The woodcock is one of William Shakespeare's favorite birds. particularly in reference to the gin, or springe, with which it was captured; thus, it came to represent some trick or contrivance by which a person is caught or deceived. In the play Hamlet, for instance, Shakespeare's Ophelia answers her father's questions regarding Hamlet's attentions with great naivete, describing how the Prince
Hath given countenance to his speech/With almost all the holy vows of heaven. (I,iii)
Unconvinced of Hamlet's motives, Polonius interrupts her,
Ay, springes to catch woodcocks, I do know! (I,iii,122)
The remainder of his speech to his daughter is an extended metaphor as Polonius elaborates upon the comparison of Hamlet to the hunter who wishes to lure his prey, so that he may capture it. For, he tells his daughter to not believe Hamlet's "vows,"
...for they are brokers [ pimps], not of that dye which there investments show (I,iii,134-135)
These promises are not what they appear to be; they are mere
implorators [beggars] of unholy suits/Breathing like sanctified and pious bonds (this is a simile within the metaphor), the better to beguile. I,iii,134-138)
The woodcock's being snared is the metaphor for Ophelia's being tricked by Hamlet's snare of false vows and promises.
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