Campus exhibit explores Shakespeare’s understanding of human personality

A new exhibit from the National Library of Medicine, History of Medicine Division, called “And There’s the Humor of It: Shakespeare and the four humors,” is on display in Bliss Hall on the campus of Youngstown State University.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Melnick Medical Museum, is on display in the Ford theater lobby of Bliss Hall through April 23. The exhibit will then be available in the Reference Room on the main floor of Maag Library until May 18.

The banner exhibit explores the role played by the four humors in several of William 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. It focuses on three plays in particular, Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet and Merchant of Venice.

For more information, contact Cassie Nespor, curator, Melnick Medical Museum and University Archives, at 330-941-3487, or visit Melnick Medical Museum online or National Library of Medicine online.