Abstract
Abstract
The article examines the politics of melancholy in Scot’s The Discoverie of Witchcraft. It suggests that Scot’s knowledge of this condition, its symptoms and treatment, was indicative of enlightened Protestant thought. It argues that, in this text, the recognition of melancholy as an affliction was used to underpin the paternal responsibility of the juror, gentleman or neighbour to be compassionate towards the poor in Kent.
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