In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, animals serve as symbols and motifs that help to reinforce the themes and character development of the play. From the opening scene, where the witches discuss the prophesies that will guide the play's events, to the final scenes of violence and betrayal, animals play a significant role in the story.
One of the most prominent animal symbols in Macbeth is the owl. Owls are associated with wisdom and knowledge, but in the play, they are also linked to the idea of deception and cunning. The witches, who are often depicted with owls, are known for their manipulative and deceitful behavior, and they use their prophecies to mislead and manipulate Macbeth and other characters. In Act II, Scene 2, Macbeth speaks of the "screeching owl" that "tells the fatal entrance of Duncan" (II.2.36-37), suggesting that the owl's presence is a sign of the tragic events that are to come.
Another animal symbol in Macbeth is the falcon. The falcon represents nobility and honor, but it is also connected to the theme of ambition. In Act I, Scene 7, Macbeth speaks of the "eagle" that "tears the knot of [his] tongue" (I.7.45), referencing the power and determination of the bird. However, Macbeth's own ambition eventually leads him to betray and murder his king, causing him to lose his honor and become a tyrant.
The motif of blood and violence is also represented through the use of animal imagery in the play. In Act II, Scene 2, Macbeth speaks of the "bloody hands" of Duncan's murderers, saying that they "have marred the fair [beauty] of [his] feathers" (II.2.62-63). This metaphor compares the blood on the hands of the murderers to the blood on the feathers of a bird, suggesting that their violence has tainted their beauty and nobility. Similarly, in Act V, Scene 1, Macduff speaks of Macbeth as a "hell-hound" that "fled" from the battle (V.1.7-8), suggesting that he is a cowardly and vicious beast.
Overall, the use of animal imagery in Macbeth serves to underscore the themes of deception, ambition, and violence in the play. The owl represents the manipulative and deceitful nature of the witches, while the falcon symbolizes the noble but potentially dangerous ambition of the characters. The motif of blood and violence is also conveyed through animal imagery, suggesting the destructive and corrupting nature of these actions. Through these symbols and motifs, Shakespeare uses animals to help convey the central themes and character development of the play.
