Life — April 12, 1917 — page 27: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon titled "In Ye Goode Olde Days" showing a medieval or Renaissance-era banquet hall scene. The subtitle reads "Ye Barde Readeth Ye Springe Poemme" (The Bard Reads the Spring Poem). The humor appears to target pretentious attempts to revive or romanticize antiquated literary and social customs. The crowded, chaotic scene with numerous figures in period dress—some appearing disheveled or engaged in undignified behavior—mocks the notion that such "olde days" were inherently more refined or poetic than modern times. The archaic spelling ("ye," "poemme") reinforces the satirical tone, suggesting contemporary affectation when adopting historical aesthetics. The cartoon likely critiques early 20th-century enthusiasm for medievalism or mock-historical entertainment among American society.