The Anatomy of Melancholy

The word. Sensible can mean capable of sensation, sensitive to injury, or an object perceived by a sense. Sensitive in the faculty theory denotes the capacity for sensation, not merely emotional delicacy.

In Burton. Sensibles contrasts beings with senses against plants. The classification of souls then makes the sensitive faculty include the vegetative, while the rational includes both. Elsewhere melancholy people are especially sensible to humiliation. In the Latin axiom, sensible is the object whose overwhelming strength harms the faculty of sense.

The places. Sensibles are beings capable of sensation. (p. 46; DJR-012-38.) Sensitive names one of the soul’s principal faculties. (p. 20; DJR-024-24.) Sensible soul appears as the heading for that faculty. (p. 21; DJR-025-01.) Sensible describes susceptibility to distressing injury. (p. 150; DJR-051-41.) Sensible names an object of sense in the philosophical maxim. (p. 635; DJR-151-42.)

In this edition. “sensibles” → “creatures with senses” (DJR-012-38); “Sensitive” → “sensitive” (DJR-024-24); “sensible Soul” → “sensitive soul” (DJR-025-01); “most sensible” → “most sensitive” (DJR-051-41); “Sensible forte” → “An overpowering object of sense” (DJR-151-42). The equivalents separate sensory capacity, personal susceptibility and a sensory object. None of these uses means reasonable in the common modern sense.

See also. Animal and vegetal; Common sense; Species in perception.

Shame

Source forms: subrusticus pudor; rusticus pudor; shamefac’d

The word. Pudor can mean shame or bashfulness. Rusticus pudor and subrusticus pudor describe socially awkward shyness; shamefaced in the selected passage means shy rather than necessarily guilty.

In Burton. Awkward shyness appears among the feelings that seize a melancholic person. The later treatment connects blushing with company, social superiors and fear of observation. In the account of behaviour, bashfulness prevents people from putting themselves forward for offices or honours.

The places. Subrusticus pudor forms part of the sudden onset of distress. (p. 89; DJR-038-11.) Rusticus pudor introduces the discussion of bashfulness and blushing. (p. 396; DJR-106-01.) Shamefaced describes reluctance to speak or accept advancement. (p. 188; DJR-059-39.)

In this edition. “subrusticus pudor” → “awkward shyness” (DJR-038-11); “Rusticus pudor” → “Rustic shyness” (DJR-106-01); “very shamefac’d” → “very shy” (DJR-059-39). Shyness and bashfulness preserve the social difficulty without implying wrongdoing. The Latin phrase in the blushing discussion is translated before Burton’s own list of symptoms.

See also. Magnanimity and pusillanimity; Fear; Apprehension.

Silly

Source forms: silly

The word. Silly can mean simple or unlearned, weak or helpless, unsuspecting, or pitiable. The word’s precise force must be taken from the person and situation described.

In Burton. The surgeon is unlearned in contrast to a theoretically trained physician. The vulnerable human creature is helpless before changing fortune. Travellers targeted by procurers are unsuspecting, while the love-stricken shepherd and the soul terrified by punishment are pitiable. Foolishness would flatten these differences.