Meaning & Analysis
An animal, like a donkey or dog, literally shakes its head and ears, often after being unburdened, released, or dismissed. The expression transfers this animalistic action to a person who has been rejected or is no longer needed.
Insights
Contemptuous Dismissal
The primary meaning is a contemptuous dismissal. It is an idiomatic way of telling someone to get lost, signaling that their presence or efforts are no longer required or desired.
Forced Idleness
After being used and dismissed, the person is left with nothing to do. The proverb signifies a forced state of idleness and uselessness, much like a pack animal turned out to pasture after its work is done.
Implication of Foolishness
The association with the 'ass' (donkey), a traditional symbol of foolishness, implies that the dismissed person has been made to look like a fool. They are left to ponder their own gullibility or failure.
Failure and Defeat
The expression can also signify the culmination of a failed endeavor. The person is sent away empty-handed and defeated, left only with the frustrating and impotent gesture of shaking their head.
Beast of Burden Imagery
The proverb's power is rooted in the zoomorphic comparison of a dismissed person to a beast of burden, particularly an ass. In a world reliant on such animals, the image of turning one loose after its load was removed was a potent and universally understood metaphor for being used and then contemptuously discarded.
Literary and Political Context
Shakespeare's use in 'Julius Caesar'—where Lepidus is compared to an 'empty ass' to be turned off after serving his purpose—crystallizes the proverb's theme of cynical exploitation and betrayal. It elevates a common dismissal to a commentary on political treachery.
Psychology of Contempt
The act of telling someone to 'go shake his ears' is a psychological tool for dehumanization and social exclusion. It establishes the speaker's dominance by demoting the target to the status of an animal, thereby justifying their rejection or dismissal.
Rhetorical Devices
Zoomorphism
The proverb's core is a powerful animal metaphor, comparing a person to a beast of burden (specifically an ass) to convey dismissal and contempt.
Imagery
The physical act of an animal shaking its ears creates a vivid, memorable, and insulting mental picture that enhances the proverb's dismissive force.
Symbolism
The 'ears', particularly when linked to a donkey, serve as a symbol for the entire person's state of foolishness and rejection.
Transcription
Quotations
For nether of you both, a pin doo I care: Goe shake your eares both.
And as for gentle M. Gawber, his Mastership may go shake his eares elswhere, and appoint his diet at sum other table.
Il est au bout de sa corde. He can doe no more, he can goe no further; he may put vp his pipes, goe shake his eares.
They shut their Gates against him, and made him go shake his Ears, and to shift for his Lodgings.
And Tom may go shake his long eares like an asse.
Goe shake your eares.
Shakespeare Citations
Having brought our treasure where we will, Then take we down his load, and turn him off (Like to the empty ass) to shake his ears.
Go shake your ears!
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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