Hawk Roosting Analysis

Dogs, man’s best friend. The loyal companion who is unpredictable, yet shows more care to his master than itself. Hawks, the complete opposite. The deadly, arrogant creature that kills because it is his nature. The poems “Golden Retrievals” and “Hawk Roosting” illustrate the particular differences between the two animals. Through the tone and stanza structure (syntax), the contrasting dispositions of the dog and the hawk are revealed.
In the poem, “Golden Retrievals”, there is a compassionate tone. Although the dog lives in the present and his attention revolves around many objects, he ultimately shows concern for his master. The dog acknowledges his master’s problem, which is being “sunk in the past” or being in “some fog concerning… tomorrow”; the dog wants his master to be happy and feels responsible for his well-being. The dog’s job is to “unsnare time’s warp” that his master is stuck in. The dog barks in order to bring his owner back to the present. The ability to recognize his master’s sadness, shows the dog’s empathy and love. In the poem, “Hawk Roosting”, there is a more egotistical tone. The hawk views himself above all other creatures, literally and metaphorically. The hawk “sit[s] in the top of the wood” and it is very convenient that he is in the “high trees”. With such view, he is …show more content…
The dog is more compassionate and unpredictable. His attention is divided until his mind think of owner, showing his care of his “friend”. The dog is not perfect and he always looks up to his owner, representing his loyalty. The hawk is more arrogant and self-centered. His attention goes strictly to himself and his premeditated kills. He considers himself and perfect, with no falseness of any kind within him. The hawk is so high in the air that everything looks up to him, even the Earth’s surface. He views himself above everything, and has the ability to kill whenever he