Symbolism and Foreshadow

[Dark Muse]

Here is something I found to be interesting, and seems to span across genres, I have seen examples in Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Classical, it has just showed up in a book I am currently reading which brought it to mind and really made me think upon it.

It seems that often a character who is a villain, sinister in intent and nature, and wishes to bring some ill will particularly for their own benefit, is described as looking hawkish, or having hawk like features, particularly, if a char is said to have a beak like nose which makes them look like a hawk, or a nose like a hawks beak, you can be sure they will be up to no good.

Though to the best of my knowledge the hawk is not an animal that has in any context been associated with any sort of bad omen or evil deeds, the way some animals can be.

Is the hawk just randomly used to represent a general predatory nature, as well as a certain alertness and shrewdness which might make up the characteristics of a villainous character.

The other thing I have noticed, is that seems more then anything it is holy man that are corrupt in some way that are most especially given these hawkish features.

[sir orange]

I believe this happens because hawks can be considered intelligent predators. As a matter of fact I noticed this very thing you are talking about in a number of books. While stupid villains are generally quite piggish, intelligent and Machiavellian ones are much more hawkish. You also write about villains that happen to be ecclesiastic people. I think they are hawk-like because they are ready to catch whatever they can, and they are ready to cheat people without any moral remorse, and act in a very predatory way.

[Dark Muse]

You are right about the piggish thing now that you mention it, that is so true to. In fact this book I am reading right now. The two main villians currently in the book are just like that. The one is not very bright, and is described as being a rather fat round man with a flat nose, while the other, who happens to be a priest, and is more cunning, is described as having a long hooked nose which makes him appear hawkish.

[sir orange]

What book is it anyway?

[Dark Muse]

The book I am reading right now is My Holy Satan by Vardis Fisher

[DeathAngel]

The hawk when prying on it's prey, is a vicious hunter with sharp talons and a sharp beak,
it's an intimidating bird that looks, I shall say royal,
it's posture is very strong and appealing,

it comes as an advantage to any side good or evil,

I haven't read many books with the hawk used for evil,
I would think a vulture or a more malicious bird would do,

arg, writers

[Dark Muse]

Not if you really think about it. The hawk is more assertive then the vultre, despite the vulture looking less regal then the hawk, and the vultures assocation with death, the hawk is a preadator and a cunning hunter.

But the vulture only hovers around to sneak in later and pick off the scraps, instead of going to take for himself, he is a scavanger not a preadator. So in someways he would be a weak villian compared to a hawk.