The Anatomy of Melancholy

The word. The Greek epichairekakia means delight in another person’s misfortune. Burton describes it as a compound of joy and hatred and adds the converse response, grief at another’s prosperity.

In Burton. The term occurs in a list of mixed affections alongside anger, hatred and zeal. Burton’s explanation gives two connected movements: pleasure at another’s harm and distress at another’s success. Both are needed to reproduce his fuller description, even though the Greek name directly identifies the malicious pleasure.

The places. Malicious joy appears among the mixed emotions. (p. 25; DJR-025-29.)

In this edition. “ἐπιχαιρεκακία” → “malicious joy” (DJR-025-29); “rejoyce at other mens mischief” → “rejoice in other people’s misfortunes” (DJR-025-29). Malicious joy provides an intelligible English name. Misfortunes gives mischief its sense of harm suffered, and the subsequent grief at prosperity remains in the sentence.

See also. Jealousy.

Epicure

Source forms: epicurize

The word. Epicurize means to pursue or indulge pleasure in the conventional hostile use associated with the name Epicure. The verb here is a term of reproach, not a precise account of Epicurus’s philosophy.

In Burton. Burton puts epicurize in a scornful series with tyranny, oppression, luxury, conflict and waste. The catalogue culminates in the comparison with Ulysses’ companions as swine. Its force comes from the accumulated denunciation rather than a developed argument about a philosophical school.

The places. Epicurize appears in a catalogue of destructive conduct. (p. 60; DJR-015-35.)

In this edition. “epicurize” → “pursue pleasure” (DJR-015-35). Pursue pleasure conveys the verb’s local action, while the surrounding list preserves its condemnatory tone.

See also. Religion and superstition; Luxurious and riot.

Epithemes

Source forms: epithymes; epithemes

The word. Epithemes are liquid medicinal preparations applied externally, often on cloths over an affected part. Epithymes in the synopsis names these applications and is distinct from the herb epithyme.

In Burton. The synopsis lists epithymes with plasters, poultices and other external preparations. The later account specifies an application over the heart region and names the waters and ingredients proposed for it. This context distinguishes a liquid dressing from a medicine swallowed or an herb named in isolation.

The places. Epithymes are grouped with external applications. (scan p. 324; DJR-067-17.) A liquid preparation is applied over the heart. (p. 394; DJR-105-23.)

In this edition. “Epithymes” → “medicinal lotions” (DJR-067-17); “Epithemes” → “liquid dressings” (DJR-105-23); “an Epitheme for the Heart” → “a liquid dressing for the heart” (DJR-105-23). Medicinal lotions and liquid dressings convey the external use. The second description concerns application over the bodily region of the heart.

See also. Chirurgery.

Equivocation

Source forms: Æquivocations; equivocal

The word. Equivocation here concerns the different senses of a word. Equivocal can describe a loose or imprecise use, without implying that a speaker deliberately deceives or evades.

In Burton. The jealousy heading announces a survey of meanings before narrowing the subject to marital jealousy. The discussion of melancholy distinguishes passing disturbance from an established condition and calls the broader everyday application equivocal and improper. The source index directs readers to both discussions.

The places. The jealousy heading announces different meanings. (p. 591; DJR-144-04.) The source index groups the two discussions. (unnumbered Table; DJR-171-008.) The broad use of melancholy is called equivocal. (p. 11; DJR-023-02.)