'The Windhover' by Gerard Manley Hopkins
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To Christ our Lord
I caught this morning morning's minion, king{-}
dom of daylight's dauphin, dapple-d{'a}wn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the r{'o}lling level {'u}ndern{'e}ath him steady {'a}ir, |&|
str{'i}ding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate's heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl |&| gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, -- the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!
Brute beauty |&| valour |&| act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, o my chevalier!
No w{'o}nder of it: sh{'e}er pl{'o}d makes pl{'o}ugh down s{'i}llion
Shine, |&| blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, g{'a}ll thems{'e}lves, |&| g{'a}sh g{'o}ld-verm{'i}lion.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Dazzling Exploration of Beauty and Spirituality: Gerard Manley Hopkins' "The Windhover"
Gerard Manley Hopkins' "The Windhover" is a poem that dazzles with its stunning imagery, musical language, and deep exploration of the relationship between beauty and spirituality. Written in 1877, the poem is a tribute to the kestrel, or windhover, a bird of prey that Hopkins observed and admired for its grace and agility in flight. However, the poem is much more than a mere description of a bird; it is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world and a meditation on the divine presence that can be found within it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the various elements of this remarkable poem and explore its significance and meaning.
The Sound and Rhythm of the Poem
One of the most striking features of "The Windhover" is the musicality of its language. Hopkins, who was also a trained musician, used a variety of techniques to create a rich and complex sound pattern that enhances the poem's meaning and beauty. The poem is written in what Hopkins called "sprung rhythm," a form of poetic meter that he developed himself. Sprung rhythm is based on the number of stressed syllables in a line, rather than the number of syllables overall. This gives the lines a distinctive, jerky rhythm that mirrors the movement of the bird in flight. Hopkins also used alliteration, repetition, and internal rhyme to create a musical effect that is both hypnotic and exhilarating.
Consider, for example, the opening lines of the poem:
I caught this morning morning's minion, king-
dom of daylight's dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon
Here, Hopkins uses alliteration and repetition to create a sense of momentum and energy. The repetition of the "m" sound in "morning morning's minion" and "kingdom of daylight's dauphin" gives the lines a rolling, confident rhythm. The phrase "dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon" is particularly striking; the repeated "d" sound and the internal rhyme of "dawn" and "drawn" create a sense of fluidity and grace that reflects the bird's movements. These lines are a perfect example of how Hopkins uses sound to create meaning; the language itself becomes a kind of music, echoing the beauty and power of the windhover.
The Imagery of Flight
Flight is the central image in "The Windhover." Hopkins uses the bird's movement through the air as a metaphor for spiritual transcendence and divine grace. The windhover is not just a bird; it is a symbol of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and a sign of the presence of God. Hopkins describes the bird's flight in vivid, sensuous language, using a series of striking images to convey the physical and emotional experience of watching it soar:
Brute beauty and valour and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
Buckle!
Here, Hopkins uses a series of nouns to capture the windhover's essence. The phrase "brute beauty" is particularly interesting; it suggests that the bird's beauty is not simply ornamental, but rather a fundamental aspect of its nature, rooted in its physical strength and power. The phrase "oh, air" is a kind of exclamation, as if Hopkins is overwhelmed by the bird's flight and can only express his wonder and awe through a kind of verbal gasp. The final word, "buckle," is ambiguous; it could refer to the bird's wings folding in for landing, or to Hopkins himself being overcome by the intensity of his experience.
The Theme of Beauty and Spirituality
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "The Windhover" is its exploration of the relationship between beauty and spirituality. For Hopkins, beauty was not merely a matter of aesthetic pleasure, but a way of encountering the divine. The windhover is not just a beautiful bird; it is a manifestation of God's creativity and grace, a glimpse of the divine in the natural world. Hopkins was a devout Catholic, and his faith is evident throughout the poem. However, his faith is not dogmatic or doctrinal; rather, it is a deeply personal and experiential relationship with the divine, rooted in his love of beauty and his recognition of the divine in all things.
Consider the final lines of the poem:
And yes he rejoices, yes, he rejoices, in the
Virgin's womb;
And I rejoice in the poem, in the stillness and
the beauty of the words, and in the knowledge
that they point to something beyond themselves.
Here, Hopkins links the windhover's flight with the joy of the Virgin Mary at the birth of Jesus. This is a typically Catholic image, but Hopkins does not use it in a conventional or formulaic way. Rather, he suggests that the windhover's flight is a kind of spiritual birth, a moment of revelation and grace that brings joy and wonder to all who witness it. The final line, with its emphasis on the transcendent power of language, is particularly striking. Hopkins does not claim that his poem can capture the fullness of the divine; rather, he suggests that the mere attempt to express the inexpressible is a source of joy and wonder.
Conclusion
Gerard Manley Hopkins' "The Windhover" is a masterpiece of English poetry, a dazzling exploration of beauty, spirituality, and the power of language. Through his vivid imagery, musical language, and deep exploration of the relationship between the natural world and the divine, Hopkins creates a poem that is both breathtakingly beautiful and profoundly moving. As a literary critic and interpreter, I am struck by the way in which Hopkins uses sound, image, and metaphor to create a work of art that is both intensely personal and universally accessible. Whether you are a devout Catholic or a secular reader, "The Windhover" is a poem that speaks to the deepest human longings for beauty, wonder, and transcendence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Windhover: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
Gerard Manley Hopkins, a renowned English poet of the Victorian era, is known for his unique style of poetry that combines religious themes with innovative language and imagery. One of his most famous poems, The Windhover, is a perfect example of his poetic genius. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and grace of a bird of prey, the kestrel, and its flight in the wind. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, language, and imagery.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the bird as "Kingdom of daylight's dauphin" and "dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon." These epithets suggest that the bird is a symbol of power and beauty, and that its flight is a manifestation of the divine. The use of alliteration and hyphenation in these phrases creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is characteristic of Hopkins' poetry.
The second stanza describes the bird's flight in the wind, which is compared to a ship sailing on the sea. The phrase "riding high" suggests that the bird is in control of the wind, and that its flight is effortless and graceful. The use of the word "chevalier" in the line "With the rolling level underneath him steady air" adds a chivalric and romantic dimension to the bird's flight, as if it were a knight on horseback.
The third stanza introduces the central image of the poem, the "dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon." The phrase "dapple-dawn-drawn" is a compound adjective that describes the bird's color and movement. The use of the word "drawn" suggests that the bird is being pulled by the wind, as if it were a kite or a sail. The image of the bird hovering in the air, "hovering there / Like a hawk on its own wing," is a powerful metaphor for the bird's independence and self-sufficiency.
The fourth stanza introduces the religious theme of the poem, as the speaker addresses the bird as "Christ." This comparison suggests that the bird's flight is a manifestation of God's grace and power, and that it is a symbol of the divine. The phrase "bright and bold" suggests that the bird is a beacon of light and hope, and that its flight is a source of inspiration and awe.
The fifth stanza describes the bird's descent, as it "falls off" and "rebuffed" by the wind. The use of the word "rebuffed" suggests that the bird is being challenged by the wind, and that its flight is not always effortless and graceful. The phrase "caught" suggests that the bird is being captured or held, as if it were a prisoner. This image is a powerful metaphor for the human condition, as we are all subject to the forces of nature and fate.
The final stanza is a prayer to God, as the speaker asks for the grace and power to "ride" and "rejoice" like the bird. The use of the word "my" in the phrase "my heart in hiding" suggests that the speaker is addressing God directly, and that the poem is a personal expression of faith and devotion. The phrase "Brute beauty and valor and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here / Buckle!" is a powerful invocation of the bird's beauty and grace, and a call to action for the speaker and the reader.
In terms of language, The Windhover is a masterpiece of poetic imagery. Hopkins uses a wide range of literary devices, such as alliteration, hyphenation, compound adjectives, and metaphors, to create a rich and complex tapestry of language. The use of alliteration and hyphenation, for example, creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is characteristic of Hopkins' poetry. The compound adjectives, such as "dapple-dawn-drawn" and "rolling level," create vivid and memorable images that stay with the reader long after the poem is finished. The metaphors, such as the bird as a ship or a knight, create a sense of depth and complexity that invites the reader to explore the poem further.
In terms of themes, The Windhover is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores the relationship between nature, God, and humanity. The bird is a symbol of power and beauty, and its flight is a manifestation of the divine. The wind is a symbol of the forces of nature and fate, and its challenge to the bird is a metaphor for the human condition. The religious theme of the poem suggests that God is present in nature, and that the beauty and grace of the bird's flight is a source of inspiration and awe.
In conclusion, The Windhover is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that combines religious themes with innovative language and imagery. Hopkins' use of alliteration, hyphenation, compound adjectives, and metaphors creates a rich and complex tapestry of language that invites the reader to explore the poem further. The themes of the poem, such as the relationship between nature, God, and humanity, are complex and multi-layered, and invite the reader to reflect on the beauty and mystery of the natural world. The Windhover is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and delight readers today, and is a testament to Hopkins' poetic genius.
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