BBC: The four 'humours' -2

Let's add two related words here: extrovert and introvert. An extrovert is someoen outgoing and sociable- like the sanguine personality. And introverst is more reserved and thoughtful- a bit closer to the melancholic type. 

These terms were developed much later, but the similarities show much we still like to divide people into "types."

And that's our sixth word: archetype. An archetype is a classic example or model of something- like the "angry boss" or the "sad poet." The four humours were seen as archetypes of human behaviour.

And archetypes are still everywhere today- in movies, stories, and even personality quizzes online. 

So Neil, if you had to guess, which humour type would you say you are?

Hmm, good question. I'd like to think I'm sanguine- cheerful, optimistic, always ready for a laugh. 

I can see that! But sometimes, maybe a touch of phlegmatic too- calm and steady. 

True. And you, Gerogie?

I'd probably say I'm a mix of melancholic- thoughtful, a bit reflective- and sanguine. So I can be serious, but I love a good party too. 

Well, at least neither of us is too choleric- otherwise this studio would be full of arguments!

Exactly. It's fun to think about, even if the science is outdated. 

So, the four humours may be ancient and unscentific, but they shaped medicine, literature. and even the way we still talk about personality. 

And maybe that's why we still find them so fascinating. We like to put people into categories- it helps us understand ourselves, even if the science doesn't hold up. 

Time to check the quiz. We asked: Which of these was not one of the four humours?

a) Blood   b) Phlegm      c) Yellow bile    or    d) Oxygen

The answer is...d) Oxygen. The ancient Greeks didn't know about oxygen, but they were very sure about bile and blood!

Let's recap the words we learned today:

Humour (in history): a body fluid, not just a joke

Choleric: hot-tempered, linked to yellow bile. 

Melancholic: gloomy or sad, from black bile

Temperament: someone's natural character or mood. 

Extrovert/ introvert: outgoing vs reserved personality types

Archetype: a classic example or model of a type.