Actors brought attention to their eyes by making up with dark shadow (even the poorest could apply soot with a knitting needle) and by pointing phrases through the silent use of eye and brow motion. Here are some pictures of extremely effective non-verbal communication through the eyes. (Some of the pictures are viewed better in larger form by clicking on the image.)
Edmund Kean himself, as Richard III.
Charles Fechter "showing the whites of his eyes", as it was called, as Hamlet, with his gravedigger friend similarly using his optics.
An early example -- Sarah Siddons as Lady Macbeth. A pause to take a stance and direct one's eyes off character or off stage created a frozen moment of emotion.
Madame Celeste freezes another moment. Note the typical positioning of the face away from the body to increase mood.
From the sublime to the ridiculous...unknown actors silently emote.
Edwin Booth in one of his more famous roles as Cardinal Richilieu. Notice the eyebrows' effect in exaggerating the eyes, reminiscent of Kean.
Another Hamlet, this time Beerbohm Tree. You can see that actors who can show white completely around the eye were better equipped for expressing strong emotion.
A carte de visite (sold in theatres and stationery stores) of light comedian E. A. Sothern in a sober mood.
Maude Adams, showing demure charm by the feminine stereotype of "looking through the eyelashes".
