A recent ISJ article titled ‘Baiting for bears’ caught my eye as it reminded me of the background lectures I gave on Shakespeare and the theater prior to studying one of his plays in my high school classes.
The students were shocked as we discussed bear-baiting as a form of entertainment back in sixteenth-century England. They found it hard to believe that people could be so cruel and enjoy viewing such blood sport. Ah, to be young and naïve.
Generally, in bear-baiting a pit was formed in which the bear was chained to a post in the ground. Several trained dogs were set loose to attack the bear until they were tired, wounded, or killed. Fresh dogs would then replace them, and the fight continued.
Stands were set up for the spectators and wagering frequently took place as to the outcome of the battle. Bear-baiting…
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Exposing the Big Game 