Relic | Ted Hughes | Poetry Analysis | GCSE Literature | English with Kayleigh

In today's English literature class, we analyse Ted Hughes' Relic. This poem is included in the CAIE Cambridge GCSE literature syllabus from 2023. If you have any questions, please leave them below and I'll try my best to answer them.
PPT for revision/teaching!
www.tes.com/teaching-resource...
#tedhughes #poetry #GCSE #literature #exams

[@erinh9530]

Could you also reference the change in stanza size as mimicking the waves washing up on the beach from stanza 1?

[@EnglishwithKayleigh]

Hello - thank you for your comment! Yes, I think that’s a great alternative interpretation of stanza length 🙌 K

[@erinh9530]

@@EnglishwithKayleigh Thank you!

[@EnglishwithKayleigh]

You’re welcome!🌷

[@Playitcool_1963]

I don’t really see how the point about “in that darkness camaraderie does not hold” is a point.
How does that personify the sea? It’s not saying the sea has camaraderie or whatever it’s saying that in the sea there is no camaraderie

[@EnglishwithKayleigh]

Hello! Thank you for your comment ~ this is part of the extended metaphor that translates to the sea is ruthless/‘cold’. “The deeps are cold: In that darkness camaraderie does not hold: Nothing touches but, clutching, devours.” It is personified by given it human qualities - the ability to decide if it wishes to forgive/allow for life or destroy. I hope this helps 🌺 K

[@nakbwibxzuhwnde]

1.) Helplessness of animals/sea creatures
2.) The cruelty of sea, brutality of nature
3.) Unending loop of creation and destruction

[@nakbwibxzuhwnde]

You helped me sauuurrrr much I love how your name is spelt. Saving my English grade fr fr.

[@EnglishwithKayleigh]

Great point sentences - you could expand point one by including humans there alongside the sea creatures (particularly with reference to camaraderie and the cenotaph). Are you sitting the exam in May? 🎉 K