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Genre
Explanation and Analysis—Comedy of the Humours:
Every Man in His Humour is a comedy. More specifically, it belongs to a subcategory known as the "comedy of the humours" a term derived from the medieval medical concept of the humors. In this context, "humours" refer to four bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile). The balance or imbalance of these fluids was believed to influence a person's temperament and behavior. Jonson employs humor-related comedy by creating characters who embody exaggerated and often absurd traits associated with the different humors. These characters include the choleric, the sanguine, the melancholic, and the phlegmatic, each representing a particular temperament. Stephen, for example, displays excessive melancholia throughout the play, and the easily irritated Downright embodies the choleric personality type.
The play also offers strong elements of satire, painting a satirical portrayal of the various social classes and stereotypical figures that populated the bustling city of London during the Elizabethan era. The plot revolves around the characters' interactions and misunderstandings, often driven by both their humorous idiosyncrasies and broader social tensions between classes. Jonson's play is characterized by its witty and clever dialogue, filled with allusions to social norms, contemporary events, and fashions that would have been familiar to his Elizabethan audience.
Every Man in His Humour is also noteworthy for its departure from the romantic themes prevalent in other prominent theatrical works of the time. Instead, it offers a more socially critical approach to comedy. Overall, the genre of Every Man in His Humour can be described as a character-driven comedy with a satirical edge, offering audiences a humorous reflection on the diverse personalities that make up the social fabric of Elizabethan London.
