Life — October 5, 1928 — page 35: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a **Coca-Cola advertisement** disguised as literary satire. The page humorously claims that a quote from Shakespeare's *Macbeth* ("Fill full. I drink to the general joy o' the whole table") is actually about Coca-Cola. The joke: The ad suggests that Macbeth, as a powerful king, could hold his audience captive during long speeches. Similarly, modern after-dinner speakers talk as long as possible. Therefore, Macbeth must have elaborated his brief toast into a lengthy speech promoting Coca-Cola—a "modern invitation" to drink the beverage. The cartoon depicts characters in medieval/Shakespearean costume raising Coca-Cola bottles in celebration. **The satire's point**: By attributing Coca-Cola promotion to Shakespeare himself, the advertisement playfully claims the drink is timeless and universally appealing—even worthy of literary endorsement. The bottom tagline "8 million a day" suggests Coca-Cola's enormous consumption. This is pure commercial propaganda wrapped in clever wordplay rather than genuine political or social commentary.