PTSD from Shakespeare's time and before

[rachelmanija]

I'm writing a paper on PTSD and combat-related berserk states as depicted in pre-1650 sources and comparing it to the current understanding of both. Ideally, I will be able to reference substance/alcohol use and abuse in relation to this.

Can you recommend me some sources to check out? I am definitely going to be using Shakespeare's Henry V, Part

Comments

[sartorias]

There is a good (as in well done, though the format is awful) translation of Grimmelshausen's SIMPLICIUS SIMPLICISSIMUS, a peasant's eye view of the Thirty Years' War by a guy who was in it. Funny and horrific by turns, it shows an entire culture hit by PTSD, as well as individuals. (Bonus bits, the etiquette of picking lice off your mistress.)

[rachelmanija]

Thank you! I will check Project Gutenberg.

[sartorias]

Another good one is Le Morte d'Arthur. You can tell that Malory knew what he was talking about re battle and its effects. (THough there is evidence he was a rotter, hey, you aren't researching the moral worth of your subjects.)_

[rachelmanija]

Thanks! Moral worth of subjects is totally irrelevant. Though we did have some class discussion of "Can sociopaths get PTSD?" Apparently, yes.

[tithenai]

Hmm, Beowulf?

[dunmurderin]

http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/berserke.shtml -- there's a mention of Beowulf in this article about berzerkers by the Viking Answer Lady.

[rushthatspeaks]

Cú Chulainn! The Thomas Kinsella translation of the Táin Bó Cúailnge gives you some fascinating descriptions of 'warp spasm'.

[lnhammer]

From Iceland, Egil's Saga and, especially, Eyrbyggja Saga. Plus possibly Skarphedin in Njal's Saga.

ETA: Oh, and the Neibelungenlied, the medieval German epic version of the Volsung Saga -- particularly for Gudrun after Siegfried's slaying.

---L.