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Cartoon, The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver
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Cartoon, The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver
Cartoon, The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver. Scene: Gulliver manoeuvring with his little Boat in the Cistern. By James Gillray. A satire on King George III and Napoleon Bonaparte. Date: 1804
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Media ID 14230263
© The Sharp Illustration Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1800s 1804 Amusement Blowing Bonaparte Brobdingnag Cistern Comment Criticism Fans Gillray Gulliver Harsh Manoeuvring Napoleon Parody Princes Princesses Sail Satire Satirical Swift Wind
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print by James Gillray, titled 'The King of Brobdingnag and Gulliver. Scene: Gulliver manoeuvring with his little Boat in the Cistern,' is a brilliant example of the satirical political commentary that dominated the 1800s. The cartoon, created in 1804, is a parody of the famous tale 'Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift, with a sharp political edge. Gillray masterfully employs the characters from Swift's story to criticize the political landscape of his time. In this scene, we see Gulliver, the hapless protagonist, attempting to navigate his tiny boat in the vast cistern of the Brobdingnagian palace. The King of Brobdingnag, a colossal figure representing King George III of Britain, and his royal family look on amusedly from the balcony above. The French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, depicted as a giant fly, hovers menacingly nearby. The satire is multi-layered. The King of Brobdingnag represents the British monarchy, with its perceived arrogance and detachment from the common people. Gulliver, struggling to sail in the cistern, symbolizes the British people, who feel powerless against the whims of their rulers. The fly, Napoleon Bonaparte, represents the French threat to British dominance. The print's humor lies in its exaggeration of the political situation, with the King of Brobdingnag and his family enjoying the amusing spectacle of Gulliver's predicament. The blowing wind, symbolizing the unpredictable political climate, adds to the sense of chaos and uncertainty. This cartoon is a fascinating glimpse into the political climate of the early 19th century, offering a humorous yet harsh commentary on the power dynamics between Britain and France. It remains an intriguing piece of historical art, providing valuable insights into the satirical tradition and the use of humor as a tool for political commentary.
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