The humor of it: bodies, fluids, and the history of medicine in Shakespeare

The humor of it: bodies, fluids, and the history of medicine in Shakespeare

Collection:
NLM Publications and Productions
Alternate Title(s):
Bodies, fluids, and the history of medicine in Shakespeare
Contributor(s):
Paster, Gail Kern.
National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
Publication:
[Bethesda, Md.] : National Library of Medicine, 2009
Language(s):
English
Format:
Moving image
Subject(s):
Medicine in Literature
Body Fluids
Drama
History of Medicine
History, 16th Century
Human Body
Personality
Genre(s):
Lecture
Abstract:
Michael North introduces Dr. Paster and the discussion. Dr. Paster cites her interest in the cultural history of the body. In today's lecture she focuses on the the four humors as they are used in the plays by Shakespeare. She begins by explaining the humors--blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile--as developed by Galen. These humors are sent to the body in the form of hot, cold, moist and dry. The humors provide hints of the human personality. In Shakespeare, the body is defined as fragile and porous, filled with fluids. She uses Corporal Nim who is found in "Henry V" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor" as an example of use of humors. Another example is found in Act IV, Scene I, in the "Merchant of Venice."
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
076 min.
Color:
Color
Sound:
Sound
Provenance:
Received: Jan. 16, 2009; transfer; from Stephen Greenberg.
Technique:
Live action
NLM Unique ID:
101496178 (See catalog record)
OCLC no.:
319068828
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101496178