Relic

Ted Hughes

I found this jawbone at the sea's edge:

There, crabs, dogfish, broken by the breakers or tossed
To flap for half an hour and turn to a crust
Continue the beginning. The deeps are cold:
In that darkness camaraderie does not hold.

Nothing touches but, clutching, devours. And the jaws,

Before they are satisfied or their stretched purpose
Slacken, go down jaws; go gnawn bare. Jaws
Eat and are finished and the jawbone comes to the beach:
This is the sea's achievement; with shells,
Vertebrae, claws, carapaces, skulls.

Time in the sea eats its tail, thrives, casts these

Indigestibles, the spars of purposes
That failed far from the surface. None grow rich
In the sea. This curved jawbone did not laugh
But gripped, gripped and is now a cenotaph.

"Relic" by Ted Hughes explores the themes of mortality, the relentless cycle of life and death, and
the harsh realities of nature. Through vivid imagery and a somber tone, the poem delves into the
depths of the sea to uncover the remains of a once-living creature, using it as a symbol to reflect on
the harshness of existence.

Summary
"Relic" opens with the speaker's discovery of a jawbone at the sea's edge. This jawbone is
described as being washed ashore among other discarded sea creatures like crabs and dogfish,
which have been broken by the waves or tossed about by the tumultuous sea. The poem begins
with a sense of observation and description:
"I found this jawbone at the sea's edge:
There, crabs, dogfish, broken by the breakers or tossed
To flap for half an hour and turn to a crust."

As the poem progresses, the speaker's contemplation deepens. The sea is described as cold and
inhospitable, devoid of camaraderie or any sense of connection. It is a place where nothing survives
untouched, and everything is devoured:
"Nothing touches but, clutching, devours."

The focus then turns to the jawbone itself. It is described as having a "stretched purpose" that
eventually slackens, indicating that it had a function in life but has now been rendered obsolete.
The jawbone becomes a symbol of mortality and the impermanence of all living things.
The poem concludes by emphasizing the sea's role in casting ashore various remnants of life,
including shells, vertebrae, claws, carapaces, and skulls. These are referred to as "indigestibles" and
are the remnants of creatures whose purposes have failed deep beneath the sea's surface. The
speaker reflects on the sea's unforgiving nature and how nothing grows rich in its depths. The
jawbone, once a part of a living creature, is now reduced to a cenotaph, a monument to the life that
once was.

Analysis
Vivid Imagery: Ted Hughes uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a stark and evocative
portrayal of the sea and its relentless power. The description of broken creatures washed ashore,
the cold and inhospitable sea, and the various remnants of life all contribute to the poem's
atmosphere of desolation and decay.

Symbolism: The poem employs symbolism to convey deeper themes. The jawbone represents
mortality and the transience of life. It serves as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of all
living things and the harsh reality of nature's cycles.

Tone: The tone of the poem is somber and reflective. Hughes conveys a sense of resignation in the
face of the sea's indifference to life. There is a recognition of the inevitability of mortality and the
unforgiving nature of the natural world.

Imagery of the Sea: The sea itself serves as a significant motif in the poem. It is depicted as a
powerful and relentless force, indifferent to the fate of the creatures that inhabit it. The sea
symbolizes the harshness of nature and the cycle of life and death.

Themes
Mortality & Impermanence: One of the central themes of "Relic" is mortality and the
impermanence of life. The poem explores how all living things eventually succumb to the forces of
nature and are reduced to relics, reminders of what once was. The jawbone, once a functional part
of a living creature, becomes a symbol of this transience.

Nature's Indifference: The poem underscores the indifference of nature to the fate of individual
creatures. The sea, in its cold and relentless power, cares not for the lives it consumes or the
remnants it casts ashore. It is a reminder that nature operates on its own terms, regardless of
human sentiment.

Cycles of Life & Death: "Relic" delves into the cycles of life and death that govern the natural world.
The sea is depicted as a place where life is constantly devoured and transformed into remnants that
wash ashore. This theme highlights the eternal and unyielding nature of these cycles.

Reflection on Purpose: The poem prompts reflection on the concept of purpose. The jawbone is
described as having a "stretched purpose" that eventually slackens. This suggests that even in the
natural world, there is a sense of purpose that may change or diminish over time. The poem invites
readers to consider the fleeting nature of purpose and existence.
"Relic" explores themes of mortality, nature's indifference, the cycles of life and death, and the
impermanence of existence. Through vivid imagery and somber reflection, Hughes invites readers
to contemplate the harsh realities of the natural world and the inevitability of mortality. The
jawbone, found at the sea's edge, serves as a powerful symbol of these themes, reminding us of
the transient nature of life and the unforgiving force of nature.