"And There's the Humor of It": Shakespeare and the Four Humors Exhibit

Examine the intersection of medical theory and literature with the National Library of Medicine's traveling exhibition currently in the Harriet K. & Philip Pumerantz Library. 

These four bodily humors—blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm—were understood by Shakespeare, and generations before him, to define people’s physical and mental health, and to determine an individual’s personality, as well. 

Visit the Pumerantz Library to see this exhibit to learn more about the language of the four humors and their influence in Shakespeare’s plays.  Additional displays, created by the Pumerantz Library staff, show the evolution toward modern medical theory and practice.   

The exhibit will run, in the Pumerantz Library's Lobby, from August 4 until September 12, 2014.  View some photos of the exhibit on our Flickr page. For further information contact the Pumerantz Library at 909-469-5323 or visit the "And there's the humor of it" website.