A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk'd at, and kill'd

A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk'd at, and kill'd

In William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, the line "A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk'd at, and kill'd" is spoken by Ross in Act 2, Scene 4. This line is a metaphorical description of the downfall of the character King Duncan, who is represented by the falcon, and his murder by Macbeth, who is symbolized by the mousing owl.

The image of the falcon, a majestic bird of prey, being attacked and killed by a smaller, stealthier owl is a powerful symbol of the betrayal and treachery that takes place in the play. King Duncan, like the falcon, is in a position of power and authority, "towering in her pride of place." However, he is ultimately brought down by Macbeth, who is compared to a mousing owl, a creature known for its cunning and ability to hunt silently.

This metaphor highlights the theme of ambition and the corrupting influence of power in Macbeth. Macbeth's ambition drives him to commit regicide and seize the throne, leading to a chain of events that ultimately result in his own downfall. The image of the falcon being killed by the mousing owl serves as a warning of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of betraying one's own moral code.

Additionally, the line can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of power and the fragility of authority. Just as the falcon, despite its strength and pride, is vulnerable to attack from a smaller, more cunning predator, so too are those in positions of power susceptible to betrayal and downfall. The image of the mousing owl attacking the falcon serves as a reminder that power is not absolute and that those who wield it must be wary of those who seek to undermine them.

Overall, the line "A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawk'd at, and kill'd" is a powerful and evocative metaphor that encapsulates the themes of ambition, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power in Shakespeare's Macbeth.