are unquestionable and absolute.
30. Who is the speaker of the poem? What does it represent?
Ans: The speaker of the poem is a hawk, roosting (sitting) on a tree top of a forest.
The hawk represents power, control, and the ruthless aspects of nature.
31. 'I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.' - What does it mean to say by saying so?
or
'I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed.' - Who is the speaker? Why does he sit with his eyes closed?
Ans: The line shows the hawk’s supreme confidence and control. Its high perch is not just a top position of the wood, but it is implying that the hawk rules over everything beneath. It closes its eyes or rests fearlessly and believes that nothing can challenge its position.
32. Why does the speaker in the poem use first person point of view?
Ans: The use of first‑person narration makes the hawk’s voice sound like a personal declaration. By speaking as “I,” the hawk transforms into a symbol of raw instinct and absolute authority. This perspective places the reader inside the hawk’s mind, his arrogance and belief.
33. "The convenience of the high trees!" How are they convenient for him?
or
Why does the hawk state that his life is very convenient ?
Ans: The high trees are convenient for the hawk.
The high trees are convenient for him because from that height he takes advantage of the air's buoyancy and the sun's rays.
34. What are the advantages that the hawk mentions he possesses?
Ans: The hawk mentions that he enjoys the advantages of the high trees, the buoyancy of the air, and the sun’s rays. These elements help him to control his surroundings and show his power and dominance over nature.
35. What does the hawk inspect from above? How does the earth help him?
Ans: The hawk inspects the earth from above.
The earth helps him by always facing the sky upward, making it easy for the hawk to see and inspect it and to find his prey.
36. Where are the hawk's feet locked? What does it indicate?
Ans: The hawk’s feet are locked upon the rough bark of the tree. This indicates its strong grip and unshakable control over its position. It shows the hawk’s determination to hold its authority and keep a watchful eye from top.
37. How does the hawk describe his manners?
Ans: The hawk describes its manners are tearing off the heads of its pray. He says there is no sophistry in his body. It kills without hesitation and it does not pretend to be gentle. To him, brutal killing is simply his nature.
38. "The allotment of death." - What does it mean?
Ans: The hawk expresses that it kills the way it pleases because it believes it is the ruler of this world, and everything belongs to it. It kills its prey by tearing off its head which is its nature. The line shows the hawk's absolute authority over life and death.
39. "There is no sophistry in my body" - What does the hawk imply when he says that?
or
"There is no sophistry in my body"—explain.
or
What does the hawk say about his body? What does he want to indicate?
or
What does the hawk mean by "There is no sophistry in my body"?
Ans: With the line, the hawk wants to imply that it does not use tricks or lies to hide its nature of killing its prey by tearing off its head. The hawk means to indicate it is free to do whatever and however it pleases. It does not hide behind false justification. It does not feel guilt or remorse. The poet points out that the hawk is honest about its brutal nature, unlike humans who hide their cruelty behind lies.
40. What is the hawk's view of the world around it? / What is the attitude of the hawk?
Ans: The hawk views the world as his own possession. It believes it has the freedom to kill wherever it pleases. It believes that the world revolves around its powerful influence. This reflects its sense of absolute control and dominance over the world around it.
SIMILARLY,
Who is the “I” in the poem? How does the Hawk describe itself?
Ans: In the poem, "I" refers to the hawk.
> The previous answer/
42. "No arguments assert my right:" - Who says this? Why does he say this?
Ans: The hawk of the poem "Hawk Roosting" says this line.
>The hawk says this because it believes in its power and thinks it is its right to kill and that this rule does not need any argument or justification. The hawk feels that its strength proves its right to dominate over others, and therefore it does not need to explain or defend its actions.
43. "Nothing has changed since I began." - Who says this? What does he mean by "since I began"?
Ans: The hawk claims that nothing has changed since he began.
>By this line, "since I began", the hawk means since he came into existence or was born. He was born to kill and dominate over the world, and everything has remained the same. This line emphasises his endless, unchallenged power and dominance.
44. "Nothing has changed since I began." - What does this statement by the hawk say about his mentality?
Ans: The hawk means that since it was born and became the ruler of the world, nothing has changed. This statement reflects its pride, arrogance, and overconfidence in its power.
45. "My eyes has permitted no change." - What does the hawk mean by this statement?
Ans: The hawk says, "My eye has permitted no change", because it believes it has full control over nature. It thinks that nothing has changed since he begins because it watches everything carefully and does not allow anything to happen differently.
46. Discuss the significance of the poem's title.
Ans: The title "Hawk Roosting" is significant because it highlights the hawk's dominant position in nature. The poem opens with the hawk's perspective. The word 'roosting' means resting or sleeping . The hawk perches high, watching and ruling over everything below. The title reflects the hawk's pride, power, and sense of superiority.
47. “And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.” What is the figure of speech used in this line?
Ans. The figure of speech used in this line is personification. The earth has been personified here as it faces upward like a human being.
48. What are the physical features that made the hawk an expert hunter?
Ans. The hawk has a hooked beak, hooked feet, sharp eyesight and light feathers. These are the physical features that made her an expert hunter.
49. Where are the hawk’s feet locked? What does it mean by this?
Ans. The hawk’s feet are locked upon the rough bark of a tree.
By these, he wants to mean he holds the tree by its strong grip. No force can move him against his will.
50. ‘Now I hold Creation in my foot’—What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?
Ans. Through this line, the poet shows the hawk's confidence in its power, believing it controls creation that exists to support it. It expresses the hawk's dominance over everything like how power breeds arrogance and a belief in invincibility.
51. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting’? / Significance of the title.
Ans. The hawk was "roosting," or resting at the top of the wood. From there, it believes everything beneath its talons is under its control. The title is ironic because the hawk’s calm rest contrasts with its violent, arrogant nature.
52. The hawk sounds arrogant. - Discuss.
Ans. Sitting on the top of a tree, when the hawk looks down on the world beneath its feet, it believes everything belongs to it and that it can kill as it pleases. The hawk acts as the most powerful, like a god, which shows its arrogance.
Ans. Sitting on the top of a tree, when the hawk looks down on the world beneath its feet, it believes everything belongs to it and that it can kill as it pleases. The hawk acts as the most powerful, like a god, which shows its arrogance.
53. What does the poem signify with regards to the world around us?
Ans: The poem expresses the global hubris and fascism that exists now. The hawk indicates a person's desire to always be one step ahead of the competition.
54. What is the theme of the poem Hawk Roosting?
Answer: The central theme of the poem "Hawk Roosting" is the cruel side of nature, dominance, and control. Through the voice of Hawk, the poet expresses the darker instincts of humanity.
55. How does the hawk mock the god his creator?
Answer: The hawk mocks its creator by claiming that the world, its body, and strength were made for its own benefit. Sitting at the top of the tree, it imagines holding creation in its grasp like God, having suppressed everything beneath it.
56. Why does Hughes write from the perspective of an animal in this poem?
Ans. Ted Hughes wrote "Hawk Roosting" from the perspective of a hawk to give readers an insight into the mind of an animal. Through the hawk’s voice, the poet ironically expresses the cruel side of nature and the darker instincts of humanity.
57. How is the Hawk different from a human speaker?
Ans. The hawk is a predator. It lacks emotions and sentimentality, unlike a human. It does not hesitate to kill. The hawk acts on pure instinct and power. A human speaker, on the other hand, is guided by moral responsibility and empathy.
LONG Questions-Answers From "Hawk Roosting" (6 marks)
1. Comment on the physical features of the hawk highlighted in the poem and their significance.
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How does the poem emphasise the physical prowess of the hawk?
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Describe the physical features of the hawk that add to its lifestyle.
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How does the author pens down the physical appearance and power of the Hawk?
Ans: In the poem, the hawk is described as a true predator bird with a hooked head, hooked feet, locked talons, and sharp eyes. Even in sleep, it dreams of killing, because violence is not just an act but its very nature. The hawk is not guided by moral responsibility or empathy. These physical features show its raw savagery and brutal honesty. They give it a sense of control and power over the natural world. The hawk claims that God created these for its benefit, including the tall trees, sunlight, and the earth itself is for its advantage. It claims its flight and merciless killing need no justification. These features signify the hawk as a symbol of pure, instinctive power and ruthless efficiency.
2. Estimate ‘Hawk Roosting’ is a successful dramatic monologue.
Ans: Hawk Roosting is a dramatic monologue because the entire poem is spoken in the hawk’s own voice. The bird addresses us directly, sharing its thoughts and feelings without interruption from any other character. The readers become silent listeners. It speaks of its strength, sharp features, and belief that the world exists for its benefit, which shows its confidence and pride. This is the essence of a dramatic monologue, where the inner mind of one character is exposed. Through this speech, we understand the hawk’s personality in its own words. The poem successfully presents the hawk’s bold and powerful nature through its first‑person narrative, making it a proper dramatic monologue.
3. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting”?
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Discuss the significance of the title of the poem.
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Throw light on the aptness of the title of the poem. / Significance of the title.
Ans: The title "Hawk Roosting" shows the hawk’s pride and sense of power. At the opening of the poem, the hawk is “roosting” or resting on a high perch in the woods. This way it is claiming its top place in nature and looking down like a ruler over its own world. Roosting here is not just about rest, but the hawk shows that its complete control of its surroundings and kills according to his choice. Through the hawk’s dramatic monologue, it speaks about its strength as a fundamental part of its nature. We see its dominance as a predator, and how it believes everything around exists for its benefit. The title truly presents both the hawk’s physical power and its commanding presence in nature. This makes "Hawk Roosting" an apt title.
4. “There is no sophistry in my body’-this statement expresses the brutal frankness of the hawk. Does the poet suggest something through this statement?
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Discuss the significance of the title of the poem.
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Throw light on the aptness of the title of the poem. / Significance of the title.
Ans: The title "Hawk Roosting" shows the hawk’s pride and sense of power. At the opening of the poem, the hawk is “roosting” or resting on a high perch in the woods. This way it is claiming its top place in nature and looking down like a ruler over its own world. Roosting here is not just about rest, but the hawk shows that its complete control of its surroundings and kills according to his choice. Through the hawk’s dramatic monologue, it speaks about its strength as a fundamental part of its nature. We see its dominance as a predator, and how it believes everything around exists for its benefit. The title truly presents both the hawk’s physical power and its commanding presence in nature. This makes "Hawk Roosting" an apt title.
4. “There is no sophistry in my body’-this statement expresses the brutal frankness of the hawk. Does the poet suggest something through this statement?
Ans: The line “There is no sophistry in my body” shows the hawk’s brutal frankness. ‘Sophistry’ means deception or clever arguments. The hawk is direct about killing its prey by tearing off its head. The hawk says it does not pretend to be gentle. It does not hide behind false justification or moral argument like human. It does not feel guilt or remorse and acts purely on instinct. By saying this, the poet suggests that the hawk's actions are straightforward, guided only by natural power and survival. The hawk is honest about its brutal nature, unlike humans who hide their cruelty behind lies or excuses. The poet Ted Hughes uses this statement to highlight the hawk’s directness as a contrast to human hypocrisy.
5. What does the poem "Hawk Roosting" signify?
Ans: The poem "Hawk Roosting" signifies the themes of power, pride, and dominance. Through the hawk’s voice, Ted Hughes presents a bird that speaks with blunt honesty, claiming complete control over its surroundings. The hawk’s confidence, violence, and lack of remorse reflect the raw instincts of nature. These also serve as a metaphor for human arrogance and cruelty. Just as the hawk believes the world exists for its benefit, humans too are influenced by their arrogance and overconfidence. They forget humility and moral values, which they should uphold unlike the hawk. The poem reminds us that nature holds all the power. The image of the hawk expresses the negative side of nature, which often remains unnoticed. Hawk Roosting serves as a powerful reflection on instinct, supremacy, and the dangers of excessive pride.
6. “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?
or
“Now I hold Creation in my foot” explain the centrality of this assertion in the poem. What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?
or
What does the poet means by 'Now I hold the creation in my foot?
Ans: The line shows the hawk's confidence in its power and control. The hawk believes that creation exists to support it. The whole creation has shaped its perfect form to make it a dominating power of this world. The hawk believes it has surpassed creation and now controls it. To the hawk, by gripping the branch with its foot, metaphorically it is now holding Creation under its grip. It can kill as it wishes without pretence or justification because the world belongs to it. This reflects its arrogance and absolute sense of power. The line expresses the hawk's dominance over everything like how power breeds arrogance and a belief in invincibility. Through this statement, Ted Hughes suggests not only the hawk's supremacy in nature but also hints at human arrogance.
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?
or
What does the poet imply by the following lines?
-"The sun is behind me. Nothing has changed since I began, my eye has permitted no change, I am going to keep things like this."
Ans: In these lines, the hawk arrogantly expresses its confidence in its power and dominance. Calling itself the ruler of the world, the hawk declares that the sun is behind it. It means the sun, which is the source of life and light on earth, is supporting the hawk, giving it strength and authority. Moreover, the hawk claims that it will not allow any change in its control over the earth and will keep it as it is. Its sharp eyes will watch over the earth and control it. The hawk will continue to kill like before without moral justification and pretence. Through these lines the hawk expresses its determination to maintain absolute control forever.
8. The hawk has been personified in the poem ‘Hawk Roosting’-How does this literary device impact the reader’s understanding of the poem?
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Explain the Hubris nature of the hawk in the poem "Hawk Roosting"?
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Discuss the narcissistic personality of the hawk.
Ans: In the poem, "Hawk Roosting" the poet gives the hawk a human-like voice and thoughts to help readers directly understand its arrogance and ruthless mindset. Personification makes the hawk's character more vivid and striking. The hawk, perched on a high tree branch, thinks itself to be the ruler of the world. It dreams of murdering and eating its prey showing no guilt or pretence in its violence. It thinks that the nature and his perfect features work in its favour. The dramatic monologue or first-person point of view shows the hawk’s narcissistic traits—its pride, dominance, and belief in invincibility. By personifying the hawk, Hughes makes the poem a powerful reflection on both natural instinct and human cruelty.
9. Draw a comparison between the hawk in the poem and the humans.
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Bring out the parallel suggested between the predatory instincts of the bird and human behaviour.
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“Now I hold Creation in my foot” explain the centrality of this assertion in the poem. What makes the hawk’s assertion of its invincibility so categorical?
or
What does the poet means by 'Now I hold the creation in my foot?
Ans: The line shows the hawk's confidence in its power and control. The hawk believes that creation exists to support it. The whole creation has shaped its perfect form to make it a dominating power of this world. The hawk believes it has surpassed creation and now controls it. To the hawk, by gripping the branch with its foot, metaphorically it is now holding Creation under its grip. It can kill as it wishes without pretence or justification because the world belongs to it. This reflects its arrogance and absolute sense of power. The line expresses the hawk's dominance over everything like how power breeds arrogance and a belief in invincibility. Through this statement, Ted Hughes suggests not only the hawk's supremacy in nature but also hints at human arrogance.
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?
or
What does the poet imply by the following lines?
-"The sun is behind me. Nothing has changed since I began, my eye has permitted no change, I am going to keep things like this."
Ans: In these lines, the hawk arrogantly expresses its confidence in its power and dominance. Calling itself the ruler of the world, the hawk declares that the sun is behind it. It means the sun, which is the source of life and light on earth, is supporting the hawk, giving it strength and authority. Moreover, the hawk claims that it will not allow any change in its control over the earth and will keep it as it is. Its sharp eyes will watch over the earth and control it. The hawk will continue to kill like before without moral justification and pretence. Through these lines the hawk expresses its determination to maintain absolute control forever.
8. The hawk has been personified in the poem ‘Hawk Roosting’-How does this literary device impact the reader’s understanding of the poem?
or
Explain the Hubris nature of the hawk in the poem "Hawk Roosting"?
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Discuss the narcissistic personality of the hawk.
Ans: In the poem, "Hawk Roosting" the poet gives the hawk a human-like voice and thoughts to help readers directly understand its arrogance and ruthless mindset. Personification makes the hawk's character more vivid and striking. The hawk, perched on a high tree branch, thinks itself to be the ruler of the world. It dreams of murdering and eating its prey showing no guilt or pretence in its violence. It thinks that the nature and his perfect features work in its favour. The dramatic monologue or first-person point of view shows the hawk’s narcissistic traits—its pride, dominance, and belief in invincibility. By personifying the hawk, Hughes makes the poem a powerful reflection on both natural instinct and human cruelty.
9. Draw a comparison between the hawk in the poem and the humans.
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Bring out the parallel suggested between the predatory instincts of the bird and human behaviour.
Ans: In Hawk Roosting, Ted Hughes uses the hawk as a symbol to reflect human behaviour. The hawk’s predatory instincts—its arrogance, violence, and belief in absolute control—mirror the way humans often act toward others and their environment. Just as the hawk claims that creation exists to serve it, humans too frequently see themselves as rulers of the world, driven by pride, ego, and the desire to dominate. The hawk kills without guilt or justification, guided purely by instinct, while humans often hide their cruelty behind excuses or false reasoning. Both the hawk and humans reveal a narcissistic tendency to place themselves at the centre of existence, forgetting humility and moral responsibility. Through this parallel, Hughes suggests that unchecked power breeds arrogance, whether in nature or in human society, and warns against the dangers of believing in invincibility.
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