Chapter 9 – Hawk Roosting Solutions

Content Structure

1. About the author – Ted Hughes
2. Summary of the Hawk Roosting
3. Word meanings
4. Exercises solutions
5. Additional Questions and Answers
- 5A. Short Questions and answers
- 5B. Long Questions and Answers

1. About the author – Ted Hughes

Edward James ‘Ted’ Hughes was an English poet born on August 17, 1930. His poems describe nature, animals, and deep human thoughts. He served as the Poet Laureate of Great Britain from 1984 until his death. In his poetry, he describes the magical experience of a young child in an oakwood and shows that human beings and trees should thrive as a single family. His famous books include Birthday Letters, The Hawk in the Rain, and Tales from Ovid. He died in 1998.

2. Summary of the Hawk Roosting

In the poem, the speaker is a hawk that sits at the top of a tree with its eyes closed, silently observing the world with complete awareness. It looks still and calm on the outside, but the hawk remains fully alert and watchful at all times. The hawk enjoys the fresh air, the warm sunlight, and the advantage of sitting high in the tree, which gives it a clear view of everything below. It sees itself as the ruler of the world and believes that all creatures and the natural world exist to serve or be hunted by it. Its calm nature gives it strong control over its body, symbolizing its power over life and death. The hawk’s sharp claws and feathers reflect its powerful and ruling character. It believes it has the right to everything and hunts without needing to explain its actions or feel guilt. At the end of the poem, the hawk says that nothing has changed since the beginning and that everything remains the same, shown by its sharp eyes and strong confidence.

3. Word meanings

Word	Meaning
Inaction	No action
Falsifying dream	False dream
Rehearse	Practice
Convenience	Something that is easy and useful
Buoyancy	The ability to float or rise in air or water
Inspection	Looking at something carefully to check it
Sophistry	False argument
Allotment	Share
Assert my right	To strongly say or show that you have a right to something

4. Exercises solutions

1. Comment on the physical features and prowess of the hawk. Discuss their significance. (6 marks)
Ans: The poet presents the hawk as a powerful ruler that dominates the entire world. It has a hooked beak, sharp claws, strong wings, and piercing eyes, all of which help it hunt and kill without hesitation or explanation. The hawk takes pride in its physical strength, which symbolizes its control over life and death. Its body reflects pride, confidence, and control in every part, clearly showing that it sees itself as stronger and more important than all other creatures in nature.

2. Discuss the significance of the title of the poem. (2 marks)
Ans: The title Hawk Roosting is powerful and meaningful because it shows the hawk resting at the top of a tree while observing and controlling everything in nature. The word roosting suggests calmness and confidence, showing that the hawk feels powerful even while it is resting. This idea clearly connects to the main theme of the poem, which is the hawk’s pride, strength, and desire to control.

3. What does the poet means by ‘Now I hold the creation in my foot’? (2 marks)
Ans: The line “Now I hold the creation in my foot” expresses the hawk’s belief that it has complete power over the natural world. It sees itself as the ruler, with everything in nature existing for its use. This line highlights the hawk’s pride in its strength and its sense of control over life and death. It also shows a kind of cruelty, as the hawk feels no guilt in holding such power with confidence and control.

5. Additional Questions and Answers

5A. Short Questions and answers

1. What does the hawk’s grip on the bark symbolize?
Ans: The hawk’s tight grip on the tree bark shows its strong control and steady power. It never lets go of its rule or authority.

2. What does the hawk mean by ‘revolve it all slowly’?
Ans: It means the hawk can fly above the world and watch everything calmly and carefully. It enjoys its control over the earth below.

3. How does the hawk describe its manners, and what does this suggest?
Ans: The hawk says its manners are “tearing off heads.” This means violence is natural to it. It feels no shame — it sees killing as normal.

4. What is the mental state of the hawk as it perches on the tree with closed eyes?
Ans: The hawk is calm and confident feels so powerful that it can rest without fear, knowing it controls everything.

5. Explain the phrase “my eyes closed.”
Ans: It means the hawk is resting but still feels safe and in charge even with closed eyes, it is confident of its strength.

6. What is the meaning of ‘roosting’? Where and how does the hawk roost?
Ans: “Roosting” means sitting or resting on a high place. The hawk rests on a tall tree, quietly watching everything below.

7. What physical attributes of the hawk assert its predatory nature?
Ans: The hawk has sharp claws, a hooked beak, strong wings, and sharp eyes. These make it a perfect hunter.

8. What does the hawk rehearse? Why?
Ans: It rehearses hunting and killing in its mind to stay ready and alert shows its constant control and focus on survival.

9. What are some environmental comforts that the hawk experiences while hunting?
Ans: The hawk enjoys tall trees, clear skies, sunlight, and wind that help it move and hunt easily.

10. Why does the hawk believe nature serves him?
Ans: It thinks that air, sun, and trees all exist to help it rule and survive, showing its arrogance.

11. “I kill where I please because it is all mine.” – What does this reveal?
Ans: It shows the hawk’s pride and belief that the world is its property, so killing is its right.

12. What does the hawk consider to be his natural right?
Ans: It believes that hunting, killing, and ruling are its natural rights as the strongest bird.

13. Why does the hawk say, “There is no sophistry in my body”?
Ans: It means it does not pretend or use fancy ideas its power is simple, real, and natural.

14. How is the arrogance of the hawk described throughout the poem?
Ans: The hawk keeps saying “I,” showing pride believes it owns everything and cannot be challenged.

15. What does the repeated use of personal pronouns show?
Ans: Words like “I,” “me,” and “mine” show selfishness, pride, and complete self-focus. The hawk only thinks about its own power.

16. How does the poem Hawk Roosting end?
Ans: It ends with the hawk proudly declaring its eternal rule. The tone is strong and final, showing its unshakable pride.

17. What writing style did Hughes use in this poem?
Ans: Ted Hughes used a dramatic monologue in simple, direct language. The hawk speaks in short, powerful lines showing its thoughts and pride.

18. What is the tone of the poem?
Ans: The tone is proud, commanding, and serious reflects strength, control, and the hawk’s belief in its greatness.

19. What idea does the poem express about nature?
Ans: The poem shows that nature is powerful, sometimes cruel, and works by the rule of survival — the strongest control the weak.

20. What moral or lesson can be learned from the poem?
Ans: The poem teaches that too much pride and desire for control can be dangerous. Power should be used wisely, not for arrogance or domination.

5B. Long Questions and Answers

1. Why is the poem entitled ‘Hawk Roosting’?
Ans: The title “Hawk Roosting” means a hawk resting on a tree branch. But even while resting, the hawk’s mind is filled with pride and power. The calm setting contrasts with the fierce thoughts inside its mind. The title shows that even in stillness, the hawk thinks about control, rule, and strength — just like powerful people who may appear calm but are always aware of their authority.

2. What does the poem suggest about the relationship between nature and violence?
Ans: The poem presents nature as both beautiful and violent. The hawk shows that killing is not evil in nature it is simply part of survival. Lines like “My manners are tearing off heads” show that the hawk accepts violence as normal. Ted Hughes uses this to challenge the idea that nature is peaceful; instead, he shows that life and death are deeply connected, and violence is part of nature’s order.

3. How does the hawk view change, and what does this suggest about its worldview?
Ans: The hawk believes that nothing should ever change. It says, “Nothing has changed since I began,” showing that it sees the world as perfect under its control. The hawk’s refusal to allow change reflects a rigid and proud nature. It fears losing power, so it resists any shift or movement. This symbolizes how those in authority often reject change to maintain their dominance.

4. “Are of advantage to me;” – What are the advantages provided by nature that the hawk enjoys?
Ans: The hawk believes that everything in nature benefits it. The air, the trees, the prey, and the sunlight all help it to live and rule. The hawk sees nature as something made for its convenience. However, Ted Hughes uses this to show how power can turn appreciation into arrogance — when one starts to believe that everything exists only for them. The hawk’s attitude reflects how humans also exploit nature selfishly.

5. What is a ‘dramatic monologue’? How is Hawk Roostingan example of it?
Ans: A dramatic monologue is a poem where one character speaks directly to the reader, revealing their personality and thoughts. Hawk Roosting is a perfect example because the hawk itself speaks in the first person. Through its voice, we understand its arrogance, strength, and control. Ted Hughes personifies the hawk, giving it human thoughts and pride. This helps the reader see the hawk as both an animal and a symbol of human power.

6. Analyse the title of the poem Hawk Roosting.
Ans: The title “Hawk Roosting” is simple but powerful. It shows a hawk resting high in the woods — but even while resting, its mind is full of thoughts of dominance. “Roosting” suggests stillness, but the hawk’s inner voice reveals control, pride, and superiority. The title perfectly fits the poem because the hawk’s resting place symbolizes its position at the top — of the tree, of nature, and of power.

7. Write a short note on the central idea of the poem.
Ans: The poem shows the mindset of a powerful hawk that believes it rules the world. It stands for both natural power and human pride. The hawk represents those who think they are supreme and beyond rules. Ted Hughes uses it to show that power can be beautiful but also dangerous when mixed with arrogance. The central idea is about dominance, control, and the fine line between natural authority and tyranny.

8. Write about the use of imagery in Hawk Roosting.
Ans: Ted Hughes uses clear, strong images to make the hawk’s power come alive. The “hooked head,” “locked feet,” and “tearing off heads” create a picture of deadly strength. “The sun is behind me” gives the hawk divine power. These images make readers feel both awe and fear. Through such imagery, Hughes shows the hawk as a symbol of pure, natural dominance and human pride.

9. Who is the speaker of the poem and why does Hughes write from an animal’s perspective?
Ans: The speaker is the hawk itself. Hughes writes from the hawk’s point of view to show the world through pure, instinctive power — without human emotion. By using an animal voice, he can explore ideas like control and authority honestly, without moral confusion. The hawk represents those who rule fearlessly and believe they are perfect. This helps the reader see both the beauty and danger of such power.

10. “Now I hold Creation in my foot” — explain this statement.
Ans: The hawk feels that the world exists beneath its claws literally and symbolically. It believes it rules over everything. This line shows its extreme pride and how easily power turns into arrogance. The hawk thinks of itself as divine, unable to be challenged. It mirrors the mindset of those in power who see themselves as gods.

11. Why is the poem titled “Hawk Roosting”?
Ans: The poem’s title fits perfectly because the hawk’s thoughts and pride come from its position of roosting sitting high up, resting yet ruling. From this height, it looks down on the world it thinks it owns. The title shows calmness on the outside but a fierce mind within the nature of power itself.

12. How does the poem link the hawk’s instincts with human behaviour?
Ans: The hawk’s killing instinct is compared to human hunger for control. Just as the hawk kills by nature, humans destroy and dominate out of greed. The hawk’s blind pride is like human arrogance. Both believe they are supreme. Hughes uses this connection to remind us how power, when unchecked, can lead to downfall.