Meaning & Analysis
The lapwing, a bird known for its deceptive behavior, makes the most noise far away from where its nest is actually located, likely to distract predators and protect its young.
Insights
Deceptive Appearances
This proverb symbolizes how people often draw attention away from their true intentions or vulnerabilities. Just as the lapwing cries far from her nest to mislead, individuals may speak or act in ways that hide their real motives, insecurities, or affections.
False Protestations
It reflects on hypocrisy or emotional duplicity—especially in love or morality—where one’s outward expressions (words, behavior) contradict their inner reality. As Shakespeare noted, it may be the nature of some to jest or speak falsely, keeping the 'tongue far from the heart.'
Rhetoric of Distrust
The proverb has long served as a critique of rhetorical insincerity. In political, religious, or romantic discourse, it warns listeners not to take declarations at face value, but to look beneath the surface for real intent.
Gendered Usage and Courtship
In early modern English drama and literature, especially in Shakespeare, the lapwing often figures in discussions of flirtation and female duplicity. Its cry becomes a metaphor for coyness, denial, or strategic self-presentation in courtship—revealing period anxieties around authenticity and gender roles.
Moral Caution and Psychological Defense
Psychologically, the lapwing's cry can represent a defense mechanism: creating misdirection to protect one’s emotional 'nest.' It suggests that those who protest most vehemently—or loudly disown something—may be hiding precisely that which they fear most to reveal.
Rhetorical Devices
Symbolism
The lapwing symbolizes cunning misdirection, and its call serves as an emblem for deceitful or protective speech, deeply rooted in folklore and natural observation.
Irony
The proverb plays on situational irony—what is said (the cry) misleads about where truth lies (the nest). This rhetorical inversion enhances the proverb’s impact as a moral and psychological lesson.
Transcription
Quotations
In this I resemble the Lappwing, who . . flyeth with a false cry farre from their nestes.
Wherein you resemble the Lapwing, who crieth most where her neast is not.
And you (quoth Eubola) play like the Lapwing, that cryeth euer farthest from her nest.
You fly still (quoth Marpesia) from my demand, playing like the Lapwing, that cryeth farthest from her nest.
He has the lapwing's cunning, I am afraid, That cries most when she's furthest from the nest.
Trust not his oath. He will lie like a lapwing; when she flies Far from her sought nest, still Here tis, she cries.
Excellent, excellent Lapwing! There's other stuffe closed in that subtle brest. He sings and beats his wings far from his nest.
Women's sweet words As far are from their hearts, though from their breasts They fly, as lapwings' cries are from their nests.
Satan knowing this, like the lapwing, makes the greatest noise when he is furthest from his nest.
(most furthest from her nest).
Shakespeare Citations
Far from her nest the lapwing cries away; My heart prays for him, though my tongue do curse.
'Tis my familiar sin With maids to seem the lapwing, and to jest, Tongue far from heart.
Cross References
- See DÜR., I, no. 524.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.