THC: What were the other sorts of violent displays that were going on at the time?
AT: There was bear baiting, where a bear would be let loose in an amphitheater-like setting and several men would try to attack it. It was a type of bull fighting but with a bear. And there's speculation that there were a few famous bears in Renaissance England and that Shakespeare's most famous stage direction--exit, pursued by a bear--refers to the use of one of these famous bears. Public executions were also very popular at the time, as were displays of traitors heads on the Tower of London and along Tower Bridge.
THC: So, to switch gears a little, have you ever watched the World Wrestling Federation?
AT: I haven't, though I suppose I'm familiar with it. When I'm on line in the supermarket, I always see on the covers of TV Guide these big, buxom blondes and then it says something about WWF. So I imagine an element of sexiness is combined with violence.
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