What Does fierce Mean
With etymological origin in the Latin ferus , beast is a term that usually refers to a wild animal . The beasts, in this sense, are animals of species that have not been domesticated. For example: "Do not move away from the path: this forest is full of beasts" , "The beast attacked the child, causing him serious injuries" , "The guide explained that the beasts of the jungle try to hide when beings approach humans ” .
The idea is also linked to aggressiveness or anger : “Pablo has been a fierce beast since he found out that he will have to work during the weekends” , “When the police tried to take his son away, the woman became like a beast ” .
Another use of the notion alludes to a brutal or cruel individual : “This beast did not stop beating the child until it took his life” , “Such a beast should spend the rest of its life in prison” , “To the guards security cost them to dominate the beast that attacked three people with shovels because they were wearing the shirt of a foreign team " .
It is important to mention that in certain contexts, especially in sport , beast is used as a positive qualification , since the concept is related to intensity , courage and impetus : “The Argentine tennis player was a beast and managed to win after recover from five match points against ” , “ The Chilean forward was a fierce beast and scored three goals in twenty minutes ” , “ Well, beast! Keep it up ” .
Finally, fierce can mention ugliness : "I don't understand how such a beautiful girl married such a fierce man" , "When she was little she was fierce, but over the years she got prettier . "
The House of Beasts
In the Parque del Buen Retiro, generally known as El Retiro , located in Madrid, is the Casa de Fieras , an old zoological park that today is called Jardines del Arquitecto Herrero Palacios .
Madrid had its first zoo at the end of the 18th century, after Carlos III ordered the creation of an animal park where today the Cuesta de Moyano is located , in a portion of the Buen Retiro palace, specifically its gardens. This construction was designed as a complement to the Museum of Natural Sciences, which he wanted to build in the current Prado Museum, near the Botanical Garden.
It is worth mentioning that it was the second zoo in the entire European continent, only preceded by Vienna. It is important to note that these spaces were created to study animals for scientific purposes, and also to hold fights between bulls, tigers and lions, for example. Although it is hard to believe, these heinous clashes were carried out to receive honored guests from other countries or even to celebrate holidays such as baptisms.
Throughout the 18th century, the animals of the House of Beasts came mainly from Latin America, from where the governors and viceroys of the colony sent them; among the most prominent species are toucans, macaws, pumas , ocelots, alligators, snakes and apes. The story also tells that the governor of the Philippines gave the zoo an elephant, which they made to walk from Cádiz to Madrid.
Almost at the beginning of the 19th century, the facilities moved to the corner of the park that is close to the Puerta de Alcalá . The animals considered the most dangerous were kept locked up in the cages that formed part of the so-called "Leonera". Due to the French invasion, many animals died and the House of Beasts went through its worst moment.