alth, regardless of whether that was the intention!
6. “Can’st thou minister to a mind diseased?” (Macbeth)
Shakespeare wasn’t just concerned with physical health, but mental health as well. He understood that extreme levels of stress could be unhealthy, as did many Elizabethans, who had a relatively enlightened approach to mental health. As it happens, Shakespeare’s own son-in-law, John Hall, attempted to treat a girl suffering from mental health problems with laxatives and enemas. Okay, so by modern standards that sounds kind of wacky, but it’s a far cry from the popular belief that people who suffered from psychiatric problems in Tudor times were “madmen” who needed to be ostracized from society.
As you can see, there are tons of references to health in Shakespeare’s plays, and while he didn’t always agree with the prevailing wisdom of the day, it’s clear that many Elizabethans had sophisticated and thoughtful attitudes towards the concept of wellness. This Shakespeare Day, why not pay homage to the big man by cooking up a nice, healthy fish dish and enjoying a good night’s rest?
Photo: Shakespeare statue at the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Library of Congress.