The Humors

Question 1

What other mediaeval belief other than the chain of being did the elizabethans adopt?

Answer 1

• the human body contained 4 humours, or fluid produced from taking in certain foods.

Question 2

What would happen to a person if there was an excess of any humour?

Answer 2

It would cause an imbalance in that person.

Question 3

List the for humours;

Answer 3

1] black bile
2] phlegm
3] yellow bile
4] blood

Question 4

Explain the 4 humours and what element they are related to:
1] black bile
2] phlegm
3] yellow bile
4] blood

Answer 4

1] black bile; resulted in melancholy and sadness and related to the element of earth.
2] phlegm; made one phlegmatic (unexcitable), sluggish and lethargic and was related to the element of water
3] yellow bile; made one choleric and quick tempered and was related to the element of fire.
4] blood; caused one to be sanguine and courageous and was related to the element of air.

Question 5

Why were the humour significant factors for playwrights in Shakespeare’s time?

Answer 5

Because they contributed to a characters health, personality and morality.

Question 6

True or false? All people have the same amount of every humour.

Answer 6

False - everyone had elements of each humour, but one will usually dominate and result in them behaving in a particular way.