| Author |
Burton, Robert, 1577-1640 |
| Title |
The Anatomy of Melancholy
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 62.8 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by Karl Hagen, D. Moynihan and Distributed Proofreaders
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| Summary |
"The Anatomy of Melancholy" by Robert Burton is a philosophical work written in the early 17th century. Presented as a comprehensive treatise, it examines the nature of melancholy, its various types, causes, symptoms, prognostics, and remedies, blending both medical and philosophical insights. The author, who adopts the pseudonym Democritus Junior, aims to explore this profound human condition while drawing from classic sources and his personal experiences, reflecting his own struggles with melancholy. The opening of the text establishes the background and context for Burton's exploration. It begins with an introduction to the significance and historical reception of the work, noting its wide appeal and the multitude of editions it has undergone since its first publication. Burton shares insights into his life as a scholar in Oxford and explains his intent to articulate the nature of melancholy, both for personal relief and to aid others. He humorously reflects on the challenges of writing about such a complex subject while addressing potential criticisms of his style and method. This initial portion sets the tone for a rich and deeply contemplative examination of one of humanity's most enduring afflictions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Melancholy -- Early works to 1800
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
10800 |
| Release Date |
Jan 1, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Oct 3, 2024 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
2401 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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