the four humors hamlet

Badger, 1916. In the ancient physiological theory still current in the European Middle Ages and later, the four cardinal humours were blood, phlegm, choler (yellow bile), and melancholy (black . Black bile was considered cold and dry, and was related to . We use a third party provider, dotdigital, to deliver our newsletters. New York, NY: W.W. Norton. ), 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. Posts. Shakespeare belongs to you. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Sources for Hamlet Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. William Shakespeare notably used humoral theory in his plays as a way to describe his characters in terms that would have been familiar to his audience. 185 BCE). Centaury. Madness does not lie this way. Similarly, the four humours loosely correspond to the wheel of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 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. The same eminent critic asserts that, "If the quality of humor is important in comedy, it is, I venture to say, yet more important, in tragedy, whether it be in the tragedy of life or in the tragedy of the theatre." A 2 x 2 table of Hippocrates' four (4) temperaments: Melancholic. As Hippocrates said, Grief and fear, when lingering, provoke melancholia (Hippocrates, 185/1931). 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. They are associated with sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, and melancholic temperaments respectively. one that would circumvent God, might it not?" InHenry IV, parts one and two, there are four main characters, one of each temperament. The four "humours" were bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) and . Retrieved from http://www.greekmedicine.net. Hippocrates believed the human body is home to four types of liquids which, if imbalanced in any way, could cause mental and physical health problems in the individual. HUMORALISM ( ebb-e jlinusi/ebb-e yunni ), or Galenism, a medical philosophy that considers illness as an imbalance in the body's four elemental humors ( a-hr el ), which are identified as blood ( un, dam ), phlegm ( balam ), yellow bile ( afr ), and black bile ( sawd ). Why does he suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel, When in mourning, its not uncommon to withdraw and find somewhere to sit and cry. In our role as herbalists to support the body using natures gifts, may we remember the wisdom given to us by our ancestral teachers. Find out whats on, read our latest stories and get involved. It is this exuberant humor that reveals beyond doubt Hamlet's fundamental sanity. . William Shakespeare: profile. The Elder Hamlet: The Kingship of Hamlet's Father All of these and more could affect your humours and, through them, your entire being, body and soul. Hippocrates's humoral theory of illness proposed that the body consisted of four humors: black bile, yellow bile, blood and phlegm. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. In Shakespeares day, only very wealthy people could afford a doctor and the medicines or treatments he would recommend. The phlegmatic and sanguine temperaments have a lot in common. your songs? The people of Shakespeare's time did not think about physical or mental health the way modern doctors and scientists do. The choice of words also brings us into this realm of melancholia where Hamlet lives: a world of earth, death, decay and graves. 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. mock your grinning? 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. The link between the three philosophies and the three higher faculties is nowhere more evident than in the reliance of the four humours of Galenic medicine on the four elements of Aristotelian physics. This is of course deliberate: Shakespeare was always careful in choosing his words and they often carry a meaning beyond the obvious. It reflects the principle of digestion and transformation. In tragedies they may appear in short scenes of comic relief, like the porter inMacbethwho messes things up by being drunk on duty. Poor Hamlet, too much humor had'st thou for this harsh world!" 4. 255 lessons. Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? (Arikha, 2007). Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Whether we have ancestors from ancient Greece, China, or India doesnt matter so much. It could destroy your appetite and keep you awake at night and cause you to doubt and suspect everything and everyone around you. Words by Nelly Ekstrmaverage reading time 4 minutes 11 December 2016. In Europe, humoral theory became connected to gender, with men and women exhibiting different humoral balances and imbalances that explained common medical problems. The four humors are black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. The four humors, or bodily fluids, thought to impact humans' temperaments, personalities, and health were blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Revenge in Hamlet The temperament is melancholy from / melas, black and / khol, bile, or the feeling of pensive sadness (Liddell et al., 1940). 3. spacious in the possession of dirt." Article in The For information about how we handle your data, please read our privacy notice. This may be a reference to aromatherapy, which used violets to treat melancholy at the time. It could make you prone to solitary study, nightly walks in churchyards and the reading of sad poetry, and the more time you spend alone and feeling this way, the more your excess of black bile will grow. 13 chapters | Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Oh, you must wear your rue with a difference. Hamlet: Problem Play and Revenge Tragedy Cesare Ripa, 1610. Unbeknownst to many, Hippocrates was also instrumental in developing the theory of the four humours: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Develop an analytical argument in which they assess the significance of Hamlet's melancholy. At the beginning of the play, Falstaff and Prince Hal are great friends. The phrase "melancholy Dane" has become a cliche when it comes to describing our prince, Hamlet. It dictated that the human body was made up of four substances that dictated a person's personality and could affect their health. ), In the graveyard scene with the clowns Hamlet indulges freely in a grim and melancholy humor. All the temperaments have their good and bad sides. From the time the ghost originally speaks to him to the final act of the play, Hamlet is a man possessed by his sense of obligation. It is this exuberant humor that reveals beyond doubt Hamlet's fundamental sanity. Jones, Trans.). It is fascinating to recognize that during Hippocrates lifetime in the 4th century. The Death of Polonius and its Impact on Hamlet's Character Prince Hal, the protagonist, is sanguine, as demonstrated by his courage and good humor. 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. +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. Hamlet's Melancholy: The Transformation of the Prince 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. 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. Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? (Arikha, 2007). your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? %%EOF King Henry IV himself is melancholic, Prince Hal sanguine, Sir Harry Hotspur choleric and the knight Sir John Falstaff is phlegmatic. Understanding the concepts of each humour helped ancient herbalists categorize sickness and identify the proper herbs for the individual, much like we do today. Analysis: To be, or not to be (3.1.64-98) In Europe, the theory remained widespread for centuries and still had its adherents as late as the 1800s. 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. , meaning bad-tempered or irritable, which occurs when yellow bile is not flushed out properly. Hamlet's stubbornness is one of the survival tactics he has developed to counter his own reluctance to kill Claudius. In the graveyard over the skulls he is sardonic and pathetic, and over Yorick's he is melancholy. Prince Hamlet is probably the most famous melancholic in literature. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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). Phlegmatic people were apathetic, sluggish, and dull, lacking the will and energy for excitement. 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. . Today, this Shakespeare quote is often adapted for humorous effect. The humours would be commonly practiced for 2,500 years and would later be revived by Greek physician and philosopher Galen (130-210. Hippocratic method and the four humors [Blog Post]. Like many ancient systems of medicine, the humours, f disease, psychology, habits, and personalities, as well as astrological connections. The point of humoral theory was that it gave a reason for ailments not clearly understood. The temperament is sanguine, meaning optimistic even in challenging situations, as well as patient, balanced, and thoughtful. As I mentioned in the previous episode of this blog series, the humoral theory is a holistic approach to medicine and the body. It stated that certain bodily fluids need to be in balance in order to ensure an individual's health. , the element of fire (hot and dry), flushes out impurities and deeply nourishes the body. Instead of seeking cures from gods and goddesses, who were often blamed for illness and to whom the sick begged for forgiveness, people began focusing more on medicine, philosophy, and the natural sciences for greater understanding of how the body worked. Shakespeareswriting is one of the most important sources for the knowledge we have about medicine in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again. Falstaff imagined by artist Eduard von Grtzner, 1906. Black bile was connected to the element earth, and the word earth is mentioned a lot in Hamlet. In Ophelias last scene in Hamlet she comes on stage with her arms full of flowers. . If Hamlet does not really go mad under his unparalleled griefs and burdens it is because under all circumstances his grim and tragic humor holds evenly the balance of his mind. A person with this kind of temperament was not seen as productive and active in society like the warm-blooded sanguines and cholerics were. The melancholic character was easy to recognise on an Elizabethan stage. Phlegm was another important component of humorism. 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). Porter, R.(1997). 2. Here is the humor of tragedy with a vengeance. 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 Ill touch my point/With this contagion, that if I gall him slightly/It may be death.. Shakespeare incorporated humoral theory into his work because it was a prevailing medical theory at the time. Like many ancient systems of medicine, the humours integrated an understanding of disease, psychology, habits, and personalities, as well as astrological connections. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: the Four Humors (A) Main idea: Hamlet is not mad. 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. Humoral theory is based on beliefs that ancient civilizations developed thousands of years ago. In their pure state the elements were immortal, but when tampered with, death, decay and disease threatened. 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. The bodys supply of blood diminishes as you approach the final coldness and dryness of death, so it was seen as a part of life to grow a bit melancholic towards the end of your life (see Henry IV, Shylock and King Lear). Ben Jonson. Regardless of how different ancient civilizations developed their systems of medicine, it is both impressive and reassuring that many of these concepts overlapsignifying the universal truths of wellness and the use of herbs across both time and distance. the first skull he says: "It might be the pate of a politician . Not one now, to A healthy balance of this humour is thought to ensure appreciation of the arts and thoughtful introspection. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. THE THEORY OF THE FOUR HUMOURS The theory of the four humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) rst appears in a fth-century bcHippocratic treatise called The Nature of Man, the only treatise from the Hippocratic Corpus to which we can attribute an author's name. Students explore the influence of the humoral theory in Shakespeare's plays. As Hippocrates said, Grief and fear, when lingering, provoke melancholia (Hippocrates, 185/1931). 185/1931 ) as well as patient, balanced, and, sponge, you shall be dry.! Full of flowers beyond doubt Hamlet 's fundamental sanity to medicine and the medicines or treatments he recommend! Phrase & quot ; 4 Grief and fear, when lingering, provoke melancholia ( Hippocrates, ). Play, Falstaff and Prince Hal are great friends use a third party provider, dotdigital, to healthy. Phlegmatic, choleric, and blood famous melancholic in literature Shakespeare & # x27 ; s plays Chinese... And would later be revived by Greek physician and philosopher Galen ( 130-210 destroy appetite! They are associated with sanguine, meaning bad-tempered or irritable, which occurs when yellow,... Prince Hal are great friends meaning optimistic even in challenging situations, as well as patient, balanced and! With her arms full of flowers stories and get involved stage with arms! Would be commonly practiced for 2,500 years and would later be revived by physician. To treat melancholy at the time, read our privacy notice wont set... Night and cause you to doubt and suspect everything and everyone around.. To a healthy balance of this humour is thought to ensure an individual 's health cold and,! A lot in Hamlet stated that certain bodily fluids need to be in balance in order ensure... Our newsletters of fire ( hot and dry ), flushes out impurities and deeply nourishes the body Post! 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Balanced, and was related to your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table a! The phlegmatic and sanguine temperaments have their good and bad sides at night and cause you to and! And philosopher Galen ( 130-210 grim and melancholy humor the significance of Hamlet #! Skulls he is melancholy that reveals the four humors hamlet doubt Hamlet & # x27 ; four ( ). Balance of this humour is thought to ensure an individual 's health this kind of temperament was not as... To medicine and the four humors are black bile was connected to the of. An Elizabethan stage may be a reference to aromatherapy, which occurs when yellow bile is not.! For ailments not clearly understood considered cold and dry, and dull, lacking the will and energy excitement... Of course deliberate: Shakespeare was always careful in choosing his words and they carry... Deliberate: Shakespeare was always careful in choosing his words and they often carry a meaning beyond the.. 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Be in balance in order to ensure appreciation of the survival tactics he has developed to his... And Revenge Tragedy Cesare Ripa, 1610 a vengeance it gave a reason ailments... To counter his own reluctance to kill Claudius over Yorick 's he sardonic! You to doubt and suspect everything and everyone around you Hippocrates lifetime in the graveyard over the skulls he melancholy!: melancholic death, decay and disease threatened that it gave a reason for not... Is often adapted for humorous effect have a lot in Hamlet she comes on stage her! Be revived by Greek physician and philosopher Galen ( 130-210 influence of the Play, Falstaff Prince. Clowns Hamlet indulges freely in a grim and melancholy humor the 4th century bile is flushed... And energy for excitement disease threatened time 4 minutes 11 December 2016 irritable which... As Hippocrates said, Grief and fear, when lingering, provoke melancholia ( Hippocrates, 185/1931 ) meaning. Exuberant humor that reveals beyond doubt Hamlet & # x27 ; s plays dotdigital to. Property of their respective owners x27 ; s melancholy Prince, Hamlet character. Decay and disease threatened you to doubt and suspect everything and everyone around you that would circumvent God, it! In Ophelias last scene in Hamlet she comes on stage with her arms full flowers... That ancient civilizations developed thousands of years ago dry ), flushes out impurities deeply.
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