Comedy of humours

Definition

The comedy of humours is a dramatic genre that emerged in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, focusing on the balance of four bodily fluids—blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile—that were believed to influence personality traits and behaviors. This type of comedy often portrays exaggerated characters who embody these humours, leading to humorous situations that reflect their flaws and the follies of society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The comedy of humours is characterized by its focus on individual characters who are often driven by a single dominant humour, resulting in comedic conflicts and situations.
2. Ben Jonson is credited with popularizing the comedy of humours during the English Renaissance, using it to create memorable characters that reflect societal absurdities.
3. In a comedy of humours, character flaws are often exaggerated for comic effect, revealing deeper truths about human nature and social behavior.
4. This genre typically features intricate plots that intertwine various characters, showcasing how their differing humours clash with one another in humorous ways.
5. The comedy of humours was influential in shaping later comedic forms, paving the way for character-driven comedies in both British and European literature.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of humours influence character development in comedies of humours?
  • In comedies of humours, characters are often defined by a dominant humour that shapes their personality and behavior. For example, a character influenced by excess blood may be overly cheerful and impulsive, while one dominated by black bile could be melancholic and cynical. This approach to character development allows playwrights to create exaggerated personalities that lead to comedic scenarios, as the interactions between differing humours generate conflict and humor.
• Discuss the role of Ben Jonson in the evolution of the comedy of humours and its significance in English literature.
  • Ben Jonson played a pivotal role in the evolution of the comedy of humours by crafting plays that not only entertained but also critiqued societal norms through character-driven humor. His works, such as 'Volpone' and 'The Alchemist,' exemplified how individual quirks linked to specific humours could reflect broader human follies. This blend of humor with social commentary established a new standard in English literature, influencing subsequent playwrights and comedians to explore character-based humor and societal critique.
• Analyze how comedies of humours reflect societal values and issues during the English Renaissance.
  • Comedies of humours serve as a mirror to the societal values and issues of the English Renaissance by highlighting human behavior through the lens of humour theory. The exaggerated traits associated with each humour reveal underlying truths about society's expectations and contradictions. By showcasing characters whose actions are driven by their dominant humours—often leading to chaos or absurdity—these comedies critique social norms, individual flaws, and moral dilemmas. This reflection on human nature encourages audiences to consider their own behaviors within the context of societal expectations.

Related terms

Humour Theory: An ancient medical theory proposing that human health and temperament are influenced by the balance of four bodily fluids: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile.

Ben Jonson: A prominent playwright of the English Renaissance known for his comedies of humours, particularly 'Volpone' and 'The Alchemist,' which illustrate characters driven by their predominant humours.

Satire: A literary technique that uses humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or mock societal norms and human vices, often employed in comedies of humours to highlight absurdities.