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"Roe dear" is a poem written by British poet Ted Hughes.

The poem employs a number of


literary devices to create vivid imagery and convey complex emotions.

1. Metaphor: The poem is filled with metaphors that help the reader understand the
speaker's feelings towards the roe deer. For example, the line "Your eye-mirrors blink.
What are you dreaming?" compares the deer's eyes to mirrors, suggesting that they
reflect the world around them. This metaphor helps to emphasize the deer's innocence
and vulnerability.
2. Personification: The poem also personifies the roe deer, giving it human-like
qualities. For example, the line "You, who were coming to meet me in human guise"
suggests that the deer was intentionally seeking out the speaker. This personification
serves to emphasize the speaker's connection to the natural world.
3. Imagery: Hughes uses rich, sensory imagery throughout the poem to create a vivid
picture of the deer and its surroundings. For example, the line "I saw your tangled
undergrowth of antlers" creates a vivid image of the deer's antlers, which are
described as being "tangled" and reminiscent of undergrowth in a forest.
4. Symbolism: The roe deer itself can be seen as a symbol for innocence and purity, as
well as a reminder of the fragility of nature. The poem's title itself uses the word "roe"
which is often used in literature to symbolize grace and gentleness.
5. Allusion: The poem alludes to Greek mythology, specifically the story of Diana, the
goddess of the hunt. The line "you, who were coming to meet me in human guise / As
Diana herself had come down" suggests that the speaker sees the roe deer as a divine
presence, much like the goddess Diana in mythology.
6. Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "What are you thinking" throughout the poem
creates a sense of urgency and curiosity. This repetition also emphasizes the speaker's
desire to understand the roe deer and its inner workings.

Overall, the use of these literary devices helps to create a complex and multifaceted portrait
of the roe deer, while also conveying the speaker's emotional response to encountering such a
creature in the wild.

Ted Hughes' poem "Roe Deer" explores the theme of human and animal
interconnectedness, and the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

The speaker encounters a roe deer in the forest and is struck by the
creature's beauty and innocence. The deer is described as "coming to meet
me in human guise," suggesting a connection between the animal and the
speaker. However, the poem also acknowledges the fragility of the natural
world and the potential for harm to come to the deer. The speaker wonders
if the deer is dreaming of "cars, of motorised heartless death," a reminder
of the danger that humans pose to the natural world.

Ultimately, the poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the importance of
preserving it. The roe deer is described as "sacred," and the speaker's
encounter with it is depicted as a spiritual experience. The poem suggests
that humans and animals are interconnected and that our actions can have
a profound impact on the natural world.

In conclusion, the message of "Roe Deer" is one of reverence for the natural
world and a call to protect and preserve it. Through vivid imagery and rich
language, Hughes encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty and
fragility of the world around us, and to consider our place within it.

The poem "Roe Deer" by Ted Hughes creates a mood of awe and wonder, a
tone of reverence and a sense of melancholy. The speaker's encounter with
the roe deer is depicted as a spiritual experience, evoking a sense of awe
and wonder. This is reflected in the language and imagery used throughout
the poem. For example, the speaker describes the deer's eyes as "eye-
mirrors" and refers to its antlers as a "tangled undergrowth." These
descriptions create a vivid, almost mystical atmosphere that underscores
the speaker's reverence for the deer.

At the same time, the poem also conveys a sense of melancholy and
unease. The speaker is aware of the danger that humans pose to the
natural world, and wonders if the deer is dreaming of "motorised heartless
death." This acknowledgement of the fragility of the natural world creates a
sense of tension and unease that undercuts the poem's more mystical
elements.

Overall, the poem's mood is one of wonder and reverence, while its tone is
one of respect and appreciation for the natural world. The poem's
atmosphere is a complex mix of awe, melancholy, and tension, reflecting
the speaker's complex emotions as he encounters the roe deer in the forest.
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"Roe Deer" is a poem that evokes a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world. The
speaker's encounter with the roe deer is depicted as a mystical experience, one that
underscores the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The poem's language and imagery
are rich and evocative, creating a vivid portrait of the deer and its surroundings.

At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the danger that humans pose to the natural
world. The speaker wonders if the deer is dreaming of "motorised heartless death," a
reminder of the impact that humans have on the environment. This acknowledgement of the
fragility of the natural world creates a sense of melancholy that underscores the poem's
themes.

Overall, "Roe Deer" is a powerful poem that encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and
fragility of the natural world, while also acknowledging our role in preserving it. Its mix of
wonder, reverence, and melancholy creates a complex emotional landscape that is likely to
resonate with readers who are concerned about the environment and our impact on it.
Regenerate response

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