Spleen is not just a name. It means

something, not only literally. The ancient Greeks believed the human

temperament, was defined by 4 bodily humours. Each humour was

determined by a kind (or colour) of bile (NL gal). There was yellow bile,

phlegm, blood and black bile. The latter was the cause of Melancholy, if there

was a great amount of it in one's spleen (NL milt). Melancholy was then

considered as a negative kind of aspect in a character, but through the years

it has been given a rather slightly different connotation. It was known as a

feeling of peaceful quietness, dreaming and wondering about everything in

life. It is a symbol for autumn, the earth, artists, poetry, escaping from

reality, daydreaming, etc... But it remains a certain pessimistic concept, in

the meaning of a sad look at the world, an unattainable desire, an aversion

of activity, etc... So another name for Melancholy, what Spleen considers

himself to be devoted to, is Spleen.