Motifs Of Birds In Macbeth

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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 these strange events.
Lady Macduff mentions the wren. She complains that her husband doesn't have as much loyalty as the bird, because he has left his family to fend for themselves. She calls the wren a small, diminutive creature who will fight to save her young. "For the poor wren,/The most diminutive of birds) will fight/Her young ones in her nest, against the owl." It is ironic that Lady Macduff will soon be in this same position. She unsuccessfully fights to save herself and her children. The ...

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