Hudibras in Tribulation (Seventeen Small Illustrations for Samuel Butler's Hudibras, no. 7) 1721 - 1726

This etching by William Hogarth illustrates Samuel Butler's Hudibras and presents a scene of public humiliation. The stocks, a wooden framework with holes for securing the feet and hands, are central. This instrument of public punishment, rooted in medieval times, served not only to restrain but to expose individuals to ridicule. The image evokes the ancient Roman "pillory," a symbolic pillar of shame. Similarly, the "tree of infamy", common in medieval and renaissance Italy, was used to display the condemned, who would be exposed to the jeers of the masses. Such punishments were intended to inflict psychological pain, publicly degrading the individual’s standing in the community. Observe the emotional responses around the stocks. Hogarth captures the complex interplay of shame, derision, and empathy. He demonstrates a deep understanding of how public shaming impacts collective memory, forever marking individuals and communities. It’s a scene of intense emotional power.