lizabethan
ngland
•
Human
Mind
The human mind was very important to elizabethans
and how it influenced our actions.
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Elizabethan era was also known as the English
Renaissance, a rebirth or reawakening of an interest in
the arts. The Elizabethans wanted to find new ways to
express themselves relying on their own artistic
abilities to create patterns (like iambic pentameter,
rhyme schemes, etc.) rather than copying patterns
present in nature.
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With architecture, patterns on clothing, stained glass
windows, even poetic verse, the Elizabethans were
becoming more interested in what man could achieve
and create.
One of the most popular eras in the
history of England is known as the
Elizabethan Era. This time in history was
named Queen of England (Queen
Elizabeth I). This era produced and
brought forth the very first theater in
England. Along with the theater, William
Shakespeare accompanied this
discovery. One of Shakespeare’s most
popular tragedies was known as, Hamlet
Prince of Denmark. One main reason
this play was so loved is due to
Shakespeare’s use of Hamlet. He
portrayed and used this character to
amplify the human mind at its most
complex points.
There are several different and unique
approaches Shakespeare embarks on in generating
this mind of Hamlet. For instance, Hamlets internal
conflict (Character vs. himself) is where the human
mind is influenced. Hamlets decision on whether or
not to revenge on his father’s death plays a crucial
role. This example, allows the reader to be aware of
how one person’s state of mind at a certain point in
their life can play a significant factor on determining
their life’s outcome and fate. Throughout the play,
Hamlets perspectives act as a key role in the way his
mind works. Shakespeare devised a series of
encounters to unlock the unique and complex human
mind. The human mind throughout Hamlet consisted of
emotions, and one attitude towards themselves. This
allowed and provided the reader the ability to form a
judgment or their personal opinion towards the
fundamental aspects of human life.
The Four Humours
"Leonardo
leads,
Donatello does
machines,
Raphael is cool
but rude,
Michelangelo is
a party dude!"
Beliefs
The Elizabethans had certain
beliefs and certain theories they
lived their lives based on. During
this era, humors were used to
describe people and their unique
personalities. The Elizabethans
devised four different kinds of
humors: sanguine, phlegmatic,
choleric and melancholic.
Four Humours
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Temperament: the combination of the four
cardinal humours, the relative proportions of
which were supposed to determine physical and
mental constitution.
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The origin of the four Humours also known as
the four temperaments were originally applied to
medicine by Hippocrates.
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He was an ancient Greek physician seen as the
father of medicine.
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He was also known for taking credit for other
physicians in his field that sent him there
findings.
The Four Humours
In Greek, Medieval, and Renaissance thought, the traditional four
elements form the basis for a theory of medicine and later psychological
typology known as the four humours.
Each of the humours were associated with various correspondences and
particular physical and mental characteristics, and could, moreover, be
combined for more complex personality types: (e.g. choleric-sanguine,
etc).
The result is a system that provides a quite elaborate classification of
types of personality.
The perfect Temperament would be considered having no dominating
humour in most cases it was necessary to interpret Elizabethan dramas.
A person can have all four humours, but each in different quantities.
The Four Humours
The four humours correspond to four bodily fluids: blood,
phlegm, black bile and yellow bile.
A typical diagnosis of a patient would take the balance of these
humours into consideration.
For instance, over-stimulation of wet-hot elements effects nervous
biochemical interactions within the body with glandular
ramifications within the blood.
A wet-cold over-stimulation also effects nervous biochemical
interactions but with ramifications for the relationship between the
muscular biochemical exchanges and the bloodstream such as
diarrhea and diabetes.
Excess black bile in the blood leads to heart palpitations and
constipation
Excess yellow bile leads to general weakness
Medical Beliefs
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It was believed at that time that the three main
organs in the human body were the heart, liver,
and brain.
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The liver in their time was considered to be the
origin of all veins from which they spread out.
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It was believed that the heart was the seat of life.
This was considered the place were all emotions
came from: joy, hope, fear, anger, etc. It was
used to transport our vital spirits throughout our
body.
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The brain was seen as the seat of reason,
imagination and memory.
Hamlet and Humours
In relation to Shakespeare, one can conclude that Hamlet, the
protagonist in Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark
was suffering from melancholia. The main cause of melancholia was
excessive amounts of black bile, Physicians of Shakespeare’s era
speculated, melancholia as one of the types of humors us humans obtained.
There are several examples in the novel crediting him his actions
towards melancholia. For instance, Hamlet displayed endless occurrences
of where he constantly would challenge himself, and his actions. This
inadequately reduced his ability, to make certain judgments throughout the
play. Further more, Hamlet became engaged in several emotions and moods
that were affecting or surrounding him at the time. For example, the anger
and outrage which occurred at the time of his father’s death.
continued
One can assume that Hamlet displayed
genuine or natural concern; this did not make
him bias when questioning what his friends and
families motives really were. With this trait,
one can believe that Hamlet did not display the
quality of ignorance. One of the greatest and
final signs of Hamlets melancholia was his
determination in keeping things according to
plan. Plans were never to be delayed or
changed. This only occurred if, Hamlet issued
the permission by himself, therefore affecting
his own fate.
Hamlets Humour
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Due to his melancholic nature, one can conclude his decisions
and actions in the end played a consequential role.
Subconsciously, Hamlet suffered a case of melancholia.
Through his actions and the role he played one can believe he
acted the way he did due to this type of humor. One in the field of
medical practices in that time would accuse Hamlet of having
excessive amounts of black bile.
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It is also apparent of himself showing signs of excessive yellow
bile or known to be choleric. He showed signs of obsession and
narrow-mindedness. These could be shown when being
obsessed with his fathers death.
The Four Humours in
Renaissance Elizabethan Time
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By this time the humours had become standardized as follows:
Humour
Body
substance
produced
by
Element
Qualities
Complexion
and Body
type
Personality
Plato’s Four
Roles
Aristotle’s
Sources of
happiness
Season
red-cheeked,
corpulent
amorous, happy,
generous,
optimistic,
irresponsible
artisan
Sensation,
pleasure
Spring
Sanguine
blood
liver
air
hot and
moist
Choleric
yellow bile
spleen
fire
hot and dry
red-haired,
thin
violent, vengeful,
short-tempered,
ambitious
idealist
Morality,
harmony
Summer
Phlegmatic
phlegm
lungs
water
cold and
moist
corpulent
Sluggish, pallid,
cowardly
rational
Rationality
Winter
Melancholic
black bile
gall
bladder
earth
cold and
dry
sallow, thin
Introspective,
sentimental,
gluttonous
gaurdian
Property
Autumn
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emperamentEnsemble