“Drills of his eyes” depicts the jaguar’s penetrating eyes are focusing solely on freedom making it

seem like a powerful creature piercing the darkness with its frightening eyes thus showing a
powerful portrait of the jaguar. Ted Hughes walks us through a zoo where animals have surrendered
to captivity contrasting the lively spirit of the jaguar who doesn’t give up. Ted Hughes uses
anthropomorphism to symbolize the jaguar as visionaries who can’t be despirited and symbolizes
the other animals as defeated people. Ted Hughes uses the theme of Freedom vs Captivity, stunning
imagery and structure to show an impressive portrait of the jaguar.

Freedom vs Captivity:

 “Lions and Tigers” are “Fatigued with indolence” showing that the
 The jaguar who’s “eyes satisfy to be blind in fire” is so consumed by his passion for his
natural habitat that he is purposefully blind to his literal, real situation. The poet draws the
reader’s attention to the jaguar, letting them marvel over the fiery spirit of the jaguar.