A Doctor's Shakespeare: A Collection of Medical Quotations from Shakespeare

This compilation of 740 quotations of medical interest grew out of a thorough reading and re-reading of William Shakespeare’s 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and the several long poems. The emotional and physical problems of his characters are frequently mentioned in the plays, and disease and remedy are often used as metaphor to clarify non-medical situations. Although the science of Medicine has changed enormously in recent times, the humanistic aspects have not. Shakespeare’s comments on illness and its effects are still quite pertinent. His unique insight, archaic style, and creative language bring a certain freshness and charm to our continuing contemplation of the art of Medicine. Dr. Foster’s limited interspersed comments are meant to provide a background picture of Elizabethan times and Medicine and, where needed, to remind the reader of the setting of the quotation in the plays and poems.