Life — February 27, 1908 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Bonaparte and the Sphinx" - Life Magazine Cartoon The top illustration depicts a figure with a modern bearded face grafted onto the Great Sphinx of Giza. A small soldier on horseback (representing Napoleon) gazes up at it. This is satirical commentary on Napoleon's Egyptian campaign and his self-aggrandizing legacy. By replacing the Sphinx's ancient face with a contemporary bearded man's portrait, the cartoonist mocks Napoleon's attempt to impose himself on history and align himself with timeless monuments. Below is a drama section discussing a theatrical adaptation of Sophocles' "Electra," praising Mrs. Patrick Campbell's performance. The article notes that translating Greek tragedy into modern English is challenging, and Campbell successfully navigated these difficulties while delivering emotionally powerful characterization.