Physiognomy Definition & Examples

Physiognomy Definition: the author creates physical features and characteristics for a character that indicate personality, intentions, or other internal traits

Physiognomy Definition

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Physiognomy - The Outside CAN Matter

Physiognomy is used in literature to point to a character’s true intentions and inner self by creating physical manifestations of these traits. An author can create an evil character and point to their untrustworthiness by giving them some kind of outer deformity; likewise, the author can also point to a character’s inherent goodness by making them flawless. This is most often exemplified in fairy tales or Disney movies, where the witch or villain is almost always flawed physically, with ugliness and deformities predominating their face and bodies. On the other hand, the princess, prince, or hero of these stories is almost always flawless, and the viewer or reader is expected to understand that this lack of physical deformity makes them inherently good. In literature, Roger Chillingworth and Mordred in The Scarlet Letter and The Once and Future King both have deformities of the shoulder, making one shoulder higher than the other. While this may seem like a slight flaw, both men become villains of the story and ultimately destroy the happiness of Hester and Arthur, the heroes of the stories.

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Notable Physiognomy Examples in Literature

Frequently Asked Questions about Physiognomy Definition & Examples

What is physiognomy?

Physiognomy is the study of judging a person's character or personality based on their physical appearance, especially their facial features.

How was physiognomy used in history?

Throughout history, physiognomy was often used to make assumptions about people's traits or intelligence based on their looks, but these ideas are now widely considered unscientific and biased.

Why is physiognomy considered controversial today?

Physiognomy is controversial because it can lead to stereotyping and discrimination, as it judges people by appearance instead of their actions or character.

What is the difference between physiognomy and phrenology?

Physiognomy focuses on facial features to infer character, while phrenology examines the shape of the skull to determine personality. Both are now seen as pseudosciences.

Are there any modern uses or studies related to physiognomy?

Today, physiognomy is mainly studied as a historical idea. Modern science does not support its claims, and educators use it as an example of why we should avoid judging by appearances.