Aesop's Fables · Character

The Eagle

The sky's sovereign predator, swift and merciless, whose power is matched only by the bitter irony fate reserves for those who rule the air.

supporting

Also known as An Eagle, The Eagle, the Eagle

First appearance: the dog and the sow

See The Eagle in the dog and the sow Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

The Eagle moves through these fables as the recognized monarch of birds, hunting from lofty rocks and settling disputes with talons rather than argument. Yet his majesty is precarious: an arrow fletched with his own feathers can bring him down, and a small Beetle's grudge can scatter his eggs. He embodies the book's recurring warning that strength, however lofty, is never beyond reach of the weak or the cunning.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of The Eagle sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Eagle in the dog and the sow

Character Web

23 connections

A slice of how The Eagle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Predators and Prey
Protagonist
Farm and Pastoral Roles
Moral Archetypes and Victims

+18 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the victor Cock, swollen with pride after his triumph, is sud…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

The Cat
rivalry · negative
Jupiter
professional · positive
The Fox
rivalry · negative
The Cat
rivalry · negative
The Fox
rivalry · negative

The Cat
The Cat and the Eagle are natural enemies, with the Eagle preying on small animals and the Cat defending its territory.
Jupiter
Jupiter employs the Eagle as his messenger and servant, a hierarchical relationship of divine command.
The Fox
The Eagle and the Fox are cunning adversaries, often competing for food or tricking each other.
The Cat
The Cat and the Eagle are natural enemies, with the Eagle preying on small animals and the Cat defending its territory.
The Fox
The Eagle and the Fox are cunning adversaries, often competing for food or tricking each other.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See The Eagle in the dog and the sow

In the story

The Eagle appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk
Spies the drowned Mouse, seizes him, and inadvertently captures and eats the Frog as well.
The Tortoise and the Eagle
Reluctantly agrees to help the Tortoise fly, but ultimately drops him, leading to the Tortoise's death.
The Eagle and His Captor
Captured, clipped, sold, then freed; shows gratitude to the neighbor who restored his wings.
The Peacock and Juno
Mentioned by Juno as an example of a creature allotted strength by Fate.
The Eagle and the Arrow
The eagle is shot and killed by an arrow fletched with its own feathers, lamenting the irony of its fate.
The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow
Nests at the top of the tree; falls prey to the Cat's lies and starves.
The Eagle and the Cocks
The eagle that swoops down from the sky and captures the boastful cock.
The Eagle, the Jackdaw, and the Shepherd
Observed by the Jackdaw as it successfully carries off a lamb, inspiring the Jackdaw's failed imitation.
The Eagle and the Beetle
The Eagle ignores the Beetle's warning and eats the hare under its protection, leading to a cycle of revenge.
The Eagle and the Fox
Betrays the Fox by stealing her cubs for food, but later suffers divine retribution when her nest burns and her young are eaten.
The Serpent and the Eagle
Seizes the Serpent but is entangled; freed by a countryman, later repays the favor by saving the man from poison.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Eagle unlock in the free preview.

See The Eagle in the dog and the sow