The Anatomy of Melancholy

In Burton. The chain of favourites and flatterers illustrates servile ambition. The classification of passions places emulation among emotions that become destructive when immoderate. Burton then expressly allows honest emulation in study and other callings, presenting it as a stimulus to intelligence and courage.

The places. Misguided imitation drives a chain of dependence. (p. 37; DJR-011-07.) Emulation is listed among passions liable to excess. (p. 97 [scan p. 197]; DJR-040-03.) Honest emulation is defended. (p. 103; DJR-041-19.)

In this edition. “κακοζηλίαν” → “misguided imitation” (DJR-011-07); “Emulation” → “rivalry” (DJR-040-03); “Honest emulation” → “Honourable rivalry” (DJR-041-19). Rivalry gives the competitive sense. Honourable preserves the qualification that makes Burton’s approval intelligible; honest is not limited here to truthfulness.

See also. Jealousy.

Entertain

Source forms: entertainment; entertain; gives entertainment

The word. To entertain can mean to receive someone, provide a place in a household, or maintain a person in service. Entertainment consequently includes reception and support, without necessarily implying amusement.

In Burton. The impoverished scholar may be admitted to a patron’s household yet wait years for an appointment. Princes entertain jesters by maintaining them at court, even though the jesters’ work is itself entertaining in the modern sense. A man acting the grandee gives entertainment by receiving visitors.

The places. A patron may receive a scholar into his household. (p. 142 [printed 128]; DJR-049-28.) Princes maintain jesters and actors. (p. 420; DJR-110-09.) The imagined grandee receives visitors. (p. 194; DJR-061-03.)

In this edition. “give him entertainment” → “take him into his household” (DJR-049-28); “entertain Jesters” → “maintain jesters” (DJR-110-09); “gives entertainment” → “receives visitors” (DJR-061-03). The translations identify the particular act of reception or employment. They retain the difference between providing a livelihood and securing the desired appointment.

See also. Ordinary; Hospital; Conversation; Familiar.

Enthusiasm

Source forms: fanaticall; Enthusiasts; Enthusiasmus; enthusiasticks; Enthusiasmes

The word. Enthusiasm here means inspiration or possession attributed to a divine spirit. An enthusiast is someone understood or claiming to be so inspired. Fanatical can likewise describe prophetic frenzy, rather than simply intense commitment.

In Burton. Burton uses inspired figures to qualify the rule that melancholy always brings fear and sorrow. He also reports a medical account linking inspired possession with exceptional intellectual ability. In the religious discussion, enthusiasm appears amid claims he distrusts, ranging from excessive devotion to the revelations of hostilely described sects. The word’s valuation therefore depends on the passage.

The places. Prophetic frenzy qualifies a general account of melancholy. (p. 181; DJR-058-25.) Inspired people are excluded from one classification. (p. 181; DJR-058-27.) Enthusiasmus is linked with exceptional ability. (p. 192; DJR-060-22.) Excessive devotion is said to produce claims of inspiration. (p. 632–633; DJR-151-23.) Bodily and environmental conditions are alleged precursors. (p. 656; DJR-156-07.) Sectarian revelations are attacked. (p. 677; DJR-160-21.)

In this edition. “fanaticall persons” → “people seized by prophetic frenzy” (DJR-058-25); “Enthusiasts” → “people seized by inspiration” (DJR-058-27); “Enthusiasmus” → “inspired possession” (DJR-060-22); “enthusiasticks” → “people who believe themselves inspired” (DJR-151-23); “Enthusiasmes” → “states of inspiration” (DJR-156-07); “strange Enthusiasmes” → “strange claims of divine inspiration” (DJR-160-21). Inspiration and possession preserve the stronger historical senses. Where the passage contests a claim, the rendering makes that distance visible.

See also. Religion and superstition.

Epichairekakia

Source forms: ἐπιχαιρεκακία