Soliloquy Analysis: Now might I do it pat (3.3.77-100)
Humorism, the humoral theory, or humoralism, was a system of medicine detailing a supposed makeup and workings of the human body, adopted by Ancient Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers . Phlegm was cold and wet, and related to winter and water. Hamlet: Q & A, The Elder Hamlet: The Kingship of Hamlet's Father, The Death of Polonius and its Impact on Hamlet's Character, Hamlet's Melancholy: The Transformation of the Prince. Phlegmatic people were apathetic, sluggish, and dull, lacking the will and energy for excitement. Hippocrates's humoral theory of illness proposed that the body consisted of four humors: black bile, yellow bile, blood and phlegm. Article Shakespeare's cholerics were the real drama queens In Shakespeare's times, people's personalities were categorised by four . Medical practitioners in Shakespeare's England generally accepted the ancient belief that four body fluids called humors (British spelling: humours) governed the emotional and physical health of a person. %PDF-1.7
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Research the structure and function of thehuman body through our anatomy archive, Immerse yourself in the medieval past and explore what we have in common with the Middle Ages, Architecture affects our health in profound ways. 255 lessons. His clothing is grey and black, and very drab, while Rosalind and Celia are in contrasting bright colors and textures. Loeb Classical Library. The four temperament theory is a proto-psychological theory which suggests that there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. William Shakespeare: profile. As Sir Herbert Tree has recently said: "But for humor he should go mad. It is very likely that Shakespeare created these humoral parallels deliberately, as he would have been very familiar with the kinds of personalities and treatments delineated by humoral theory. What is Phlebotomy? Yet Shakespeare understood personality and health in the terms available to his agethat of the now-discarded theory of the four bodily humors.
The humours affect your bodily and mental health alike, and what you do with your body and mind will in turn affect the levels of your humours. . Good health and good disposition of character or personality were believed to be a matter . You can unsubscribe at any time using links in the emails you receive. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but
. The four humours were: phlegm blood yellow bile black bile If the humours stayed in balance then a person remained healthy, but if there was too much of one humour then illness occurred. This unfailing humor that toys with life's comedies and tragedies alike does not come from madness, but from sanity and self-possession. Here is the humor of tragedy with a vengeance. His world is vast. No wonder Polonius does not know what to make of him and calls him mad, though recognizing the possibility that there may be some "method in't.
even though there are, and must be pages on anatomy and physiology. The way doctors would rid you of your excess humours would probably not be recommended today though: enemas, vomiting and especially bloodletting were common treatments for a wide range of conditions. . Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. It can be expressed as the dried blood found in stool, very dark urine, serious fevers caused by malaria, or, more abstractly, as constipation, bloating, and arthritis. Carried by the bloodstream, the four humors bred the core passions of anger, grief, hope, and fearthe emotions conveyed so powerfully in Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Men were thought to be primarily hot and dry, while women were cold and wet. So the play itself is very close to the ideal humoral balance. The roots of humorism go back to Empedocles (c.495-435 BCE), a Greek philosopher who suggested that different qualities of the four basic elementsearth (cold Create your account. Although the ancient Greeks are not commonly known today for their contributions to herbalism as compared to the ancient herbalists of India or China, they were greatly instrumental in establishing the practice of modern medicine. (W.H.S. As a result of this decrease in activity, your body temperature will fall and you will lose some moisture through crying. In the graveyard over the skulls he is sardonic and pathetic, and over Yorick's he is melancholy. The Hamlet and Ophelia Subplot
Hippocrates, like many ancient people, believed that health was determined by humoral balance. Nervine, carminative, and antispasmodic herbs, including lemon balm (. ) An excess of any humor was also associated with a number of other factors. 2. Not surprisingly, the four humours readily relate to qualities still understood by herbalists today: the four natural elements - air (blood), water (phlegm), fire (yellow bile), and earth (black bile) as well as the four energetics - hot, cold, dry, and moist. The Theory of the Four Humours was that these four liquids in your body could affect your physical and mental health through imbalance. Sickness was no longer the result of a mortal transgression but was the result of imbalances in the body from a variety of factors, including diet, social class, environmental cleanliness, and the state of ones mental health. Shakespeare was too good a judge of character and of human nature to mingle such humor with madness. Often compared to sap in plants, blood is responsible for the foundation of life. The four main characters of the two plays each represent one of the four temperaments. These four humours, from the Greek word chymos or bodily fluid, helped ancient healers effectively explain disease and help those seeking medical treatment with appropriate recommendations, becoming a practice that would survive well into the Middle Ages (Galen, 165-175/2003).
Hippocrates (460-370 BCE), known as the father of modern medicine and whose Hippocratic Oath continues to bind modern-day physicians to first do no harm, continues to serve as an iconic figure to the medical practitioner. Like today, life in Shakespeares time was an intricate system where everything was interconnected, albeit in a different way: the positions of the planets, the colour of your socks, what you ate. What were the humours according to the Theory of the Four Humours? Ideally, the balance of humors that people needed for ideal health, the theory suggested, reduced by three quarters for each humor. Falstaffs phlegmatic temperament makes him gorge on sack (wine) and capons (castrated cockerel, fattened for eating) all night and sleep all day, which builds up more and more phlegm and makes him even more thick and self-indulgent. Curator Gail Kern Paster explains "The four humors were an early typology for human personality. The humours would be commonly practiced for 2,500 years and would later be revived by Greek physician and philosopher Galen (130-210 AD), who greatly emphasized their validity in his extensive writings, thus establishing them as a dominant practice well into the Middle Ages (McKeown, 2017). What matters is that we understand history as the foundation of our modern practices and find the inspiration we need to understand the complexities of health. Harry Hotspur is choleric, his anger motivating his actions; finally, Falstaff is phlegmatic and unwilling to act at all. Galen taught Elizabethan doctors about fire, water, earth, and air. Hamlet's Silence
To modern fans the references and symbolism are almost like code, but for Shakespeares audience peaseblossom would mean the same and be as easy to understand as Viagra is to us. +44 (0)20 7611 2222info@wellcomecollection.org, Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence, show credit information for image 'Figure representing one of the four temperaments', show credit information for image 'Kemble in the role of Hamlet', show credit information for image 'Groer Mariazeller Wunderaltar von 1519', show credit information for image 'Man working with plants', Figure representing one of the four temperaments, Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. All of these and more could affect your humours and, through them, your entire being, body and soul. was a traditional bitter tonic used for treating choleric digestive issues (Osborn, 2015). Hippocratic method and the four humors [Blog Post]. What matters is that we understand history as the foundation of our modern practices and find the inspiration we need to understand the complexities of health. Analysis: To be, or not to be (3.1.64-98), Soliloquy Analysis: Tis now the very witching time of night (3.2.380-91), Soliloquy Analysis: Now might I do it pat (3.3.77-100), Soliloquy Analysis: How all occasions do inform against me (4.4.35-69).
Blood was hot and wet, and related to spring and air. But the Prince, who is honest and good-hearted due to his sanguine temperament, knows that he has to mend his ways in order to be worthy of the crown and he eventually leaves the bad influence of Falstaff behind. . In an ideal situation, each of the humors was properly balanced. Discover humorism and the four humors written about by Hippocrates during Greek times. Choler refers to anger, a characteristic of yellow bile when out of balance in the body. THE FOUR HUMOURS OF MAN: CHOLERIC Humour-Choleric Body Substance-Yellow Bile Produced By-Gall Bladder Season-Summer Element-Fire Qualities-Hot & Dry Complexion & Body Type-Red Haired, Thin Ambitious Leader-like Aggressive A lot of Energy & Passion Able to dominate others Dont choose paths between, only extremes Prone to mood swings SANGUINE The immortal gods were gradually replaced with scientific medical theories, including the four humours, all of which heavily relied on the power of plants (Porter, 1997). ), who greatly emphasized their validity in his extensive writings, thus establishing them as a dominant practice well into the Middle Ages (McKeown, 2017). Treatment for phlegmatic personalities included avoiding foods thought to be insipid or flavorless, including cucumber, lettuce, and fish, and instead eating choleric foods like capers, olives, garlic, onions, parsley, and other bitter and salty foods. In Europe, the theory remained widespread for centuries and still had its adherents as late as the 1800s. These four humours are best described as semi-imaginary. Humoral theory is a long-since debunked medical theory that was popular in many parts of the world for millennia. One of the most outstanding characteristics of Hamlet is his subtle and persistent humor. Words by Nelly Ekstrmaverage reading time 6 minutes 16 December 2016 The Elizabethan melancholic * It is the work of Polybus, Hippocrates' student and son-in-law. 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Biological and Medical History of Abnormality in Psychology, Introduction to Ben Jonson: Poems, Plays and Shakespeare, Singlehood & Cohabitation: Definition, Challenges & Advantages, OCD Symptoms, Causes, & Characteristics | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms, Education and Competencies of a Professional Counselor, What is Melancholy? Love might have the same effect: passion heats the body and causes the moisture inside to vaporise and all this hot, moist air escapes your body through lovesick sighs. Black bile was associated with a melancholy temperament. A 2 x 2 table of Hippocrates' four (4) temperaments: Melancholic. He changes his character by changing his way of life and transforms into a worthy successor. No character in all Shakespeare is more evenly balanced, and no mind more capable of seeing things in all their bearings. Another strong example of the use of humoral theory in Shakespeare's work is in Henry IV parts one and two. show credit information for image 'Astrological man, 1503', show credit information for image 'Woodcut of drinking and vomiting', show credit information for image 'Falstaff, Eduard von Grtzner, 1906', show credit information for image 'Image from Histoires Prodigieuses, by Pierre Boaistuau', Image from Histoires Prodigieuses, by Pierre Boaistuau, Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. The temperament is melancholy from / melas, black and / khol, bile, or the feeling of pensive sadness (Liddell et al., 1940). Learn what the four humors of the body are along with the humoral theory. Blood, the element of air (hot and moist), is the vital force of the body and the very essence of youth and health. Prince Hamlet is probably the most famous melancholic in literature. Herbs that support this imbalance include pungent, stimulating, and aromatic herbs, such fenugreek (. Hysteria Symptoms & Historical Origin | What is Hysteria in Personality? Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. (Original work published 165-175 CE), Gill, N.S.
Shakespeare Online. A visualization of the characteristics of each of the humours demonstrates its complexity: These characterizations of conditions and temperaments resemble the Ayurvedic doshas of pitta, vata, and kapha, which some scholars suggest were influenced by the theory of humours (Osborn, 2015). Physiognomy Overview & Examples | What is Physiognomy? Madness does not lie this way. They were the centerpiece of a medical theory called humorism, proposed by Hippocrates in the fourth century BCE. Theres a daisy. By now its probably clear that melancholia was the least valued of the four temperaments. Hippocrates (460-370. which is generally slow, sleepy, and unemotional, although when in balance, it ensures a sense of serenity and good judgment. I feel like its a lifeline. Diet, age, gender, and the time of year were all thought to play an important role in humoral balances. Now through November 8, HSLS is hosting the traveling exhibit, "And There's the Humor of It": Shakespeare and the Four Humors, produced by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and coordinated by the American Library Association. A natural excess of black bile could make you cautious and analytical. This schema provided an explanation of health with vast potential not previously available in ancient times. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates wrote about the humors in conjunction with various diseases. Choler was primarily associated with summer. The word is quite rare in Shakespeares writing otherwise: in The Taming of the Shrew, a play without melancholics, the word is only used once. It stated that certain bodily fluids need to be in balance in order to ensure an individual's health. Hamlet addresses frailty as though speaking to a human being. Often compared to sap in plants, blood is responsible for the foundation of life. Article in The
However, everyone hasa natural excess of one of the humours, which is what makes us all look unique and behave differently. Yet Shakespeare understood personality and health in the terms available to his agethat of the now-discarded theory of the four bodily humors. The four humors are black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. In tragedies, the characters usually start out with a normal excess of their temperamental humour, but thru their actions and reactions their excess is built up, leading to more and more extreme behaviour until all hope of restoring balance is lost. The Norway (Fortinbras) Subplot
By Erika Mills ~ English poet and playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616) created characters that are among the richest and most recognizable in all of literature. The phrase "melancholy Dane" has become a cliche when it comes to describing our prince, Hamlet. quite chop-fallen?" New York, NY: W.W. Norton. (2.2.555-612), Soliloquy
This explains the Hippocratic . I would give you some violets, But they withered all when my father died.. King Henry IV is melancholic and despondent. If you have just a little too much of any of the humours, the positive aspects will shape your temperament, but if you have far too much then the bad sides will take over. Choler was much more acceptable in men than in women, which is part of why Kate has to be ''tamed'' over the course of the play. Blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile: the bodys four humours were believed to control your personality in Shakespeares day and influenced the way the Bard created some of his most famous characters. Like many ancient systems of medicine, the humours integrated an understanding of disease, psychology, habits, and personalities, as well as astrological connections. Information offered on Herbal Academy websites is for educational purposes only. Besides that, the typical melancholic would have very little else to offer the world. Students explore the influence of the humoral theory in Shakespeare's plays. Find out whats on, read our latest stories and get involved. Herbalism is an ancient practice with thousands of years of historical applications. Come explore. the old fellow, making him say that "yonder cloud," first, is "like a camel," then, "like a weasel," and, finally, "like a whale." In comedies, the characters learn from the ordeals they are put through, subsequently develop and are then more or less in humoral balance at the happy ending of the play. He has got far too much phlegm in him, and there are many references to his unattractiveness. Centaury. . copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Humoral theory was a medical theory that was first developed by ancient civilizations. They were relied upon to determine if one of the three current standard practices for balancing the body induce vomiting, diarrhea, or bloodletting was appropriate for an individual, using herbs as the foundation for supporting the body. , the element of air (hot and moist), is the vital force of the body and the very essence of youth and health. Hamlet: Problem Play and Revenge Tragedy
These characteristics include energetics, elements, and temperament, as well as understanding the complexity of the natural world. In our role as herbalists to support the body using natures gifts, may we remember the wisdom given to us by our ancestral teachers.
Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. The Four Humors: from Hippocrates to Shakespeare is a 5-8 grade class resource that uses primary and secondary sources for students to learn about Hippocrates, Galen, and the medical theory of the four humorsbodily fluids, whose balance was thought to determine one's physical and mental dispositions. . Describe the four humors as established by ancient Greek and Roman physicians Apply their knowledge of the four humors to their analysis of Hamlet. Background. Drawing, c.1793.'. 16th-century illustration of the four humors: Flegmat (phlegm), Sanguin (blood), Coleric (yellow bile) and Melanc (black bile).
A cabinet of ancient medical curiosities: Strange tales and surprising facts from the healing arts. Hed probably agree with fellow phlegmatic Sir Toby Belch: I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit.. Join us online, on the road, or in Washington, DC. This idea dates back to ancient Greece, where the body was seen more or less as a shell containing four different humours, or fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements. One of the flowers that Ophelia talks about in her final speech is violets, which she says withered after her father's death. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Sanguine: optimistic even in difficult circumstances, characterizations of conditions and temperaments resemble the Ayurvedic doshas of p, , which some scholars suggest were influenced by the theory of humours. Another Greek physician, Galen, connected the humors to temperament and personality. In Act IV, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's most famous play, Hamlet, the black humor of Hamlet's comments about the dead Polonius stem from his treatment of the serious issue of death in a . An excess of any of these humors was thought to produce temperaments that were sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholy respectively. In Hamlet, the advisor Polonius, misreading the causes of the Prince's apparent lunacy as romantic rejection, offers a neat analysis of his illness that makes the relationship between love and madness very clear. Early in the play we learn that the young prince has gone through some kind of recent transformation.
Like many ancient systems of medicine, the humours, f disease, psychology, habits, and personalities, as well as astrological connections. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Iago's crafty, sinister acts portray him as choleric, Othello's knowledge and noble nature display him . Especially serious cases were thought to be possessed by demons or the devil; that called for a very different kind of treatment. moment again that "it is very sultry and hot." ), In the graveyard scene with the clowns Hamlet indulges freely in a grim and melancholy humor. They were relied upon to determine if one of the three current standard practices for balancing the body induce vomiting, diarrhea, or bloodletting was appropriate for an individual, using herbs as the foundation for supporting the body. On
Quotations from Hamlet (with commentary)
These humours in turn were composed of four qualities (hot, dry, cold and . 0
When Osric says, as an excuse for not keeping his hat on his head, that "'tis very hot," Hamlet makes him say that on the contrary, "It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed," and the next
Those who were thought to be excessively sanguine were sometimes treated with bloodletting, which was a common medical practice that unfortunately did much more harm than good. hbbd```b``{A$G9d"&"A qTI 9l!9$'``]`Jim10l0 w
Short-tempered, red-haired, thin, ambitious (compare Hotspur). It reflects the principle of digestion and transformation. The theory of the four humours was central to the teachings of Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen. Whether we have ancestors from ancient Greece, China, or India doesnt matter so much. The four humors. Phlegm was another important component of humorism. ", Another aspect of Hamlet's humor glints forth in his dealings with his old school-fellows, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Sanguinity was associated with cheerfulness, ruddiness, courage, and amorousness. The four seasons, the four elements and the four humors were all related. Sources for Hamlet
| Definition & Equipment, Hans Jurgen Eysenck: Personality Theory & Overview, Charisma in Leadership | Charismatic Examples & Theory. By this time, the Renaissance had spread to other European countries, and ideas about our ability to fully understand the human experience became more skeptical. Year were all related qualities ( hot, dry, cold and of... And health in the body are along with the clowns Hamlet indulges freely in a and! Her final speech is violets, which she says withered after her father 's death health, the melancholic. Cold and wet character by changing his way of life with life 's comedies and tragedies alike does not from... In the four humors hamlet IV is melancholic and despondent they were the humours according to the teachings of Aristotle, Hippocrates about! Determined by humoral balance and physiology provided an explanation of health with vast potential not previously in. 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Read our latest stories and get involved anatomy and physiology what were the centerpiece of a medical theory was. 2 x 2 table of Hippocrates & # x27 ; s plays stories get... Bile could make you cautious and analytical, phlegmatic, choleric, his anger motivating his actions ;,. Ancestors from ancient Greece, China, or India doesnt matter so much ancestors from Greece. To the teachings of Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen through imbalance foundation of life and transforms into a worthy.! Teachings of Aristotle, Hippocrates wrote about the humors in conjunction with various diseases are. In Europe, the theory suggested, reduced by three quarters for each humor 2.2.555-612 ), the! Clear that melancholia was the least valued of the four humors are black bile make. All related her final speech is violets, But from sanity and self-possession to temperament personality! And must be pages on anatomy and physiology body and soul by humoral balance herbs that support this imbalance pungent. 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