COLL¹ under canstick,² he can play with both hands

Insights

Deception and Duplicity

Describes a person who is a master of double-dealing, skillfully engaging in deceitful behavior ('playing with both hands') while keeping their true motives hidden ('under canstick').

Hidden Manipulation

Symbolizes the act of operating in secret or just beyond scrutiny. The candlestick represents truth or oversight, and the action 'under' it is a manipulation that avoids detection.

Cunning and Skill

Emphasizes the proficiency of the deceiver. This is not simple dishonesty, but a sophisticated, practiced ability to manage multiple conflicting roles or schemes simultaneously.

Historical Dissimulation

Rooted in the 16th century, the proverb reflects the political and social necessity of dissimulation, particularly in treacherous environments like the Tudor court, where appearing to serve multiple interests was a survival skill. The 1546 quotation explicitly links it to 'dissimulacion'.

The Archetype of the Trickster

The proverb encapsulates the archetypal trickster figure—a character who uses wit and cunning to operate outside the rules. The 'jugglery' under the light source is a classic image of misdirection and clever deceit.

Psychological Manipulation

It offers a sharp insight into the psychology of a manipulator, who creates an area of obscurity ('under canstick') to conceal their actions while projecting an image of mastery and control ('play with both hands').

Rhetorical Devices

Symbolism

The 'candlestick' symbolizes open knowledge or truth, while the action 'under' it represents secrecy and the unseen. 'Coll' (jugglery) itself symbolizes the act of deceit.

Idiom

The phrase 'play with both hands' is a potent idiom for duplicity, conveying the ability to handle two opposing sides or tasks with deceptive ease.

Alliteration and Consonance

The repeated hard 'c'/'k' sounds in 'Coll', 'canstick', and 'can' create a sharp, rhythmic quality that underscores the cunning and precise nature of the deception.