One may rub critics and fans the wrong way. But when it comes to a cat or cat lovers, do it at your own peril.
A near-viral anecdote by Jessie Buckley has led to a belated digital inquisition against the Irish actor. She is widely tipped for Oscar glory for playing Shakespeare’s wife Agnes in Chole’ Zhao’s Hammet.
On a podcast in November, Buckley recalled giving her then boyfriend now husband an ultimatum over his pets, one of whom seems to have taken an irrational dislike to her.
“It’s me or the cats”she had said.The cats lost the tug of war.
The cat lovers are not amused. That single act of heartlessness, the cat brigade has pointed out, lead to her losing out on the Oscar.
Feline retribution ? Buckley has since attempted a diplomatic retreat.
She claims to be a committed cat lover. She has also auditioned for the 2019 musical, the Cats.
But in a court of public opinion evidence is considered only insofar as it confirms built or prejudice. Or to put it in Shakespeare’s words “The lady protests too much.”
Fandom of cats can be traced to ancient Egypt where the felines were associated with goddess Baster, protector of hearth and home. Killing a cat even by accident was punishable by death..
Owners shaved their eyebrows when the family died. The mourning period ended only when the brows grew back.
When it comes to cats not much has changed except raised brows replacing shaved ones. Cats continue to enjoy the advantage of mine lives and an audience predisposed to root for them.
