Early Modern England: Medicine, Shakespeare, and Books

Doctors in Shakespeare's Plays

Romeo and Juliet

“I do remember an apothecary—
And hereabouts he dwells—which late I noted
In tattered weeds, with overwhelming brows,
Culling of simples. Meager were his looks,
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones,
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung,
An alligator stuffed, and other skins
Of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves
A beggarly account of empty boxes,
Green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds,
Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses,
Were thinly scattered to make up a show.”
—Romeo, Romeo and Juliet, Act V, Scene 1

Pericles, Prince of Tyre

“This queen will live: nature awakes; a warmth
Breathes out of her: she hath not been entranced
Above five hours: see how she gins to blow
Into life's flower again!”
—Crimean, Pericles, Act III, Scene 4

King Lear

“Our foster nurse of nature is repose, The which he lacks.”
—Doctor, King Lear, Act IV, Scene 4

Macbeth

“More needs she the Divine, than the Physician:
God, God forgive vs all. Look after her,
Remove from her the means of all annoyance,
And still keep eyes upon her.”
—Doctor, Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1

Caius and Pinch

Shakespeare’s plays include a few “quack” doctors, humorous phonies with little medical training, or dubious methods of healing. These include French doctor Caius from The Merry Wives of Windsor and the exorcist Dr. Pinch from The Comedy of Errors.

Illustration from 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'

“He has no more knowledge in Hibocrates and Galen, and he is a knave besides.”
—Sir Hugh, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene 1

Ben Layman as Dr. Pinch tries to cure Antipholus, played by Patrick Malloy, of his affliction as Connor Magliozzi, a constable, keeps him from fleeing . Ten Bucks Theatre (Bangor, ME

“Mistress, both Man and Master is possessed,
I know it by their pale and deadly looks.
They must be bound and laid in some dark room.”
—Dr. Pinch, The Comedy of Errors, Act IV, Scene 5

Real-Life Doctors

At least two of Shakespeare’s doctor characters have their roots in history. Sir William Butts was physician to King Henry VIII and makes an appearance in Shakespeare’s co-authored play Henry VIII. Dr. John Caius, founder of Caius College in Cambridge and royal doctor to Edward VI, “Bloody” Mary, and Elizabeth I, may have a namesake in the flamboyant (but incompetent) French doctor Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Shakespeare’s son-in-law, John Hall, was also a doctor.

Portrait of Sir William Butts by Hans Holbein the Younger

©2017 John Martin Rare Book Room, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, 600 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1098
Image: Sir John Everett Millais, Ophelia (detail), 1851-52, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 111.8 cm, Tate Gallery, London.