Birds in Macbeth Flashcards

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.

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.