Which Shakespeare play included the famous stage direction Exit Pursued By A Bear?
Asked on: Sep 15, 2023 05:37 AM
Alright, let's dive into the world of Shakespeare for a moment. The famous stage direction "Exit, pursued by a bear" is from the play "The Winter's Tale". It's one of the most famous stage directions in all of Shakespeare's works, mainly because it's just so unexpected and kind of funny. I mean, imagine you're watching this serious play and then suddenly, out of nowhere, a character is chased off stage by a bear! It certainly keeps things interesting.
This particular stage direction occurs in Act 3, Scene 3. The unfortunate character being pursued by the bear is Antigonus. Poor Antigonus doesn't stand much of a chance against the bear and sadly, he never returns to the play. But his exit certainly leaves an impression!
So there you have it - "Exit, pursued by a bear" from "The Winter's Tale". Just another example of how Shakespeare liked to keep his audiences on their toes! Remember this next time you're watching a play - who knows when a wild animal might make an appearance?
Reference: Folger Shakespeare Library - The Winter's Tale
