Early Sketches for Falstaff, Midsummer Night's Dream n.d.

These "Early Sketches for Falstaff, Midsummer Night's Dream" were created by George Cruikshank, a prominent British caricaturist and illustrator known for his work in the late 18th and 19th centuries. During this period, the British Empire’s identity was complex, marked by industrialization and social stratification. Cruikshank lived in a time of significant social and political change, and his art often reflected these shifts through satire and social commentary. Here, Cruikshank sketches characters from Shakespeare's plays. Consider the role of Shakespearean plays in shaping British identity and cultural values during the 18th and 19th centuries. Also, recognize the class dynamics inherent in the plays and how Cruikshank's interpretations might have been influenced by his own social standing and political views. Cruikshank's sketches thus, become a window into the cultural and social fabric of his time.