ABSTRACT
I abstract my thesis about the consistent dramatic method of Shakespeare’s early history play 2 Henry VI by exploring its emblematic representation in the Sander Simpcox episode (2.1.57–162). 1 In this scene, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, unmasks beggarly Simpcox as a fraud. Supposedly blind, Simpcox (his name a compound of simpleton and coxcomb) claims to have recovered his sight at St. Alban’s shrine. But Humphrey, suspecting a hoax, traps him by getting him to give correct names to various colors that he sees supposedly for the first time. “Sight may distinguish of colors,” Humphrey concludes, “but suddenly to nominate them all, it is impossible” (132–134). Simpcox has also claimed to be lame. When Suffolk asks him how he became crippled, Shakespeare crafts this significant dialogue: Simpcox A fall off of a tree. Wife A plum tree, master. Gloucester How long hast thou been blind? Simpcox O, born so, master. Gloucester What, and wouldst climb a tree? Simpcox But that in all my life, when I was a youth. Wife Too true, and bought his climbing very dear. Gloucester Mass, thou lov’dst plums well, that wouldst venture so. Simpcox Alas, good master, my wife desired some damsons and made me climb, with danger of my life. Gloucester A subtle knave! But yet it shall not serve. Let me see thine eyes. Wink now. Now open them. In my opinion yet thou seest not well. (97–110)
