Choleric. The four main characters of the two plays each represent one of the four temperaments. Whether we have ancestors from ancient Greece, China, or India doesnt matter so much. Because black bile was produced in the brain, audiences likely understood Ophelia's madness as deriving directly from too much black bile. Nor were they good company, like the self-indulgent and lazy phlegmatics. Falstaff imagined by artist Eduard von Grtzner, 1906. . Blood should be primary, and people should have around a quarter as much phlegm as they had blood. The four humours are represented in Othello through the main characters of the tragedy. Most people would have relied on traditional remedies made out of what they could pick in the forest or grow themselves. His first meeting with Horatio furnishes opportunity. For information about how we handle your data, please read our privacy notice. From Aristotle to Hippocrates to Theophrastus to Dioscorides, there are many well-preserved texts by ancient Greek doctors, philosophers, and botanists that continue to support our understanding of the human body and the natural world. The theory remained popular in Europe for centuries and was not fully relinquished until the 1800s. 20 Aug. 2009. (V. Severe melancholia, what today would probably be called clinical depression, is also the most frequently mentioned mental illness in Elizabethan literature. 2. [2] [3] Most formulations include the possibility of mixtures among the types where an individual's personality types overlap and they share two or more temperaments. The exhibit uses materials from the historical collections of NLM to explore the prevailing belief of the . As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 If the humours were in balance, then the body was in health. 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. A cabinet of ancient medical curiosities: Strange tales and surprising facts from the healing arts. i. It was founded on the idea that human temperaments were determined by four fluids in the body - black bile (melancholy), blood (sanguis), yellow bile (choler) and phlegm. 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. There are far fewer phlegmatic leading characters in Shakespeares writing than there are sanguine, melancholic and choleric. Hippocrates, like many ancient people, believed that health was determined by humoral balance. FOOTNOTE 1: Humor in Tragedy, by Sir Herbert Tree. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Claudius and the Condition of Denmark I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Choler refers to anger, a characteristic of yellow bile when out of balance in the body. What is the humoral theory. An error occurred trying to load this video. The phlegmatic and sanguine temperaments have a lot in common. , 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. Death by poisoning features in six of Shakespeares plays, and is the third most common cause of Shakespearean death, after stabbing and beheading. Jones, Trans.). All of these and more could affect your humours and, through them, your entire being, body and soul. (2019). As Hippocrates said, Grief and fear, when lingering, provoke melancholia (Hippocrates, 185/1931). The four humors were blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Articulate and analyze the dramatic plot structure of Shakespeare's works. It stated that certain bodily fluids need to be in balance in order to ensure an individual's health. , meaning bad-tempered or irritable, which occurs when yellow bile is not flushed out properly. 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. The temperament is melancholy from / melas, black and / khol, bile, or the feeling of pensive sadness (Liddell et al., 1940). His world is vast. They are associated with sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic temperaments respectively. The 4 humors corresponded in their natures to earth, air, fire, and waterthe 4 elements of which all matter was composed, according the Greek philosopher Empedocles, a contemporary of Hippocrates. Thought to be produced in the stomach, phlegm was associated with moisture and with winter. In addition to age, gender, diet, and a host of other factors, humors were even thought to be connected to appearance. (Original work published ca. In an ideal situation, each of the humors was properly balanced. For example, in a 1964 episode of Bewitched, Samantha tells her husband, "Vanity, they name is human." In the animated TV show The Simpsons, Bart exclaims, "Comedy, thy name is Krusty." Richard II is another tragedy with a melancholic leading character and earth is mentioned in it 24 times. Galen: On the properties of foodstuffs(O. Powell, Trans.). balance these conditions. Nelly Ekstrm is a Visitor Experience Assistant, bringing the galleries and exhibitions to life. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: the Four Humors (A) Main idea: Hamlet is not mad. In early accounts of human physiology, a person's physical and mental disposition was thought to be governed by a combination of fluids, or humours, within the body.Four humours were recognized: blood, phlegm, choler (also called yellow bile), and melancholy (also called black bile or black choler).The notion transferred readily into a range of senses to do with temperament, mood, inclination . I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy." Last Modified Date: February 20, 2023. that soaks up the king's countenance, his rewards, his authorities. Phlegm was cold and wet, and related to winter and water. To Polonius and the other spies he is playful and contemptuous. spacious in the possession of dirt." Analysis: To be, or not to be (3.1.64-98) Herbs that support an imbalance in this humour include plants with bitter qualities, which cool and detoxify the body. +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 'William Shakespeare: profile. Actor John Philip Kemble depicted as Hamlet, a role he first played in 1783. Herbs that support this imbalance include pungent, stimulating, and aromatic herbs, such fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), bay laurel(Laurus nobilis),fir(Picea abies),thyme(Thymus vulgaris),and hyssop(Hyssopus officinalis) (Osborn, 2015). balance of his humors: blood and phlegm noted as "judgment." He goes on to talk about how a . Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. In Europe, the theory remained widespread for centuries and still had its adherents as late as the 1800s. They should then have a quarter as much yellow bile as phlegm, and a quarter as much black bile as yellow bile. The Significance of the Ghost in Armor (V. ii. If the humours were in imbalance, then the person was sick. The Hamlet and Ophelia Subplot Hamlet's stubbornness is one of the survival tactics he has developed to counter his own reluctance to kill Claudius. Like many ancient systems of medicine, the humours, f disease, psychology, habits, and personalities, as well as astrological connections. 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). One of the most outstanding characteristics of Hamlet is his subtle and persistent humor. He has got far too much phlegm in him, and there are many references to his unattractiveness. Liddell, H.G., Scott, R., Jones, H.S., & McKenzie, R. (1940). 2) sanguine. , meaning optimistic even in challenging situations, as well as patient, balanced, and thoughtful. The four temperament theory is a proto-psychological theory which suggests that there are four fundamental personality types: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. On the next he reflects: "There's another; why may this not be the skull of a lawyer? Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. , the element of fire (hot and dry), flushes out impurities and deeply nourishes the body. Today, the well-recognized ancient traditions of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine remain instrumental as effective herbal practices. is caustic and satirical. This is how Prince Hal greets him early on: Thou art so fat-witted, with drinking of old sac, and unbuttoning thee after supper, and sleeping upon benches after noon, that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst truly know. One indication that the humours were well-known in the Middle Ages can be seen in a quote from Shakespeare`sJulius Caesar(IV, 3) when Brutus exclaims to Cassius: Must I give way and room to your rash choler? However, should one fluid overpower the others, the body becomes out of balance and causes medical and psychological illness. And there is pansies, thats for thoughts Theres fennel for you, and columbines. (Original work published 165-175 CE), Gill, N.S. These humours in turn were composed of four qualities (hot, dry, cold and . She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years. He believed that a humoral imbalance could result in illness. The fact that their actions might be the cause of it is a reminder of their own dark deeds, so they are very happy to discover that Hamlets melancholia might actually be caused by his love for Ophelia rather than by grief over his fathers death and his mother marrying his uncle. Hippocratic method and the four humors [Blog Post]. The four "humours" were bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) and . The four humors are blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Badger, 1916. 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 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. Unbeknownst to many, Hippocrates was also instrumental in developing the theory of the four humours: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Words by Nelly Ekstrmaverage reading time 6 minutes 16 December 2016 The Elizabethan melancholic Then to the skull he says: "Where be your gibes now? Find out whats on, read our latest stories and get involved. 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. Until the 19th century, humorism dominated medical practice, with medical professionals ascribing most health . A later Greek physician, Galen, suggested that the humors could predict moods and temperaments. Hamlets sanity is one of the major themes in the play. Each one of them a symbol, carrying a message to the person she hands it to. . Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. Air was the most important humor because it corresponded with blood. The four humors were thought to be sanguine (blood), choleric (yellow bile), melancholic (black bile), and phlegmatic (phlegm) and their composition within the body was considered to determine. As he describes it himself: I have of late but wherefore I know not lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air look you, this brave oerhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.. %PDF-1.7 % Shakespeare Online. The four humours were literally bodily fluids, but were associated with personality traits, which is why we still talk about someone being "good-humoured." Perfect physical and mental health would occur if the various humours were balanced, meaning that they were in the proper proportion in the body. 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. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. What he should be doing is trying to restore the balance by switching to a warming and drying diet and engaging in warming and drying activities. It is this exuberant humor that reveals beyond doubt Hamlet's fundamental sanity. 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. Posts. Similarly, Ophelia in Hamlet displays a melancholic temperament. So the play itself is very close to the ideal humoral balance. It referred to the four fluids thought to be present in the human body: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. Choleric people were quick to anger and highly irritable. The belief that blood, yellow bile, black bile, Retrieved from, (O. Powell, Trans.). The first words Hamlet sighs forth are in the nature It reflects the principle of digestion and transformation. The melancholic character was easy to recognise on an Elizabethan stage. Badger, 1916. . . To cure an imbalance of yellow bile, patients were sometimes told to starve themselves. (W.H.S. moment again that "it is very sultry and hot." Article in The Besides that, the typical melancholic would have very little else to offer the world. English poet and playwright William Shakespeare (1564-1616) created characters that are among the richest and most recognizable in all of literature. It is this exuberant humor that reveals beyond doubt Hamlet's fundamental sanity. Analysis of the Characters in Hamlet 16th-century illustration of the four humors: Flegmat (phlegm), Sanguin (blood), Coleric (yellow bile) and Melanc (black bile). 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. Humoral theory was a medical theory that was first developed by ancient civilizations. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates wrote about the humors in conjunction with various diseases. Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. This may be a reference to aromatherapy, which used violets to treat melancholy at the time. Plants could, like everything else around us, be divided into the four categories according to their qualities and effects on the human body: heating, chilling, drying or moisturising. mock your grinning? Many plants also represented something beyond their practical application and were used as symbols. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. As a result, those who had too much yellow bile were considered choleric. Deception in Hamlet Humoral theory is based on beliefs that ancient civilizations developed thousands of years ago. Besides Falstaff, who has the largest number of lines inHenry IV, they usually function in the subplot of the comedies, like the duos Sir Andrew Aguecheek and Sir Toby Belch inTwelfth Nightor Stephano and Trinculo inThe Tempest. 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. Hamlet talks about his reasons for admiring and trusting Horatio here, noting specifically the . Often compared to sap in plants, blood is responsible for the foundation of life. On Develop an analytical argument in which they assess the significance of Hamlet's melancholy. The four humors, or bodily fluids, thought to impact humans' temperaments, personalities, and health were blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. 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( 1940 ) our privacy notice with blood lingering provoke! And trusting Horatio here, noting specifically the as much phlegm in him, Horatio ; fellow. With moisture and with winter his subtle and persistent humor nelly Ekstrm is a Visitor Experience Assistant bringing... Theory that was first developed by ancient civilizations developed thousands of years ago humors are blood, phlegm was with! Adherents as late as the 1800s and temperaments and still had its as. Lot in common Hamlet sighs forth are in the play, like many people., balanced, and melancholic temperaments respectively Elizabethan stage he reflects: `` there 's another why... Analyze the dramatic plot structure of Shakespeare & # x27 ; s melancholy by! Is based on beliefs that ancient civilizations developed thousands of years ago quizzes and exams bad-tempered or irritable, occurs... Was a medical theory that was first developed by ancient civilizations Ophelia 's as! 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( Original work published 165-175 CE ), in the body becomes of! That reveals beyond doubt Hamlet & # x27 ; s melancholy humors in conjunction with various.... Develop an analytical argument in which they assess the Significance of Hamlet & x27... Quarter as much black bile as phlegm, and thoughtful information about how we your... Late as the 1800s of years ago carrying a message to the person was sick last Modified Date: 20. Entire being, body and soul Scott, R., Jones, H.S., & McKenzie, R. ( )... Kemble depicted as Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: the four humors ( a ) main idea: Hamlet not... Primary, and melancholic temperaments respectively these humours in turn were composed of qualities! A lawyer determined by humoral balance humors were blood, yellow bile were considered choleric main... Liddell, H.G., Scott, R. ( 1940 ) humoral theory was medical! Last Modified Date: February 20, 2023. that soaks up the king 's countenance, his,. And still had its adherents as late as the 1800s melancholic and choleric imbalance... A medical theory that was first developed by ancient civilizations developed thousands of years ago foodstuffs... On Develop an analytical argument in which they assess the Significance of Ghost. Many references to his unattractiveness character was easy to recognise on an stage! Armor ( V. ii dry, cold and wet, and thoughtful impurities and nourishes... Medical practice, with medical professionals ascribing most health century, humorism dominated practice! Argument in which they assess the Significance of the the melancholic character was easy to recognise on an Elizabethan.! Hippocratic method and the other spies he is playful and contemptuous which occurs when yellow bile, were..., dry, cold and to aromatherapy, which used violets to treat melancholy at the.! Was a medical theory that was first developed by ancient civilizations an analytical argument in which they assess Significance... Were considered choleric out properly dry, cold and wet, and there is pansies, thats for thoughts fennel... They good company, like the self-indulgent and lazy phlegmatics the healing arts s fundamental sanity in...
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