Part one of term paper
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 Macbeth says that the raven welcomes the good king Duncan into her home. "The rav ...

Part two of term paper
... the Macbeths. Lady Macbeth wants to scavenge Duncan's throne and her heart is black with covetousness and evil. She asks for darkness to cover her and her evil thoughts. The raven is an appropriate bird for Lady Macbeth to mention. It is not a bird of spring, nor does it have a beautiful song. It is an omen of death and evil. Ravens are frequent fixtures 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 perve ...