The Anatomy of Melancholy

The word. Ecstasy names a trance or a state beyond ordinary awareness. Intense happiness is not an adequate general gloss here. Burton also allows a favourable spiritual sense before distinguishing harmful excess or abuse.

In Burton. The early classification describes states in which people are said to deliver oracles. Another narrative includes trance among a woman’s reported fits. In religious melancholy, Burton explicitly grants the value of temperance and contemplation, describing ecstasy as a foretaste of heavenly happiness, before turning to its abuse.

The places. Ecstasy is linked with reported divination. (p. 9; DJR-022-23.) Trance occurs among the reported fits. (p. 53–54; DJR-031-25.) Spiritual ecstasy is distinguished from its abuse. (p. 656; DJR-156-10.)

In this edition. “Extasie” → “ecstasy” (DJR-022-23); “extasies” → “trance” (DJR-031-25); “Extasis is a taste of future happiness” → “Ecstasy is a taste of future happiness” (DJR-156-10). Trance clarifies the narrative symptom; ecstasy remains where the philosophical or spiritual category matters. The favourable qualification in the later passage is retained.

See also. Madness; Daemon and genius.

Election

Source forms: elections; election of times; election

The word. Election means choosing. In astrology it is the selection of a supposedly favourable time for an action; in the account of the rational soul it is free choice. These senses are distinct from election to salvation.

In Burton. Burton’s satire of learning dismisses astrological elections alongside predictions. His discussion of love reports a debate about compelling affection by choosing times. The philosophical definition, by contrast, places election with the rational soul’s capacity to act freely.

The places. Astrological elections are ridiculed in a catalogue of disciplines. (p. 167; DJR-055-21.) Choosing times is proposed as a means of influencing love. (p. 422; DJR-110-24.) Election names the rational soul’s choice. (p. 27; DJR-026-22.)

In this edition. “vain elections” → “futile choices of auspicious times” (DJR-055-21); “election of times” → “choosing favourable times” (DJR-110-24); “with election” → “by choice” (DJR-026-22). The renderings make the object of choosing explicit where necessary. Choice is sufficient in the philosophical definition.

See also. Astrology.

Election and reprobation

Source forms: reprobate; reprobates; Elect

The word. In the theological discussion, the elect are those chosen for salvation; reprobates are those rejected from it. The terms describe opposed spiritual conditions, but their occurrence in a sufferer’s speech does not establish that the feared condition is true.

In Burton. Burton recounts people’s conviction that they are forsaken and beyond mercy. His subsequent argument challenges that certainty: if they cannot prove that they are not reprobates, how can they prove that they are? The reversal is a move against self-condemnation, not confirmation of it.

The places. Reprobate forms part of the sufferers’ reported despair. (p. 703; DJR-165-39.) People consider themselves forsaken and beyond mercy. (p. 706; DJR-166-22.) Burton challenges the certainty of rejection. (p. 713; DJR-167-42.)

In this edition. “reprobate” → “rejected by God” (DJR-165-39); “account themselves Reprobates” → “consider themselves reprobates” (DJR-166-22); “whether he be elect” → “whether he is among the elect” (DJR-167-42). Rejected by God explains the term where the narrative requires it. Retained reprobates and elect remain theological vocabulary; the wording preserves who believes or questions each claim.

See also. Faith and assurance.

Electuaries

Source forms: electuaries

The word. Electuaries are medicinal compounds commonly mixed with a sweet vehicle. Lenitive describes a gentle laxative effect in the cited recommendation.