One might expect the involvement of a people with any one particular aspect of their environment to be evident from their writings, stories and art. Fishing nations, farming countries or hunting tribes all testify to this. If we are looking for a measure of the involvement of mankind with a particular group of animals, we should investigate their occurrence in our cultural expression. This is all the more interesting in the case of carnivores, when such expression may be used to teach our kin about the hazards of life.

CARNIVORES IN CLASSICAL LITERATURE

Centuries ago, during the Middle Ages and in one of the parables that was customary at the time, the topic focused on the court. King Noble the Lion, it was written, decrees that there shall be no more aggravation between his subjects: there shall be peace for everyone. But alas, alas, Reynard the Fox continues his evil machinations, attacking all and sundry. Hersent, the beloved wife of the courtier Isengrin the Wolf is raped by Reynard, after he persuades her husband to become a monk because the food is so good in a monastery. Surely justice will prevail when Reynard is summoned before King Noble to answer for his misdeeds? Alas again, justice there is none, and the murderous villain emerges victorious. The low, cunning Reynard retires to his castle, having left a trail of damage and indignation amongst the loyal citizens (Varty 1967).