The name Uriah Heep refers to a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield. Uriah Heep is one of the main antagonists in the story who is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness and insincerity. Over time, the name “Uriah Heep” has come to symbolize hypocrisy, deceit and false humility in the English language.
The Character of Uriah Heep
In David Copperfield, Uriah Heep is introduced as a clerk in the London law firm of Wickfield and Heep. Heep is described as a tall, bony man with red hair and lank limbs who has a tendency to writhe his body in a repulsive way. Despite his menacing appearance, Heep repeatedly refers to himself as being “‘umble” or humble. Here is a description of Uriah Heep upon his first meeting with David Copperfield:
He was high-shouldered and bony; dressed in decent black, with a white wisp of a neckcloth; buttoned up to the throat; and had a long, lank, skeleton hand, which particularly attracted my attention, as he stood at the pony’s head, rubbing his chin with it.
Throughout the novel, Uriah Heep demonstrates a habit of constantly asserting his own humility and referencing his lowly status in an insincere and exaggerated manner. He often refers to himself as “Master Copperfield” or “Your ‘umble servant” when addressing other characters. This falsely modest behavior serves to mask Heep’s true ruthless, ambitious and devious nature.
Key Quotes about Uriah Heep’s Character:
“I am well aware that I am the ‘umblest person going,” said Uriah Heep, modestly; “let the other be where he may.”
“Oh, indeed!” said Uriah. “I was umble–to the dirt!”
“I heard it up in London, and consequently fell — I say consequently — into the otherwise erroneous belief that he was rather a distinguished person. To which he replied, ‘My umble thanks and compliments.'”
In each of these quotes, Uriah Heep makes a show of exaggerated humility and self-deprecation that highlights his insincerity.
How Uriah Heep Advances the Plot
As the story progresses, Uriah Heep uses his position at the law firm to gradually gain power and control over his employer Mr. Wickfield, who becomes dependent on alcohol. Heep exploits Wickfield while also working to ingratiate himself to Wickfield’s daughter Agnes and David Copperfield in an attempt to gain their trust.
Heep’s ultimate goal is to seize control of the law firm and marry Agnes, whom he lusts after, to gain access to the Wickfield family fortune. Through flattery, scheming and legal trickery, Heep advances his plot while continuing to maintain a facade of servility and humility.
Some key events involving Uriah Heep’s scheming include:
- Convincing Mr. Wickfield to become his partner in the law firm
- Gradually isolating Wickfield from his friends and loved ones
- Encouraging Wickfield’s drinking problem to maintain control over him
- Attempting to discredit others like Dr. Strong who might expose Heep’s misdeeds
- Forging documents to illegally benefit himself
Heep maintains his humble pretense while carrying out these underhanded activities. He is eventually exposed as a fraud when documents exposing his forgeries are revealed.
Uriah Heep’s Downfall
Uriah Heep meets his downfall after conspiring with Mr. Wickfield’s resentful former business partner, Mr. Micawber. Under Heep’s guidance, Micawber begins embezzling funds from Wickfield’s firm.
However, Micawber has a crisis of conscience and reveals Heep’s misdeeds and forgeries to David Copperfield. He also provides David with evidence of Heep’s financial trickery and fraud. Armed with this information, David confronts Heep and exposes him.
With his schemes unraveled, Uriah Heep is forcibly removed the premises. David summarizes Heep’s sudden reversal of fortune:
His imbecility, not his simplicity, made him defend himself with so miserable a pretense. The fight was over. He was ashamed. He hid his face…
Despite his best efforts, Uriah Heep is unable to maintain his facade of humility in the face of the truth. His downfall is rapid andabsolute. The other characters in the novel reflect on how completely they were taken in by his act.
The Meaning and Symbolism of the Name
The name Uriah Heep, therefore, has come to symbolize the concept of false humility. Some key symbolic associations include:
- Deceitfulness hidden beneath a modest, unassuming exterior
- Insincerity and hypocrisy disguising unscrupulous behavior
- The use of fake humility as a tool of manipulation
- Underhanded scheming masked by pretended servility
When the name Uriah Heep is invoked, it evokes images of a supposedly meek, unprepossessing man who uses claims of inferiority to mask sinister intentions and actions. It epitomizes the concept of the wolf in sheep’s clothing made famous in Aesop’s fables.
Examples of How the Name is Used
Here are some examples of how Uriah Heep’s name has become shorthand for false humility:
- The politician’s Uriah Heep promises of honesty should fool no one.
- She may appear unassuming but she’s a real Uriah Heep when it comes to getting ahead in her career.
- With his fawning, obsequious manner he’s a regular Uriah Heep when dealing with the boss.
In each case, the name references insincere humility and sly deception.
Difference Between Uriah Heep and a Sycophant
At first glance, Uriah Heep and the concept of a sycophant seem quite similar. However, there are some key differences:
- A sycophant may flatter openly to gain advantage, while Uriah Heep is distinguished by false humility used to mask his motives.
- Sycophancy may stem from a place of genuine, if exaggerated, admiration while Heep’s obsequiousness is purely calculated.
- Heep’s particular brand of sly deception and scheming goes beyond mere sycophantic flattery.
So while a sycophant may earnestly fawn over others for favor, Uriah Heep uses pretended humility in a dishonest, underhanded way to facilitate his goals.
Uriah Heep as a Byronic Hero
Some literary critics have argued that Uriah Heep has elements of what is known as a Byronic hero. Named for the English poet Lord Byron, Byronic heroes often share certain traits like:
- Beingscheming, cunning manipulators
- Hiding dark secrets or crimes
- Being seductive, charming, and charismatic
- Embodying a brooding, complex psychology
While an unconventional reading, Uriah Heep does contain shades of the Byronic hero archetype in his deviousness, seductiveness, and underlying malevolence. However, unlike classical Byronic heroes, Heep lacks the element of romantic allure usually associated with this character type.
Uriah Heep as a Villain
Within David Copperfield, Uriah Heep fulfills the classic role of the villain driven by ruthless ambition. As a villain, Heep displays certain distinctive traits:
- His underhanded plotting creates an impediment the hero (David Copperfield) must overcome.
- He disguises his true nature under a friendly facade.
- He has insidious objectives like stealing Agnes’ affections and the Wickfield fortune.
- He indulges in taboo behaviors like greed, deceit, and forgery to achieve his ends.
- His exposure and downfall restores justice and order.
Heep uses his purported humility ironically, making his villainy more reprehensible. His façade of humility and connection to evil has contributed to the symbolic associations with the name Uriah Heep.
Uriah Heep and Shakespeare’s Iago
Critics have compared Uriah Heep to one of literature’s most famous villains – Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello. While very different characters, Heep and Iago share certain key traits:
- They disguise their animus and ambition behind a friendly facade.
- Both manipulate their victims psychologically.
- Each character whispers lies and insinuations to undermine their foes.
- They feign humility and devotion as they scheme.
So while Heep uses false humility and Iago relies more on false friendship, their mechanics of deceit bear similarities. However, Iago’s motivations are less defined, making him the more enigmatic, ambiguous villain of the two.
Conclusion
In summary, the name Uriah Heep has become shorthand in the English language for sanctimonious hypocrisy and deceitful behavior hiding sinister intentions. The character of Uriah Heep uses his exaggerated humility ironically as he schemes and manipulates those around him for power and gain. His ultimate exposure and downfall reaffirm the themes of justice and truth. As such, calling someone “a Uriah Heep” immediately conveys a layered meaning of insincerity, cunning and disguise. The archetypal symbolism and connotations of the name have far outlived Dickens’ original character.