This article introduces the tradition of natural expression in English poetry. From the Renaissance to the late 20th century, poets from different eras such as Shakespeare, Marvel, Blake, Wordsworth, Shelley, Lawrence, and Ted Hughes have all contributed to natural poetry. As a culmination, Hughes' poetry not only focuses on ecological issues, but also embodies profound ecological ethics.

Natural imagery: a metaphor for the essence of human life

This article delves into the use of natural imagery, particularly animal and plant imagery, by contemporary British poet Hughes in his poetry, and how these imagery metaphorically represent the essence of human life and ecological ethics. Hughes' poetry creation takes the world of animals and plants as a starting point, aiming to provide moral inspiration for humanity, surpassing the traditional ecological criticism perspective and expanding to the level of ecological ethics. In Hughes' works, animals and plants are not only the embodiment of natural beauty, but also the source of human moral experience. His poetry showcases the complex ethical relationship between humans and nature, as well as profound reflections on the value of life, through the imagery of animals and plants.

Ethical examination of non-human biological values and rights

Deeply explored the ethical examination of non-human biological values and rights in ecological ethics. Ecological ethics focuses on the moral relationship between humans and natural life and things, as well as whether non-human natural life and things have value and rights. Hughes' poetry reflects respect for the value and rights of non-human natural objects, such as the disappearance of the boundary between humans and nature in "The Raven", where crows have multiple symbolic meanings; The "Horse Group" depicts the independent value of the animal and plant world, the tranquility and independence of the horse group at dawn; The Eagle Resting on the Branch "showcases the subjectivity and dominant consciousness of animals, as well as their reflection on the laws of nature, through the monologue of the eagle. Meanwhile, Hughes' poetry also reveals the conflict between the human world and the animal world, as well as his keen insight into the moral decay of humanity. However, Hughes had conflicting attitudes towards non-human creatures, such as the violence and death of natural elements in "The Eagle in the Rain," and the contrast between the eagle's resilience and unexpected encounters, reflecting the complex ethical relationship between humans and nature.

Ethical implications for non-human natural life and behavior

Deeply explored the ethical implications of Hughes' poetry on non-human natural life and behavior, emphasizing the importance of ecological ethical awareness. In Hughes' works, there is a clear moral relationship between humans and animals and plants, and the non-human world has independent value. He expressed his profound concern for the world of flora and fauna through poetry, believing that all living beings should be regarded as members with moral values and together form an "international community with a shared future".