The Anatomy of Melancholy

Love and love melancholy, Member 1, Section 1

Sections: 3.1.1.

Preface or introduction. Subsection 1. The definition and origin of love, Subsection 2; its object—the fair, lovable, gracious and pleasant—from which come Beauty and grace, which everyone desires and loves; the parts affected.

Sections: 3.1.1.1; 3.1.1.2.

Divisions or kinds. Subsection 2. Natural: in lifeless things, as the love and hatred of the elements; and in living things, such as plants—the vine and elm, attraction, repulsion, and so on. Sentient: as in animals, for pleasure, preservation of the species, mutual compatibility, habit, being brought up together, and so on.

Sections: 3.1.1.2.

Or rational. Simple, with three objects, as in Member 2: The useful. Subsection 1. Health, wealth, honour; we love our benefactors. Nothing is so lovable as advantage, or what seems advantageous.

Sections: 3.1.2.1.

The pleasant. Subsection 2. Lifeless things made by human skill; pictures, sports, games; objects of the senses, such as hawks, hounds and horses. Or people themselves, from similarity of character or natural affection, as towards friends, children and relatives; or for the sake of praise, those who commend us. Of women: Before marriage, as heroic melancholy, Section 2; see “Heroic or love melancholy” below. Or after marriage, as jealousy, Section 3; see “Jealousy” below.

Sections: 3.1.2.2; 3.2; 3.3.

Or the honourable. Subsection 3. Counterfeit in appearance, through some error or hypocrisy: some seem to be what they are not. Or genuine, for virtue, integrity, good qualities, learning, eloquence, and so on.

Sections: 3.1.2.3.

Mixed from all three, extending to Member 3: The common good, our neighbour, country and friends: this is charity, whose absence causes much discontent and melancholy. Or God, Section 4: In excess, see Section 4, Member 1. In deficiency, see Section 4, Member 2.

Sections: 3.1.3; 3.4.1; 3.4.2.