The Differences Between Melancholy and Nostalgia

  Have you ever heard the word saudade? The Portuguese writer, Francisco Manuel de Melo (1608-1666) defined it as “a pleasure you suffer, an ailment you enjoy”. This Portuguese concept, although it doesn’t have a literal translation, would have two comparable words in English: melancholy and nostalgia. However, what differences are there between melancholy and nostalgia? Can we even claim that they’re not one and the same? “No nostalgia is felt as keenly as the nostalgia for things that never existed.” -Rabih Alameddine- Melancholy and nostalgia: two intense emotions Emotions are part of life. They act as your guide when…