Though SHOEING-HORNS be out of date yet horns are as plentiful as ever

Insights

Constancy of Infidelity

The proverb uses a pun to make a cynical observation about marital infidelity. While a specific object (the shoeing-horn) may become obsolete, a timeless human condition—cuckoldry, symbolized by 'horns'—persists unchanged through generations.

Social Satire

It serves as a satirical commentary on the gap between appearance and reality. Fashions and customs ('shoeing-horns') change on the surface, but the underlying truths of human behavior, such as unfaithfulness, remain constant and widespread.

Moral Stagnation

The proverb suggests that while society progresses in terms of tools and trends, it makes no equivalent progress in terms of morality. It's a wry statement that human nature is resistant to change, regardless of external innovations.

Symbolism of Cuckoldry

The proverb's meaning is entirely dependent on the historical and cultural symbolism of 'horns' as a sign of cuckoldry—a mark of shame for a man whose wife is unfaithful. This was a pervasive and potent symbol in early modern English society, frequently used in literature and theatre to explore themes of masculinity, jealousy, and social reputation.

Literary and Cultural Context

This proverb fits squarely within the literary traditions of the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly in drama, where cuckoldry was a common comedic and tragic theme. It reflects a cynical, worldly-wise perspective on human relationships, echoing the satirical tone found in the works of playwrights like Shakespeare and Jonson.

Permanence of Human Nature

The proverb draws a sharp contrast between technological or fashionable obsolescence ('shoeing-horns out of date') and the perceived permanence of human moral failings ('horns are as plentiful as ever'). It implies that superficial societal changes do not alter fundamental, and often unflattering, aspects of human nature.

Psychological Cynicism

Psychologically, the proverb expresses a form of social cynicism, treating infidelity not as a shocking transgression but as a predictable and constant feature of human society. This fatalistic humor serves as a way to comment on and cope with societal anxieties surrounding marriage and fidelity.

Rhetorical Devices

Pun

The entire proverb hinges on a pun or double entendre, playing on the two meanings of 'horns': the literal shoeing-horn and the metaphorical horns of a cuckold.

Antithesis

A distinct contrast is drawn between something 'out of date' (the tool) and something 'plentiful as ever' (infidelity), which effectively highlights the proverb's cynical message about unchanging human nature.

Irony

The proverb uses a mundane object, the shoeing-horn, to deliver a sharp and ironic social commentary on the prevalence of marital unfaithfulness in society.