The Intriguing World of Ravens in T.V. and Movie Period Pieces

In the realm of television and movie period pieces, ravens often play a significant role in message delivery. This portrayal combines elements of historical fact, artistic license, and dramatic storytelling. Let's dive into the fascinating details of how this concept is depicted and the underlying ideas.

Historical Use of Birds for Message Delivery

The practice of using birds for message delivery dates back to ancient times, particularly during the Middle Ages. While pigeons were the most commonly utilized, ravens also held a special place due to their intelligence and ability to find their way home. This innate talent was often harnessed for delivering crucial information across vast distances.

The Process of Training Birds

Trained birds were a result of meticulous training. For instance, if a raven was raised in a particular castle, it would learn to return to that location after being sent out with a message. This form of conditioning was key in establishing a reliable and efficient communication system. Similarly, homing pigeons were raised from hatchlings and trained to return to their nests, a process that has been honed over thousands of years of human use and breeding.

Natural Homing Instinct

Many bird species, including pigeons and ravens, possess a strong homing instinct. This instinct allows them to navigate back to their home or a familiar place over considerable distances. While ravens are not as well-documented for this trait as pigeons, their intelligence and spatial awareness make them formidable messengers. Despite modern technology, the ability of birds to find their way back home remains a marvel in the natural world.

Artistic Interpretation in Cinema and Television

In film and television, the mechanics of how birds deliver messages are often simplified or exaggerated for dramatic effect. The focus is usually on the symbolism of the raven as a messenger rather than the practical realities of training and navigation. This artistic interpretation allows for a more engaging and visually compelling narrative. In the fantasy world of Game of Thrones, for example, ravens are depicted as having the same homing instinct and ability as domesticated pigeons, making them ideal messengers for critical information.

Symbolism in Literature and Folklore

Ravens are often associated with mystery, omens, and the supernatural in literature and folklore. This association enhances their appeal as messengers in period pieces. Their dark coloration and association with the supernatural add depth to the thematic elements of a story, making them an excellent choice for conveying important plot points.

Ravens in Fantasy: Why Not Pigeons?

While real homing pigeons are a reliable method of message delivery, they lack the storied mystique that ravens bring to the table. Because 'raven' sounds cooler than 'homing pigeon' and writers, especially TV writers, often need to expedite the plot, ravens are frequently used as a symbolic tool. However, in the real world, message delivery via pigeons is a precise and sometimes complex process. Real homing pigeons are not a radio or telephone — they can only find their way home. Thus, you must put one in a cage and transport it to the desired location. Additionally, there's no guarantee that the pigeon will survive the journey due to weather, accidents, predators, and other factors.

For a more entertaining story, it's much easier to 'send a raven' than to have weeks of in-story time while someone travels hundreds of miles to deliver a message. This simplification and symbolic use of ravens in period pieces enhance the storytelling while maintaining an element of the mysterious and magical.

In conclusion, while the practical aspects of ravens delivering messages are grounded in some historical truths, their portrayal in media focuses on their symbolic significance and dramatic potential rather than strict adherence to reality. This blending of history, art, and symbolism makes ravens an enduring and intriguing presence in the realm of T.V. and movie period pieces.