Loneliness is a modern illness of the body, not just the mind (The Guardian). "...solitude (when not chosen) could be damaging, just as loneliness is today." Seems to me the key is in the parentheses; I'm lonelier when I'm with people than I am when I'm alone.
The word "loneliness" did not exist before 1800?!?!
ReplyDeleteThat does not have to mean the condition did not exist--
but, perhaps "solitude" was hard to find (except, maybe, monks--who were also
interrupted).