Common Themes of Fear and Admiration in the Poems, Pikes, and Hunting Snake
Explore how the poets Ted Hughes and Judith Wright convey their feelings of admiration and fear in their poems ‘Pikes’ and ‘Hunting Snake’ Pike and Hunting Snakes are unusual topics to be discussed with an admirational tone. They are fierce and violent animals but in the poems ‘Pike’ written by Ted Hughes and
‘Hunting Snake’ written by Judith Wright, they are discussed with admiration and high regard.
Both poets observe the beauty and allurement of these animals who have killer instincts and an aggressive nature.
In Hughes’ poem ‘Pike’ he uses paradox to highlight the pikes beauty and sense of threat, in the introductory four stanzas. He uses highly praising adjectives such as ‘grandeur’,
‘gold’, ‘emerald’ and ‘delicacy’ to portray the beauty, majesty and fragility of pike. The words
‘emerald’ and ‘gold’ seem to illustrate Hughes’ very high regard for an animal that is treasured and cherished, almost depicted as royalty. However a more violent, dark and negative mood is juxtaposed with the words ‘malevolent’, ‘gloom’ and ‘silhouette’ suggesting the darker and more daunting personality pike process. ‘Gloom’ and ‘silhouette’ seem to highlight that they are always lingering around, waiting for their chance to strike down their prey. The word
‘Tigering’ seems to be implying the pike’s fierce and brutal hunting style, making it seem sinister and corrupt in nature. It seems that Hughes looks very highly upon pike but is at the same time terrified by them; he captures his fear and admiration with the immensely varied adjectives from ‘perfect’ to ‘horror’. While he marvels in their beauty he is also equally intrigued by their violence and ferocity.
The same technique of juxtaposition is used in the poem ‘Hunting Snake’ to emphasise the enchanting but fierce quality of hunting snake. Words like ‘great black’,
‘hunting’, ‘prey’ and ‘fierce intent’ make the snake seem dangerous and devious. Wright uses these adjectives to engrave a treaturous vision
‘Hunting Snake’ written by Judith Wright, they are discussed with admiration and high regard.
Both poets observe the beauty and allurement of these animals who have killer instincts and an aggressive nature.
In Hughes’ poem ‘Pike’ he uses paradox to highlight the pikes beauty and sense of threat, in the introductory four stanzas. He uses highly praising adjectives such as ‘grandeur’,
‘gold’, ‘emerald’ and ‘delicacy’ to portray the beauty, majesty and fragility of pike. The words
‘emerald’ and ‘gold’ seem to illustrate Hughes’ very high regard for an animal that is treasured and cherished, almost depicted as royalty. However a more violent, dark and negative mood is juxtaposed with the words ‘malevolent’, ‘gloom’ and ‘silhouette’ suggesting the darker and more daunting personality pike process. ‘Gloom’ and ‘silhouette’ seem to highlight that they are always lingering around, waiting for their chance to strike down their prey. The word
‘Tigering’ seems to be implying the pike’s fierce and brutal hunting style, making it seem sinister and corrupt in nature. It seems that Hughes looks very highly upon pike but is at the same time terrified by them; he captures his fear and admiration with the immensely varied adjectives from ‘perfect’ to ‘horror’. While he marvels in their beauty he is also equally intrigued by their violence and ferocity.
The same technique of juxtaposition is used in the poem ‘Hunting Snake’ to emphasise the enchanting but fierce quality of hunting snake. Words like ‘great black’,
‘hunting’, ‘prey’ and ‘fierce intent’ make the snake seem dangerous and devious. Wright uses these adjectives to engrave a treaturous vision