Beginning of Essay
The motif of the birds in William Shakespeare's THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH illlustrates the nature of several characters. Shakespeare mentions several birds in the play but three birds are especially symbolic. The raven is the first bird mentioned in the play. Lady M ....

Middle of Essay
.... in gothic literature. The owl is discussed by the old man who talks to Ross the day after Duncan was killed. The death of Duncan is a perverted act, just as the death of the falcon is considered unnatural. "'Tis unatural/Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last a falcon, towering in her pride of place,/was by amousing owl hawked at and killed." The owl is a bird that typically symbolizes wisdom but in this case the mousing owl has killed a larger predator--a falcon. The mousing owl has usurped it's natural place in the order of the animal kingdom, just as Macbeth has killed Duncan. The old man, who we assume is wise is discussing the ....