Religion
Religion is a major theme throughout many of Hughes' poems. Hughes seems to write from a pro-Christianity point of view, glorifying God through some of his poems and calling to others to do the same. His poem, 'God's Grandeur,' speaks of the place of the world in the light of God's glory and the protection of the Holy Spirit, which, 'broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.' The greatness and glory of God is presented alongside the murky and dreary side of the world, and His grandeur shines through the normality and the routine nature of life for many people, who seem to trudge along without any notice of God. The poem, 'Pied Beauty,' on the other hand is a clear presentation of God's glory and a witness to others. It calls for a response of the reader to glorify God themselves, whilst 'God's Grandeur,' questions the lack of acknowledgment of God's glory that is already established in the world described. The real focus of the theme of religion throughout Hughes' poems here is on God himself, as a Christian person is to give the glory to God in all their works.
Another spin on the theme of religion which is seen in the poem, 'Theology,' is a satiric presentation of the problems with modern theology and theological practices, tht spend too much time debating secondary issues and adding information to the truth. The poem satirises a presentation of the Creation story from Genisis that is clearly isrepresented, as an exaggeration of ignoring the truth and favouring theological theories over the Bible itself, highlighting the dangers of this. Hughes' message throughout this poem is therefore one of warning and awareness surrounding theology being used in the wrong way and about the manipulation of Biblical fact and truth.
Nature
The theme of nature can be split into two sub-sections: animals and natural elements. Hughes uses the theme of nature in many of his poems, both to literally describe an interesting part of the world we live in, but also to highlight or question aspects of society through the presentation of nature as an allegory or metaphor.
Animals: The theme of nature in Hughes' poems often takes the form of an analogy about an animal, for example, the poem 'The Owl.'This poem is all about perspective, and the natural elements throughout engage with he character's own viewpoint as he looks through different lenses. The owl as the central animal of the poem eventually takes the speaker, which then raises the question of who the speaker is and how they relate to the owl as an animal themeselves or as a human being, in which case the imagery is flipped on its head. Another poem that deals with the theme of nature and animals is 'Thrushes,' but in this case, the thrush's technique of hunting and living and its efficiency is compared with the work of humans. This element of nature expresses a questioning tone surrounding the distracted nature of human work, and why a thrush is so much more efficient and determined in its own work.
Natural Elements: Some of Hughes' poems express ideas through the natural elements or plants, such as 'Thistles,' and 'Wind.' 'Thistles' relates the life of a simple, weed-like plant to the reader, giving it significance and reminding one of the cycle and relation of different elements of lfe when compared to one another. The poem, 'Wind,' again describes a force of nature and its power. The effects of the cold and the wind compared to the safety of home and warmth of family is contrasted to reveal the effects of the wind in different environments on people and animals alike, combing the natural with the man-made.
Family Relationships.
The depiction of family relationships within Hughes' poems are rather complicated. In 'The Minotaur,' there seems to be evidence of abusive and violent tendencies within the family dynamic. This ultimately causes tensions within the family and a loss of relationship between the perpetrator and their parents and their own partner and children. It is interesting that this portrayal of the theme of family is not foccussed on love or joy, but on hurt and heartache. Within the poem, 'The Child is Father to the Man,' is confusing in its own sense, as the poem is questioning this fact over and over, stating, 'How can he be?' This poem may come under the theme of religion as well, as perhaps it is talking about Jesus being born as the Saviour of the world and being part of the Trinity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Love and Romance
Again, similar to the theme of family, the representation of love in Hughes' poem, 'Lovesong,' is not the expected scene of romance, but a questioning of identity and a presentation of lust and devouring passion. This reflects the fantasy and surreal elements of the initial blindness of love, as both lovers become so intertwined with each other that they becom alike and almost interchangable. This perhaps reveals the nature of lust versus love and the protective state that the woman feels with her lover despite losing herself and taking something special from him as well: part of his identity.
Mortality
Mortality is a poignant and serious theme throughout Hughes' poems, especially in 'Old Age Gets Up,' and, 'Examination at the Womb-Door.' The first of these is a look at the older stages of life and the frailty assosciated with it before death, so really it is also a celebration of life as well as an awareness of death that is central in this poem. In 'Examination at the Womb-Door,' the tables are switched completely, as death is considered at the beginning of the process of life! Through exploring the creation of a new baby, and the different aspects of this, the reader is then dealt the blow of considering death, bluntly and suddenly, at the end of every line. It is also interesting to consider the question of mortality in light of the theme of religion and Hughes' perspective of God.
