Questions and Answers
What does the eagle symbolize in Macbeth?
What is the sparrow used to represent in Macbeth?
A bird that is killed by birds of prey
What does the raven symbolize in Macbeth?
Darkness, destruction, and evil
What does the mythical bird 'martlet' symbolize?
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What symbolism does the crow carry in Macbeth?
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What do magpies represent in Macbeth?
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What is the symbolism behind the chough in Macbeth?
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What does the owl symbolize in Macbeth?
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In Macbeth, what does the falcon represent?
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What does the wren symbolize in Macbeth?
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What fear does the kite represent in Macbeth?
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What qualities does the goose symbolize in Macbeth?
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What symbolism does the hawk have in Macbeth?
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Study Notes
Eagle
- Represents inspiration, masculinity, strength, and pride.
- Featured in Act I, Scene ii.
Sparrow
- Killed by birds of prey, highlighting the eagle's strength.
- Mentioned in Act I, Scene ii.
Raven
- Symbolizes darkness, destruction, and evil.
- Acts as an ill omen; referenced in Act I, Scene v.
Martlet
- A mythical bird similar to a swallow, lacking legs due to short tufts of feathers.
- Represents the constant quest for knowledge; mentioned in Act I, Scene vi.
Crow
- Signifies magic, mystery, and death; often seen as a trickster and manipulative.
- Considered an ill omen; appears in Act III, Scene ii and Act III, Scene iv.
Magpies
- Viewed as prophets or discoverers of evil, stereotyped to steal shiny objects.
- Symbolically parallels Macbeth's act of seizing the crown by murdering Duncan, seen in Act III, Scene iv.
Chough
- Related to magpies and similarly represents prophets of evil.
- Shares symbolic parallels with Macbeth's actions; found in Act III, Scene iv.
Jackdaw
- Same family as magpies; functions as a prophet of evil in the narrative.
- Reflects the theme of stealing despite the modern belief against this behavior; referenced in Act III, Scene iv.
Owl
- Symbolizes wisdom but is also associated with death and witchcraft.
- Its cry heralds death, welcomed by Lady Macbeth as a sign of Duncan's murder; includes multiple scenes.
Falcon
- Emblematic of royalty, speed, and swiftness; favored by the elite for hunting.
- The owl's act of killing the falcon emphasizes a bad omen, seen in Act II, Scene iv.
Wren
- Noted in various Shakespeare texts, small in size yet courageous.
- Lady Macduff likens herself to a wren defending her young against the deadly owl, found in Act IV, Scene ii.
Kite
- Kites equated to hawks; symbolizes ancient fears of carrion birds disturbing the dead.
- Macbeth expresses a desire for the dead to remain at peace, discussed in Act III, Scene iv and Act IV, Scene iii.
Goose
- Symbolizes guidance and stability but carries a reputation of sluggishness.
- Macbeth's reference to "10,000 geese" reflects overconfidence and his belief in his invincibility, seen in Act V, Scene iii.
Hawk
- Represents war and has a hard, unyielding nature.
- Often associated with malevolence; Macduff refers to an evil "Hell-kite" that preys on the innocent, found in Act III, Scene iv and Act IV, Scene iii.
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Description
Explore the symbolism of birds in Shakespeare's Macbeth with these flashcards. Each card delves into the meanings and contexts of various birds found in the play, such as the eagle, sparrow, and raven. Perfect for understanding the deeper implications of avian imagery in the text.
