In this play, there were shoemakers who try to achieve their goals, two of whom had to overcome hindrances to reunite with their loved ones, while the other was helped to work his way on top with one of the shoemakers. Lacy wants to marry Rose, who was beneath his social class, but their fathers do not like the union because of social class. As a result, Lacy become Hans the shoemaker. Although a hypocrite at first (in my opinion), Lacy somehow redeemed himself by helping Simon Eyre to be promoted, even though he did not become a honest man who fought for his country. Being a shoemaker was not easy and by the end of the play, Lacy’s hard work paid off when he helped Rose with her pair of shoes and the lovers were able to marry each other with the help of the King and mayor Eyre.
Ralph was more of a tragic figure than Hans and suffered more as a result. Unlike Lacy or his alter ego Hans, Ralph was honest to a fault, not wanting to go to the army as a newlywed, even though he seemed to have no choice. After the war, Ralph became lame and searched for his beloved wife, Jane, who was to be married to another man. Fortunately with the help of his wife’s shoes, Ralph managed to stop the union with Jane and Hammon, earning his happily ever after….or not because he cannot give birth to children because of his impotence.
Simon Eyre was once a shoemaker who became mayor with the help of Lacy. His charming personality attracted others around him. He was a character I believe returned the favor to Lacy by helping him to marry Jane, despite the fathers’ protests. Shoes are important in The Shoemaker’s Hoilday and a shoe could affect the fates of various characters in the play.
Let’s hope that it’s only Ralph’s leg that was damaged. If he were truly impotent, probably Margery wouldn’t have recognized it, given the way her mind is shown to work.