Gumberg Library is preparing to kick off a six-week poster exhibit and variety of related events based on renowned playwright William Shakespeare and the four humors.
“And there’s the humor of it:” Shakespeare and the Four Humors, which is free and open to the public and the campus community, will be on display in Gumberg’s Popular Reading Room on the fourth floor Monday, Feb. 12, through Saturday, March 24.
The traveling exhibit was developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and the Folger Shakespeare Library. The now outdated theory of the four bodily humors—blood, bile, melancholy and phlegm—permeate Shakespeare’s plays. During his time, the four humors were understood to define a person’s physical and mental health and determined one’s personality.
“And there’s the humor of it:” Shakespeare and the Four Humors explores the role of the four humors in several of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays through beautiful imagery and rare books from both the National Library of Medicine and the Folger Shakespeare Library, and examines more modern interpretations of the four humors in contemporary medicine.
“The exhibit and events bring together two areas of life that are usually not connected in the popular imagination—medicine and the arts,” said Ted Bergfelt, humanities librarian. “The theory of the humors was used to holistically include the larger world of nature into our understanding of human action. By bringing these two aspects of life into proximity, we can examine their interplay and comment on the influences one may have on the other.”
Events being held in conjunction with the exhibit include:
- Come and Make a Shakespearean-Themed Valentine
Wednesday, Feb. 14, noon to 2 p.m., Popular Reading Room, fourth floor, Gumberg Library.
Craft materials will be provided. - Introducing the “And there’s the humor of it” Poster Exhibit
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Popular Reading Room, fourth floor, Gumberg Library.
This event will include an introduction to the Four Humors and the poster exhibit. In addition, the director for the Red Masquers’ upcoming production of Macbeth will discuss bringing Shakespeare to the stage in the 21st century. - In Performance: Shakespeare and the Four Humors
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Genesius Theater.
Learn about the humors in Shakespeare’s works through the presentation of scenes and dramatic readings of important passages from the plays. Featuring Duquesne University’s Red Masquers, special guests and William Feher and Gesina Phillips as co-hosts. - Panel Discussion on Shakespeare and the Humors
Wednesday, March 14, 3 p.m., fifth floor, Gumberg Library.
English department faculty members Dr. Stuart Kurland, Dr. Rebecca May, and Dr. Sarah Breckenridge Wright will discuss the humors in ancient and Renaissance worldviews and how Shakespeare made use of them in creating his characters.
For more information on “And there’s the humor of it:” Shakespeare and the Four Humors, visit www.duq.edu/DUQHumors or contact Christie Kliewer, outreach and communications librarian, at kliewerc@duq.edu.