In The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio uses an austringer's methods to tame Kate. She is not allowed sleep or food until she bends to his will. The bird gets no sleep or food, but this must be done without bullying or signs of force; hard to achieve when the austringer must stay awake with her. In Petruchio's case, he gets no food either. He explains exactly what he will do before starting the treatment.

This is how a wild-caught hawk, like T. H. White's, would have been trained. The process may be similar to breaking a horse. Hand-reared birds would have been easier to train.

Othello uses hawking imagery speaking of Desdemona ('If I do prove her haggard' etc).

Valmai