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1. In "The Windhover," who is speaking, and what moves him to speak?

The speaker is a Christian who feels that his heart has been "in hiding," (line 8), but who is stirred to speak when he sees a kestrel flying one morning. The sight of the bird's power and beauty inspires him and feeds his religious awe.

2. What is a "windhover," and what characteristic of its flight is focused on in this poem?

A "windhover" is a kestrel, a small falcon. The bird has an unusual ability to hover in place by flying against the wind.

3. Describe the poetic form of "The Windhover."

"The Windhover" is a Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet, consisting of an octave and a sestet. The octave is rhymed ABBA ABBA and the sestet is rhymed CDC DCD. There are five stressed syllables per line and a varying number of unstressed syllables in each line.

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