The Rival Richards, or Sheakspear in Danger 1814

This satirical print, *The Rival Richards, or Sheakspear in Danger*, by William Heath, depicts William Shakespeare being pulled in opposite directions by two actors, both playing the role of King Richard III, who were rival stars at the time. The print was made in 1814, and it mocks the rivalry between the actors, Edmund Kean and John Philip Kemble, who were both known for their interpretations of Shakespeare's characters. The print humorously suggests that Shakespeare himself is in danger of being pulled apart by the two actors' competing interpretations. This cartoon, typical of the artistic style of the day, is a good example of a historical document in the form of art.