Introduction - "Megalith-still" is a phrase that appears in the starting lines of the poem

“Horses”. It is a powerful meditation on the strength of the Horses. It describes the ten horses
that the narrator encounters on the moor. "megalith" refers to a large, prehistoric stone
structure. The Horses are seen as immovable, solid, and monumental, like ancient stone
constructions that have withstood the test of time. "Still" emphasizes the immobility of the
horses, indicating that they are standing completely motionless. This creates a sense of stillness
and silence in the poem. Through the clever use of striking imagery, a theme of stillness, and a
carefully crafted form and structure, Hughes masterfully presents a vivid and unique portrayal of
the Horses.

Paragraph 1 - Theme

Topic Sentence - The use of the theme of stillness has left a strong impact on the readers’
minds.

Evidence -
1) "They breathed, making no move,”
2) “Detail leafed from the darkness”
3) “Red levelling rays "

Point -
1) Inactive
2)Mysterious fragments remain after dawn
3)Horses become more visible

Analysis -
1) - suggests a sense of timelessness and a deep connection to the natural world
- The horses lack movement and their sound creates a serene and tranquil atmosphere,
drawing attention to their presence and power.
2) - even though the world around the author has changed and become more lively and active,
there remains a fragment of darkness
- creating a lot of suspense,
- enjambment in the next line evokes wonderment and a sense of awe for nature
3) - Describes the light that falls on the readers
- Although red is a colour of fear and danger, in this case, it seems to have a gentle and
soothing effect
- levelling evokes a sense of equanimity, suggesting that nature is unbiased

Closing sentence - The use of the theme of nature’s stillness and beauty helps in creating a
lasting impression of the horses on the readers

Paragraph 2 -: Imagery
Topic Sentence - The imagery incorporated in the poem has portrayed a robust impression of
the Horses.

Evidence -:
1) "A world cast in frost"
2) "Grey silent fragments"
3) "Huge in the dense grey –ten together”

Explanation -
1) - evokes a sense of coldness, stillness, and desolation
- frozen inactive world
- a sense of purity or clarity
2) - horses are seen as pieces or fragments of a larger whole
- connection to a larger natural order
3) - emphasizes the immense size and scale of the horses
- the mysterious and ghostly quality of the scene
- collective power and unity, reinforcing their impact on the narrator and the reader.

Closing sentence -

Paragraph 3 - Form and structure

Topic Sentence - The unique form and structure used has created a forceful effect.

Evidence -
1) free verse, with no consistent meter or rhyme scheme
2) The poem is divided into two distinct sections
3) The title of the poem - “The Horses”
4) Enjambment - "I turned / Stumbling in a fever of a dream"

Analysis -
1) The lack of formal structure in the poem mirrors the speaker's experience of wandering
through the natural world. The long, unbroken lines convey a sense of expansiveness and
openness, creating a feeling of immersion in the natural world.
2) The division of the poem into two parts creates a sense of contrast and progression. The first
section establishes the quiet, stillness of the natural world, while the second section introduces
the horses and their movement and energy. This contrast emphasizes the horses' power and
beauty while highlighting the theme of rural silence vs urban noise.
3) The choice of a single-word title emphasizes the singular focus of the poem on the horses.
The title's simplicity underscores the poem's theme, which is nature's beauty and power. The
choice of a noun, rather than a verb or adjective, also creates a sense of solidity and
permanence, suggesting that the horses are an essential part of the landscape and the
speaker's experience.
4) Enjambment creates fluidity and a sense of movement within the poem, allowing ideas and
images to blend and overlap, enhancing the reader's experience of the narrator's journey.

Linkback -
1) The poem's form reinforces the theme of the speaker's connection to the natural world and
his sense of being absorbed into the landscape.
2) The structure of the poem reinforces the themes of contrast and progression, highlighting the
speaker's evolving relationship with the natural world.
3) The title of the poem reinforces the themes of the poem and signals to the reader the focus of
the speaker's experience.
4) The use of enjambment reinforces the contrast between stillness and motion, as well as the
transitions between the natural and urban environments depicted in the poem.

Conclusion - Ted Hughes' "Horses" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of
nature, power, and beauty. Through vivid imagery and sensory details, the speaker's encounter
with the horses is rendered in exquisite detail, capturing the majesty and stillness of the
animals. Ultimately, the poem suggests that there is a timeless beauty and majesty to be found
in the natural world and that it is through our connection to nature that we may find a sense of
meaning and purpose in our lives.

Answer

"Megalith-still" is a phrase from the poem “Horses’ by Ted Hughes. It is a powerful meditation on
the beauty and power of nature. It is employed to describe the ten horses that the narrator
encounters on the moor. "megalith" refers to a large, prehistoric stone structure. The Horses are
seen as immovable, solid, and monumental, like ancient stone structures that have withstood
the test of time. It suggests that the horses are somehow timeless and significant. "Still"
emphasizes the immobility of the horses, indicating that they are standing completely
motionless. This creates a sense of stillness and silence in the poem, emphasising nature's
quiet, still beauty. Through the thoughtful use of striking imagery, poignant themes, and a
carefully crafted form and structure, Hughes masterfully presents a vivid and unique portrayal of
the Horses.
The imagery incorporated in the poem portrays a strong impression of the Horses. The writer
states "A world cast in frost". This line describes the frosty landscape that the speaker
encounters on his journey. The use of "frost" as an image evokes a sense of coldness, stillness,
and desolation. The speaker's surroundings are frozen and lifeless, without any signs of
movement or activity. The image also suggests a sense of purity or clarity, as if the world has
been purified by frost. The poem describes the horses as they are illuminated by the rising sun.
This image sets the stage for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of isolation and
otherworldliness that is reinforced by the appearance of the horses. The image of the horses'
"Grey silent fragments" suggests that the horses are seen as pieces or fragments of a larger
whole, perhaps emphasizing their connection to a larger natural order or their presence as
significant elements within the landscape. The colour "grey" adds a subdued and
monochromatic quality, contributing to the overall atmosphere of quietude and serenity. This
description contributes to the poem's overall theme by highlighting the horses as enigmatic and
otherworldly beings that stand out in the surrounding environment. It captures their stillness,
beauty, and significance, while also reinforcing the contrast between their presence and the
noise and chaos of the urban world. The line "Huge in the dense grey –ten together" highlights
the size, number, and unified presence of the horses. The word "Huge" emphasizes the
immense size and scale of the horses, evoking a sense of awe and grandeur. The phrase
"dense grey" describes the atmospheric environment, suggesting a misty or foggy ambience
that adds to the mysterious and ethereal quality of the scene. The mention of the horses being
"ten together" further emphasizes their collective power and unity, reinforcing their impact on the
narrator and the reader. This description contributes to the overall theme of the poem by
showcasing the horses as majestic and commanding figures in the natural world.

The use of poignant themes has left a strong impact on the readers’ minds. The writer has
emphasized the faults in the Urban world by using "Not a leaf, not a bird”. This image of a still,
silent world contrasts with the noise and chaos of urban life. The speaker is alone in this quiet
landscape, surrounded by nature and cut off from the bustle of civilization. This contrast
highlights the theme of rural silence vs urban noise, suggesting that the natural world offers a
respite from the sensory overload of modern life. This image sets the stage for the rest of the
poem, establishing a contrast between the stillness of the natural world and the noise and
activity of human civilization. Hughes further elaborates “The curlew's tear turned its edge on
the silence”. The sound of the curlew stands out in the silence, emphasizing the contrast
between the natural world and the human-made world. The use of the word "tear" suggests a
sense of sadness or mourning, as if the curlew is lamenting the loss of its natural habitat to
human encroachment. This image reinforces the theme of rural silence vs urban noise,
suggesting that the natural world is under threat from human activity. This image highlights the
speaker's awareness of the fragility of the natural world and his concern for its preservation.
Moreover, “Hearing the horizons endure". The image of the "din of crowded streets" contrasts
with the solitude and quiet of the natural world. The speaker's desire to "meet my memory" in
this lonely place suggests a nostalgia for a simpler, quieter time. The use of the word "endure"
again highlights the theme of rural silence vs urban noise, suggesting that the natural world has
the resilience and endurance that human civilization lacks. This image reinforces the theme of
rural silence vs urban noise, suggesting that the natural world offers a sense of peace and
connection that is increasingly rare in the modern world.

The unique form and structure used have created a forceful effect. The use of free verse with
no consistent meter or rhyme scheme shows a lack of formal structure in the poem and mirrors
the speaker's experience of wandering through the natural world. The long, unbroken lines
convey a sense of expansiveness and openness, creating a feeling of immersion in the natural
world. The form of the poem reinforces the theme of the speaker's connection to the natural
world and his sense of being absorbed into the landscape. The division of the poem into two
parts creates a sense of contrast and progression. The first section establishes the quiet,
stillness of the natural world, while the second section introduces the horses and their
movement and energy. This contrast emphasizes the power and beauty of the horses, while
also highlighting the theme of rural silence vs urban noise. The structure of the poem reinforces
the themes of contrast and progression, highlighting the speaker's evolving relationship with the
natural world. The choice of a single-word title emphasizes the singular focus of the poem on
the horses. The simplicity of the title “The Horses” underscores the theme of the poem, which is
the beauty and power of nature. The choice of a noun, rather than a verb or adjective, also
creates a sense of solidity and permanence, suggesting that the horses are an essential part of
the landscape and the speaker's experience. The title of the poem reinforces the themes of the
poem and signals to the reader the focus of the speaker's experience. Enjambment creates
fluidity and a sense of movement within the poem, allowing ideas and images to blend and
overlap, enhancing the reader's experience of the narrator's journey. The use of enjambment
reinforces the contrast between stillness and motion, as well as the transitions between the
natural and urban environments depicted in the poem.

Ted Hughes' "Horses" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of nature, power,
and beauty. Through vivid imagery and sensory details, the speaker's encounter with the horses
is rendered in exquisite detail, capturing the majesty and stillness of the animals. Ultimately, the
poem suggests that there is a timeless beauty and majesty to be found in the natural world and
that it is through our connection to nature that we may find a sense of meaning and purpose in
our lives