Montaigne & Melancholy: The Wisdom of the Essays - Softcover

Screech, M A; Fumaroli, Marc

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742508633 ISBN 13: 9780742508637

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000

Synopsis

Montaigne (1533-1592), the personification of philosophical calm, had to struggle to become the wise Renaissance humanist we know. His balanced temperament, sanguine and melancholic, promised genius but threatened madness. When he started his Essays, Montaigne was upset by an attack of melancholy humor: He became temperamental and unbalanced. Writing about himself restored the balance but broke an age-old taboo-happily so, for he discovered profound truths about himself and about our human condition. His charm and humor have made his writings widely enjoyed and admired.

About this title

Review:

A probing, loving companion to the masterwork.--Nicholas Wollaston "Observer "

A sensitive probe into how Montaigne resolved for himself the age-old ambiguities of melancholia and, in doing so, spoke of what he called the 'human condition'.--Roy Porter "London Review Of Books "

Original and important. . . . His study will easily fulfil its avowed aim of making Montaigne's Essays more comprehensible and more enjoyable.--James Supple "Times Higher Education "

An invaluable literary companion to the essays of Montaigne ... the insights it provides are remarkable.--Anthony Storr "Sunday Times "

Synopsis:

Montaigne (1533-1592), the personification of philosophical calm, had to struggle to become the wise Renaissance humanist we know. His balanced temperament, sanguine and melancholic, promised genius but threatened madness. This work discusses Montaigne and his melancholy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0742508633
• ISBN 13: 9780742508637
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208