Judge — March 26, 1898 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon by Victor Gillam depicting a central female figure (likely representing Europe or a nation) surrounded by smaller caricatured male figures labeled "Stock Broker" and others, amid scenes of death and destruction. The classical reference to Shakespeare's "To be or not to be" suggests existential crisis. The cartoon appears to critique financial speculation and stock market manipulation during wartime or economic turmoil. The dead bodies and ruined architecture indicate the human cost of financial schemes. The smaller figures—identified as stock brokers—are portrayed as parasitic vultures profiting from widespread suffering and destruction. The overall message seems to be that financial elites exploit national crises for personal gain, while ordinary people suffer the consequences.