Jacques and the Wounded Stag (Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 1) 1830

Editor: So, this is David Lucas’s print, "Jacques and the Wounded Stag," made in 1830, and it depicts a scene from Shakespeare's "As You Like It." It’s so atmospheric and brooding. What do you see in this work that gives it such gravity? Curator: It's a fascinating choice of subject. Consider the cultural context: the Romantic era’s fascination with nature and its power finds expression in literary subjects like Shakespeare, where strong emotions intertwine with social commentary. Note how the wounded stag becomes a symbol for societal ills observed by Jacques, Shakespeare's melancholic observer. How does Lucas use imagery to convey such a message? Editor: I see what you mean. The way the stag is hidden among the fallen trees, almost camouflaged. And Jacques almost blends with his surrounding; this is so different from the glorifying depiction of nature usually shown. What do you mean by societal ills? Curator: Exactly. It invites critique. Hunting, particularly the treatment of animals, can be viewed through a social and political lens. The nobility's pursuit of hunting rights often clashed with the commoners' struggles for survival. The art serves to expose and criticize societal injustices that were prevalent at the time. In doing so, how did it impact how nature was received? Editor: Interesting... This connects the landscape itself to those historical social tensions of the period! Thanks, it really highlights the historical role this drawing could have played. Curator: Precisely. Analyzing the historical context helps unlock the layers of meaning within the work. And perhaps, recognize ourselves in it.