The Windhover
Poetry
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Gerard Manley Hopkins
The Windhover Poem
The Windhover
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
To Christ our Lord
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I caught this morning morning's minion, king-
dom of daylight's dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
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:...
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The Windhover Key Info
Key Facts
Author: Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)
Title of the Author: English poet and Jesuit priest
Full Title: The Windhover: To Christ our Lord
Total Lines: 14 lines.
Stanza: 1 stanza, but the structure has 2 parts: Octave and Sestet.
Genre: Poetry
Published Date: 1918 (posthumously)
Written Date: 1877
Form: Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet
Meter: Sprung rhythm.
Rhyme Schem...
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The Windhover Summary
Octave (Lines 1–8) – The Beauty and Flight of the Bird: At the beginning of the poem, the poet says he sees a falcon in the morning. This bird is flying beautifully, very high in the sky. The poet calls it the “morning’s minion” — meaning the beloved bird of the morning. He also calls it “kingdom of daylight’s dauphin” — meaning the prince of the daytime. In this way, the poet gives royal honor to...
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The Windhover Themes
Spiritual Glory and Divine Beauty: The falcon represents Christ and God’s glory. Its flight shows the power, beauty, and sacrifice of the divine. The poem teaches that God’s presence is in nature’s wonders.
Control and Mastery Over Life: The falcon’s perfect control of its flight symbolizes strength, courage, and mastery over difficulties. It shows how one can face life’s challenges with power and...
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The Windhover Character
The Speaker: The speaker is the poet himself, Gerard Manley Hopkins. He watches a bird flying in the sky. He feels deep emotion and sees the bird as a sign of Christ’s glory. His words show wonder, faith, and spiritual joy.
The Windhover (Falcon): The windhover is a type of falcon. It flies high in the sky with great skill and beauty. The poet sees it as more than a bird. It becomes a symbol of po...
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The Windhover Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Alliteration: Hopkins uses the repetition of consonant sounds to make the poem musical and lively. For example, in “dapple-dawn-drawn,” the repeated ‘d’ sound adds rhythm and energy.
Metaphor: The falcon is a metaphor for Christ. Its flight shows divine power and beauty. The bird is not just a bird but a symbol of spiritual strength.
Personification: Hopkins gives human qu...
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Notes
Explore 4 detailed notes related to The Windhover. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.