Krantz

Reading Guide

Questions for Anatomy of Melancholy

1. What about Burton's own life suggests he might have been a candidate for melancholy?
2. According to the introduction, what does the title lead us to expect of the text?
3. Also according to the introduction, what is the text actually like? I.E. what may we expect is coming?
4. What is humorous about the way Burton sets up his opening for writing about Love Melancholy?
5. Why might we expect Burton to quote from the bible?
6. How does Burton portray women?
7. How does Burton's work show the influence of Castiglione?
8. How does Burton's work comment on Volpone?
9. How does the old woman compare with the old man in Burton's work?
10. What definitions does Burton give to the kind of love he is writing about?
11. Why does Burton cite so many sources?
12. Where does love reside, according to Burton?
13. What works have we read where love is understood to begin in the eyes?
14. What are some things that make Burton's treatise funny?