Dowden says, “Cerimon, who is master of the secrets of nature, who is liberal in his ‘learned charity,’ who held it ever
‘Virtue and cunning were endowments greater Than nobleness and riches,’
is like a first study of Prospero;” while Furnivall thinks that he represents to some extent the famous Stratford physician, Dr. John Hall, who married Shakespeare’s eldest daughter Susanna.
What an excellent physician was Gerard de Narbon, Helena’s father, who is referred to in All’s Well:
This young gentlewoman had a father, whose skill was almost as great as his honesty; had it stretched so far, would have made Nature immortal, and death should have play for lack of work. Would, for the king’s sake, he were living! I think it would be the death of the king’s disease. * * * * He was famous, sir, in his profession, and it was his right to be so. * * * The king * * * spoke of him admiringly and mournfully: he was skillful enough to have lived still, if knowledge could be set up against mortality.
Act I., Sc. I.
How long is’t, count, Since the physician at your father’s died? If he were living, I would try him yet;— * * * * * the rest have worn me out With several applications: nature and sickness Debate it at their leisure. Act I., Sc. II.
My father’s skill, which was the greatest of his profession. Act I., Sc. III.
Another worthy physician is to be found in Cymbeline. Cornelius argues with the queen against her designs, and failing in this he completely thwarts her murderous intentions by giving her a false compound.
Queen. Now, master doctor, have you brought those drugs?