The Anatomy of Melancholy

The cure of love melancholy by work, diet, medicine, fasting and other means

Although some dispute whether love melancholy can be cured, because it is such an irresistible and violent passion—for, as you know,

Easy is the descent to Avernus; But to turn back and escape to the air above— That is the labour, that is the task.

The passage down to hell is easy; But once you are there, returning is no easy matter.

yet unquestionably, if treated in time, it can be relieved and improved by many good remedies. Avicenna, book 3, fen, chapters 23 and 24, sets out seven concise methods by which this malady may be eased, altered and expelled. Savonarola gives nine principal observations; Jason Pratensis prescribes eight rules, besides medicines, for taming this passion; Laurentius gives two main precepts. Arnoldus, Valleriola, Montaltus, Hildesheim, Langius and others offer different instructions, yet all tend towards the same purpose.

I shall briefly summarize their substance—for I light my candle from their torches—and expand upon it as occasion offers and seems best to me, following my own method. The first rule for this stubborn, unbridled passion concerns exercise and diet. There is an old and familiar saying: “Without Ceres and Bacchus, Venus grows cold.” Just as an idle, sedentary life and abundant food are major causes, so their opposites—work, a light and sparing diet, and constant occupation—are the best and most usual means of prevention.

Take away idleness, and Cupid’s arts are ruined; His torches lie despised and without light.

Take idleness away, and Cupid’s arts Are put to flight; his torches give no light.

Minerva, Diana, Vesta and the nine Muses never fell in love, because they were never idle.

In vain, flatteries, have you approached them; In vain, wanton tricks, have you come to them; In vain, pleasures, will you besiege them; In vain, temptations and shameless advances, Sighs and kisses and whispers, And whoever bewitches lovers’ disordered hearts, Drunk with seductive poisons.

In vain are all your flatteries, In vain are all your knaveries, Delights, deceits and shameless tricks, Sighs, kisses and conspiracies, And every art employed To bewitch a lover’s heart.

It is useless to assail those who are busy. Savonarola’s third rule is “to be occupied in many important affairs,” and this is also Avicenna’s precept in chapter 24:

Love yields to business: keep busy, and you will be safe.

Be continually occupied and, as Guianerius directs, with matters of great importance if possible. Magninus adds: “Never be idle except during the hours of sleep.”

And unless you call for a book and a light before dawn, Unless you direct your mind to study And honourable pursuits, you will be wretchedly Tormented by envy or love.

For if you do not apply yourself to books, Intent on study by candlelight, Occupied with some honourable pursuit, Envy or love will torment you.

There is no better medicine than to be always occupied and earnestly absorbed.