Life, 1889-12-26 · page 12 of 55
Life — December 26, 1889 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 364 This page satirizes **Richard Mansfield**, a prominent American actor of the era, performing Shakespeare's *King Richard III*. The main sketch mocks his theatrical ambitions by reimagining the famous Tower murder scene where Richard kills the young princes. The satire's targets: 1. **"Caletum Light and Grease Paint"** are puns on theatrical elements—stage lighting and makeup—replacing actual murderers, suggesting Mansfield relies on technical effects rather than genuine acting. 2. **"Duke of Boston"** appears to be a jab at Mansfield's pretensions (he was known for grandiose self-promotion). 3. The joke: Mansfield is so obsessed with commercial success ("lure the dollars / From the pockets of those unwilling churls") that even a serious tragic scene becomes a crass money-making venture. The secondary cartoons mock linguistic/gender confusion in everyday speech—a lighter satirical touch. The overall message critiques theatrical commercialism and overwrought acting of the period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
COs AAR oT NEES B71 \KSS KING RICHARD III. SCENE—THE TOWER. (Enter the ghost of King Henry the Sixth.) KING HENRY: ‘Tis now the hour When we are wont each night to come To have foul murder done upon our royal persons, And Lalone am here of all our royal house. (Enter ghost of Edward.) EpWARD: Nay, not so my royal sire. 1 too am here, and look, hither come The royal princes, ready likewise to give up Their little tender lives to satisfy the greed Of Richard Mansfield, Duke of Bos- ton. [Enter the ghosts of the Princes.) \ ‘Tis well. And now are we provided With full copiousness of gore to whet the sword Of this fell knave. But hold! I had well nigh forgot ‘The king's English, which is likewise to be murdered. THE PRINCES: We are weary and fain would rest. We are young so often to be murdered. [Enter Richard Mansfield attended by the two murder- ers, Caletum Light and Grease Paint.) — almost MANSFIELD: What ho! me jolly ghosts, and are ye ripe To ‘gin our nightly carnival of gore ? THE Guosts (/ugubriously): We are. MANSFIELD: Then to it. Blare, clarions, blare! And ye, ye soft and soothing trombones, Put on your gentlest measures to lure the dollars From the pockets of those unwilling churls Who fain would work their crafty tricks Upon our trusty door-keep. [The ghosts arrange themselves to be murdered, whit Mansfield confers apart with Grease Paint and Caleium Light. Advances to front of stage.) As I intend to prosper and repent, So thrive I in me dangerous attempt To win the loftiest laurels of the modern stage. No Booth, no Barrett shall me effort stay; WRONG GENDER. Charlotte (who lisps, overhears Uncle James speaking of the “ Myth of Santa Claus"): Wy, 1 THOUGHT HE Was A Mfithter! OR THE OTHERS ALL OVER THE CITY? se OUR name is?” “Mud.” “Oh indeed. Any relation to the Mud on Broadway ? Teacher (after reading aloud the story of Jonah and the whale): AND NOW MY LITTLE MEN CAN YOU TELL ME WHO FELL INTO THE SEA—— The Entire Class toa Man (interrupting): MCGiNTY! comicbooks.com