Week 1 (without emphasized photos) Flashcards
Sources for ancient humour?
Literature, art, inscriptions, and graffiti
What forms of literature specifically serve as sources?
Greek and roman comedies, satirical texts, and references to persons and events from various texts
What is the origin of the word humour?
Human body has 4 humores
What are the 4 fundamental fluids? What did their balance guarantee?
Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile
Good disposition and health
What does sarkazein mean?
Sarkazein (tear flesh)
What does eironeia mean?
Dissimulation
What area of the body did Pliny believe to be connected to laughter?
Diaphragm
How old did aristotle think the baby was required to be to laugh or cry?
Forty days old
What did Pliny say the gelotyphillis are?
“Laughter leaves” - possibly crowfoot or cannabis
What are the springs claimed by Theophrastus?
Weeping (Claeon) and laughing (Gelon)
Who did aristotle believe were the only animal to laugh?
Humans
What does hubris mean?
Intentionally dishonouring behaviour
What were Lord Chesterfield’s thoughts on audible laughter?
It’s illiberal and illbred
What other animal did Porphyry believe laughs?
Heron
