Homer in Wales (“Punch” 1873)

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Homer in Wales

John Tenniel

Punch 65 (30 August 1873): 83.

Nunquam Bonus Dormitat Homerus! [Homer is turning over in his grave!]

Mr. GLADSTONE, at the great Eisteddfod, said, ‘Yours is an ancient language, and the language is connected with an ancient history, and it is connected with an ancient music and with an ancient literature. It is a venerable relic of the past, and there is no greater folly circulating upon the earth than the disposition to undervalue the past.’ [But he strongly urged every Welsh person to learn English.]— Aug. 19, 1873.

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Tenniel has depicted Gladstone, a serious scholar of Greek, in classical garb, which is both inaccurate and insulting — inaccurate because Homer hardly wore idealized Roman clothing and insulting because he’s singing Greek at the great Welsh singing contest. The close of the caption explains the insult, in that Gladstone has come to the great celebration of the Welsh language, praising it for its historical significance but telling his audiebnce they must learn English, the conquerer’s tongue. — George P. Landow

Last modified 6 April 2022r