Monocle

A monocle is a type of spectacles (corrective lenses) used to correct the vision in only one eye. It consists of a circular lens, generally with a wire ring around the circumference that can be attached to a string. The other end of the string is then connected to the wearer's clothing to avoid losing the monocle.

Related Topics:
Spectacles - Corrective lens - Eye

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The monocle itself is not so much worn as it is held in place by the wearer's facial muscles. The monocle is sized such that it can be held in place between the wearer's eyebrow and upper cheek by a slight squint. Because of this, the monocle can easily fall off with the wrong facial expression. A standard comedic device exploits this: an upper-class gentleman drops his monocle when he pulls a shocked expression (possibly due to the unexpected appearance of someone in a chicken suit). The monocle may either fall into the gentleman's drink, or smash into pieces on the floor. Due largely to the prevalence of this comedic device, monocles are a cliché of low comedy.

Related Topics:
Eyebrow - Cheek - Facial - Cliché

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Usage of a monocle is generally associated with rich upper-class men. Combined with a tuxedo and top-hat, it completes the costume of a stereotypical gentleman. Monocles may be also be found in the perception of German military officers, most notable from the First World War, where the stereotypical German Oberst would plot the demise of enemy forces with monocle in place to examine attack charts. German officers who actually wore a monocle include Erich Ludendorff, Walter von Reichenau, Hans von Seeckt and Hugo Sperrle.

Related Topics:
Tuxedo - Top-hat - Gentleman - First World War - Oberst - Charts - Erich Ludendorff - Walter von Reichenau - Hans von Seeckt - Hugo Sperrle

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Monocles were most prevalent in the late 19th Century but are rarely worn today. This due in large part to advances in optometry which allow for better determination of vision and also the ability to produce glasses and contact lenses with varying strengths in each eye.

Related Topics:
19th Century - Optometry - Glasses - Contact lenses

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Perhaps the most famous figure known to wear monocoles and indeed the first one to be reported doing so is, Roman Emperor Nero who wore an emerald monocle to view Gladiator fights.

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Some other famous figures known for wearing monocles include British politician Joseph Chamberlain and his son Austen, Muslim nationalist Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Portuguese President António de Spínola, filmmakers Fritz Lang and Erich von Stroheim, Dadaists Tristan Tzara and Raoul Hausmann, Mr. Peanut, Batman's nemesis The Penguin, esotericist Julius Evola, and Colonel Klink, played by actor Werner Klemperer (who once admitted his was held in place with spirit gum). The fictional character Lord Peter Wimsey, an amateur detective from an upper-class background, possessed a set of detecting tools disguised as more gentlemanly accessories, including a powerful magnifying glass disguised as a monocle. The character Cho Hakkai from the anime Saiyuki wears a monocle over his right eye.

Related Topics:
Joseph Chamberlain - Austen - Mohammad Ali Jinnah - António de Spínola - Fritz Lang - Erich von Stroheim - Dada - Tristan Tzara - Raoul Hausmann - Mr. Peanut - The Penguin - Julius Evola - Colonel Klink - Werner Klemperer - Lord Peter Wimsey - Magnifying glass - Cho Hakkai - Anime - Saiyuki

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Famous wearers today include astronomer Sir Patrick Moore and former boxer Chris Eubank.

Related Topics:
Astronomer - Sir Patrick Moore - Boxer - Chris Eubank

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See also pince nez.

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