The "eye gouged" actor wasn't, and all could tell; it's still hard to do certain things with perfect realism on live stage. Not so on a modern film in the age of Photoshop.
The Londoners back then had more than their share of real violence. Public executions were still a big attraction. A couple of uncensored diaries from the period relay fond memories of renting rooms facing the execution at high prices for the purposes of having sex while watching some guy die.
Bear-bating was big. I think -- though not sure -- that ratting was also a big deal during that time.