The Anatomy of Melancholy

The word. Metempsychosis is the passage of a soul from one body to another; palingenesia is rebirth. Burton pairs them in his account of Pythagorean teaching.

In Burton. The souls first drink the water of forgetfulness and then enter new bodies. The animal examples connect their new forms with inclinations or traits shown during their human lives. Burton combines several traditions in this brief survey.

The places. The paired terms introduce passage into new bodies. (p. 26; DJR-026-05.)

In this edition. “Metempsychosis, and Palingenesia” → “transmigration and rebirth” (DJR-026-05). Transmigration and rebirth state the two meanings directly, while the surrounding account retains their association with Lethe and animal character.

See also. Soul.

Meteors

Source forms: meteors; Ignes fatui; blazing Stars; ignis fatuus

The word. Meteors can cover atmospheric phenomena and disturbances broadly. Blazing stars are comets; ignes fatui, or the singular ignis fatuus, are will-o’-the-wisps, misleading lights that also supply a figurative expression.

In Burton. Burton first lists dangerous weather among the threats to human life. In the classification of spirits, several different lights become instruments of fiery devils. Elsewhere imagination itself is a will-o’-the-wisp, leading the sufferer through changing forms of distress.

The places. Meteors introduces the threatening phenomena of the air. (p. 4; DJR-021-29.) Comets and misleading lights enter the classification of fiery spirits. (p. 46; DJR-029-46.) The will-o’-the-wisp becomes an image of shifting imagination. (p. 195; DJR-061-11.)

In this edition. “Meteors” → “atmospheric disturbances” (DJR-021-29); “blazing Stars” → “comets” (DJR-029-46); “Ignes fatui” → “will-o’-the-wisps” (DJR-029-46); “ignis fatuus of phantasie” → “will-o’-the-wisp, imagination” (DJR-061-11). The equivalents distinguish weather, comets and reported wandering lights rather than treating all as modern astronomical meteors. The figurative light retains its power to lead astray.

See also. Astrology.

Microcosm

Source forms: Microcosme

The word. Microcosm means a little world. Here it names the human being, whose internal changes can be compared with disturbances in a larger world.

In Burton. The thunderbolt of emotional disturbance violently alters this little world. Burton then describes the body acting upon the mind through humours, spirits and vapours. The image gathers bodily and mental effects within one human constitution.

The places. The little world is shaken by the thunderbolt of the passions. (p. 91; DJR-038-30.)

In this edition. “this our Microcosme” → “our little world, the human being” (DJR-038-30). The added explanation identifies the metaphor’s human referent. Healthy condition and balance clarify the accompanying estate and temperature.

See also. Soul.

Mirth

Source forms: mirth

The word. Mirth means cheerfulness or enjoyable social activity, including lively company. In the remedy discussion it belongs to means of diverting distressing thoughts and restoring the mind.

In Burton. Burton gives mirth a prominent place beside music and company in his account of relief. His final counsel likewise recommends wholesome recreation and help from friends. The later passage develops the restorative purpose without repeating the word mirth itself.

The places. Mirth joins music and company among the preferred means of relief. (p. 298–299; DJR-085-02.) Wholesome recreation and friendship serve the related purpose of restoration. (p. 722; DJR-169-28.)

In this edition. “mirth” → “cheerfulness” (DJR-085-02); “refresh and recreate his distressed soul” → “refresh and restore his distressed soul” (DJR-169-28). Cheerfulness names the immediate sense; restore makes the related force of recreation explicit. The two examples connect enjoyment with a change in the course of thought.