GROUP 2: THE EAGLE (By: Alfred, Lord Tennyson)
“The Eagle” is a powerful poem that captures the majesty and solitude of a majestic bird, perched high on a crag
overlooking the sea. Its imagery evokes a sense of power, dominance, and freedom, making it a classic example of
nature’s poetry.
Characteristics of the Brahminy kite = Each line in the poem
1. “He clasps the crag with crooked hands”
The Brahminy Kite has a distinctive reddish-brown back, contrasting with its white head and lower body.
This striking plumage, combined with its powerful build and sharp talons, reflects the eagle’s image as a
creature of strength and dominance.
Their powerful talons, mirroring the eagle’s “crooked hands,” exemplify their mastery of grip, securing prey
or perch with unwavering strength. The “crookedness” symbolizes their dominance and control.
2. “Close to the sun in lonely lands”
The Brahminy Kite is often found in coastal areas, and mangroves.
The Brahminy Kite’s preference for coastal environments, often with a vast expanse of sky above, aligns with
this line’s depiction of the eagle’s solitary existence and its dominance over a vast, open world.
Much like the eagle’s crag, it reflects a shared need for independence and dominance. The sun, symbolizing
power, aligns with their preference for open skies and high vantage points.
3. “Ring’d with the azure world, he stands”
The Brahminy Kite is a skilled flyer, capable of soaring effortlessly on thermals and hovering in mid-air for
extended periods.
Its wings, broad and powerful, allow it to dominate the skies, much like the eagle’s “azure world” to which
embodies freedom and dominion.
The “ring” symbolizes their control over the vast sky, their mastery of the air.
4. “The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls”
The Brahminy Kite is an opportunistic feeder, often scavenging from garbage dumps and beaches, but also
preying on fish, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.
The Brahminy Kite’s scavenging and predation, mirroring the “wrinkled sea,” reflect their adaptability and
connection to a dynamic environment. The “crawling” suggests patient observation before striking, echoing
their hunting strategy.
This adaptability and hunting prowess mirror the eagle’s image as a predator, capable of taking down prey
with swift and deadly precision.
5. “He watches from his mountain walls”:
The Brahminy Kite has a keen eyesight.
Its ability to spot prey from a distance and its swift attacks, echo the eagle’s powerful presence and its role as
a predator.
Perched on “mountain walls,” highlights their ability to observe and strategize from a high vantage point.
The “walls” symbolize their dominance and protection within their domain.
6. “And like a thunderbolt he falls”
The Brahminy Kite has a mastery of the air, they have a swift, and powerful dive.
This can mirror the eagle’s “thunderbolt” plunge, which embodies their instinctual power and precision.
The “thunderbolt” in the poem is a symbol of power and destruction, much like the Brahminy Kite’s attack,
which is swift and decisive. This connection highlights the raw power and instinctual nature of both birds,
their ability to strike with lightning-fast precision.
