Question

In act II, scene IV, of Macbeth, the audience hears reports of an owl killed by a falcon and of a horse eating another horse. What is the likely significance of these events?
They signal Banquo's and Malcolm's impending doom.
They highlight the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth's crime.
They symbolize the internal conflict in Macbeth.
They symbolize the conflict between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Answer 1

They highlight the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth's crime.

When Macbeth killed King Dunken who was the most virtuous king, the whole world lamented for his uncertain death. Everything in the kingdom got disrupted and even the animals and nature seemed to behave in a much different way as they used to. The killing of an owl by a falcon which is a much smaller bird than the eagle symbolizes the murder of King Dunken by Macbeth. The eating of the horse by another horse gives a symbolic meaning about Macbeth’s plan to kill Banquo, who were great friends.

Answer 2

Answer:

They highlight the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth's crime.

Explanation:

In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the fact that an owl is killed by a falcon and that a horse eats another represents the disorder and chaos in the universe after King Duncan is killed by someone he trusts, Macbeth. The reason is that in Elizabethan times there existed the idea of royalty symbolizing the order of nature and the universe. As a result, the circumstances are a sign of something bad to come.