The Anatomy of Melancholy

In this edition. “vegetals and sensibles” → “plants and creatures with senses” (DJR-012-38); “Vegetal, Sensitive, and Rational” → “vegetative, sensitive and rational” (DJR-024-24). “Vegetative” names a faculty here; it does not carry the modern colloquial suggestion of an unresponsive human state.

See also. Soul; Sensible.

Animal faculties

Source forms: animal faculties; moving faculty

The word. Animal faculties are the brain-associated powers of sensation, mental activity and voluntary movement. Animal in this terminology concerns the functions of living sentient beings, including humans.

In Burton. In the account of the brain, vapours from other parts supposedly disturb the animal faculties. In the advice on governing appetite, Burton distinguishes the moving faculty from desire: appetite may seek an action while reason prevents the power of movement from carrying it out. Together the examples show faculties as powers that can be affected, commanded or exercised.

The places. Vapours are said to alter brain-associated faculties. (p. 174; DJR-057-06.) The faculty of movement can refrain from executing appetite’s demand. (p. 292; DJR-083-30.)

In this edition. “animal faculties” → “animal faculties” (DJR-057-06); “moving faculty” → “faculty of movement” (DJR-083-30). The retained technical phrase needs this explanation; “animal” should not be read as excluding human mental powers.

See also. Faculty.

Antick

Source forms: antick picture; anticks; Antick

The word. Antick describes a grotesque or fantastic figure, design or conception. The plural anticks can name such invented figures.

In Burton. A grotesque picture first illustrates the attraction of novelty to frivolous readers. In the account of imagination, poets’ and painters’ anticks demonstrate its inventive power. Later, the fantastic conceits attributed to melancholy show the same power producing distressing imagined presences. The term crosses visual art and mental imagery, with different judgments in each setting.

The places. A grotesque picture attracts the passer-by’s gaze. (p. 5; DJR-003-02.) Poets and painters produce imaginative grotesques. (p. 23–24; DJR-025-19.) Fantastic ideas become part of the reported symptoms of melancholy. (p. 187; DJR-059-32.)

In this edition. “antick picture” → “grotesque picture” (DJR-003-02); “Anticks” → “grotesques” (DJR-025-19); “Antick, phantasticall conceipts” → “grotesque, fantastic ideas” (DJR-059-32). The renderings preserve the relation between unusual forms and the imagination; the word need not mean an amusing prank.

See also. Emblem; Imagination; Fustian and bombast; Admire.

Apologize

Source forms: apologize

The word. To apologize here is to defend or justify someone’s position. The word names advocacy in a controversy.

In Burton. Burton says that Rhenanus undertakes to apologize for Anthony and dismisses his opponents. He then steps back from the extensive controversy, arranging chemical physicians and Galenists on opposing sides. The movement from apologize to defend and attack within the passage makes its forensic sense explicit.

The places. Rhenanus defends Anthony in the dispute over chemical medicine. (p. 387; DJR-103-52.)

In this edition. “Apologize for Anthony” → “defend Anthony” (DJR-103-52). “Defend” preserves the direction of the argument. Rhenanus is not represented as expressing regret for Anthony’s conduct.

See also. Parrhesia; Censure.

Apophlegmatisms

Source forms: apophlegmatisms; masticatories

The word. Apophlegmatisms are preparations intended to draw off phlegm. Masticatories are medicinal substances held and chewed in the mouth.

In Burton. Burton distinguishes medicines swallowed from those merely kept in the mouth. After gargles, he names apophlegmatisms and masticatories, divides them into gentle and strong examples, and explains their use through holding and chewing. The paired terms therefore concern both an intended effect and a manner of application.

The places. Chewed preparations are distinguished from swallowed medicines and gargles. (p. 382; DJR-102-44.)