They left him as bare of MONEY as an ape of a tail

Insights

Complete Destitution

The proverb describes a state of absolute financial ruin, where an individual is stripped of all resources, often through deceit or exploitation, leaving them utterly destitute.

Vulnerability and Humiliation

Being left 'bare' suggests a state of profound vulnerability and humiliation. The comparison to an ape, an animal often seen as a caricature of humanity, underscores the shame and loss of dignity accompanying such a loss.

Exploitation and Deceit

The proverb implies that the destitution is the result of being swindled, cheated, or robbed. The active phrasing 'They left him' points to malicious action by others, highlighting the theme of victimization.

Symbolism of Folly

In Renaissance symbolism, apes often represented folly, sin, and base imitation. The proverb thus implies that the person left penniless was not just a victim but likely a fool who, through activities like gambling, was reduced to a primal, undignified state.

Zoological Imagery

The effectiveness of the simile relies on the common zoological knowledge distinguishing tailless apes from tailed monkeys. This creates a vivid, slightly comical, and memorable image for the abstract concept of absolute financial ruin.

Underworld Literary Context

The proverb's use in texts like Greene's 'A notable discovery of cozenage' firmly roots it in the literature of the Elizabethan underworld, highlighting themes of deception, cheating, and the swift, total ruin that could befall the unwary in urban settings.

Psychology of Absolute Loss

The comparison to a permanent, natural state—an ape's inherent lack of a tail—psychologically amplifies the finality and totality of the financial loss, suggesting a state of irreversible destitution.

Rhetorical Devices

Simile

The core of the proverb is a powerful simile that makes the abstract concept of poverty concrete and visually striking by comparing it to an ape's taillessness.

Hyperbole

The comparison to a biological certainty creates a hyperbolic effect, emphasizing the absolute and seemingly irreversible nature of the financial ruin.

Animal Imagery

The proverb creates a strong, slightly absurd visual of a tailless ape, which contrasts with the serious plight of the person, making the saying more memorable and impactful.