Para1Bear baiting was a gruesome yet popular blood sport during the early modern period. The sport consisted of chaining a bear to a stake then unleashing dogs into the arena who would taunt and attack the bear. The sport of bear baiting was typically held in an arena known as a Bear Garden. Some London playhouses, such as The Hope, were used mainly as theatres, with bear baiting taking place on specific days when plays were not staged. Once the sport reached its peak between 1615–1635, the baitings left the theatres altogether and were held only in specialized arenas. Some scholars like Erica Fudge argue that bear baiting was symbolic of the various power struggles that were occurring during the Elizabethan era. Due to the disapproval of Puritan ministers, the sport began a decline in the late 1630s and it never regained in popularity in England again.

Para2This violent sport was initially accepted by the rulers of the era, so much that it was also known as The King’s Game. The Master of The King’s Game received a small salary from the king in addition to status in the court. Many men who wanted to get close to the king, thus gaining influence in the royal court, pursued this position. The Master was also held accountable for the animals within the arena. People who did not enjoy the sport due to its cruel nature were obligated to respect it because of royal interest and the approval of the royal court. But that attitude changed about a decade into the rule of King James I of England. Starting in 1618, as declared in The Book of Sports, all the ministers for the Church of England were required, by royal order, to inform their parishioners of sports permitted by the king that could occur on Sundays after church services, in part due to Puritan opposition to some folk customs in England. But The Book of Sports banned Sunday bear baiting, initiating the decline of the once popular entertainement. While it seldom occured after the 1630s, animal baiting was not formally banned in England until Parliament did so in 1835.

Para3Shakespeare occasionally compared the situation of his characters to that of the bear in the arena: tied to a stake surrounded by those who wish harm upon them.

Para4Shakespeare’s characters sometimes appear to have a more sensitive approach to bear baiting, associating themselves with the fate and unfortunate circumstances of the bear, although in Twelfth Night, Sir Toby says, to anger him Malvolio we’ll have the bear again, and we’ll fool him black and blue, shall we not, Sir Andrew?, showing that the entertainment value of bear baiting was not absent from the plays.