Humpty Dumpty

Introductory Context - Common Characteristics of Humpty Dumpty

Since Humpty Dumpty began as a riddle with the answer most often revealed through the egg-like figure in the illustrations, there is not a great deal of variation in the composition of the images accompanying this rhyme. Rather this egg-person has become one of the most beloved, and instantly recognizable, characters in all of children’s literature. What do change markedly in these illustrations are Humpty’s facial expressions and costuming. Clothing places Humpty in different times and places, and expressions show him as startled, complacent, frightened, or sometimes just downright silly. Essentially, there are three possible scenes for this rhyme (Sitting on the wall, Falling, or The broken aftermath of the fall), and artists either select one of these to illustrate or create a sequence of all three. Occasionally, the wall itself is the focal point of an illustration, leaving the viewer to wonder what took place at that site.

The Oxford English Dictionary records that Humpty Dumpty is the name of an ale-and-brandy drink of the late 17 th century or a short clumsy person of either sex. Although none of these illustrations show Humpty Dumpty as female, the short clumsy egg shape, and perhaps even the drink, might contribute to the character’s fall.