The Anatomy of Melancholy

In Burton. The absent beloved remains present through images and a remembered name. Burton incorporates the verses into his catalogue of persistent remembrance, where the word joins sensory representation to continuing desire.

The places. Images remain at hand when the beloved is absent. (p. 528; DJR-130-48.)

In this edition. “simulachra” → “images” (DJR-130-48). Images is readable in the immediate love context; the note retains the term’s philosophical background. The article heading normalizes the Latin spelling while the source form records simulachra.

See also. Imagination.

Sodomy

Source forms: Sodomy; buggery; Sodomites

The word. Sodomy and buggery are overlapping historical terms for condemned sexual acts. Their range does not correspond neatly to a single modern act or sexual orientation; sodomites is likewise an accusatory label in these passages.

In Burton. Burton places the terms in catalogues combining myth, alleged conduct and broad accusations against peoples. A further catalogue uses sodomites in a Christian polemic against the morality of pagan gods. The labels reveal the structure and hostility of his argument rather than supplying neutral descriptions of identities.

The places. Sodomy appears amid an extended catalogue of alleged conduct and fabulous births. (p. 441; DJR-114-25.) Sodomy and buggery occur together in a list of condemned acts. (p. 450; DJR-116-33.) Sodomites forms part of the attack on the gods’ supposed unworthiness. (p. 666; DJR-158-12.)

In this edition. “peccatum Sodomiæ” → “the sin of sodomy” (DJR-114-25); “sodomy, buggery” → “sodomy, buggery” (DJR-116-33); “incestious Sodomites” → “incestuous sodomites” (DJR-158-12). The historical labels remain visible with their condemnatory force and contextual explanation. Their overlap is not silently replaced by a modern taxonomy.

See also. Quean and slut.

Solitude

Source forms: solitariness; solitudo

The word. Solitude and solitariness mean being alone. Burton distinguishes excessive solitude, which may be forced or voluntary, from forms of solitary contemplation he considers beneficial.

In Burton. The cause chapter makes too much solitude a close companion of idleness and also a symptom. It then explicitly allows profitable meditation and solitude rightly used. The danger therefore depends upon excess, circumstances and use rather than isolation alone.

The places. Excessive solitude is divided into imposed and voluntary kinds. (p. 87; DJR-038-01.) Profitable solitude receives qualified praise. (p. 89; DJR-038-12.)

In this edition. “nimia solitudo” → “excessive solitude” (DJR-038-01); “too much solitariness” → “too much being alone” (DJR-038-01); “kinde of solitariness” → “kind of solitude” (DJR-038-12). The modern text keeps both the warning and the concession. Excessive is essential to the first definition, and used rightly limits the second.

See also. Idleness; Leisure; Anchorite; Mortification; Recreate.

Sorrow

Source forms: sorrow

The word. Sorrow is the emotion directed toward a present evil in this classification. Fear, by contrast, concerns an evil still to come.

In Burton. Burton gives sorrow effects on both soul and body: it contracts the heart, torments the soul and obstructs bodily operations. His emotional classification thus also provides a historical physiological explanation for melancholy.

The places. Sorrow concerns present evil and is said to contract the heart. (p. 25; DJR-025-28.)

In this edition. “as sorrow, which contracts the Heart” → “as sorrow does: it contracts the heart” (DJR-025-28); “macerates the Soule” → “torments the soul” (DJR-025-28). Sorrow remains unchanged, while torments clarifies macerates. The temporal distinction from fear and the claimed bodily consequences remain part of the account.

See also. Passion; Heart and cordolium; Tædium vitae; Despair; Macerate; Painful.

Soul

Source forms: Soul