Excellent points on Edward's melancholy disposition! However, I STILL think he is generally a melancholy personality, in spite of his problems, as described by Miss Austen. In your careful research into Edward's personality/disposition, you have actually uncovered classic melancholy traits....to wit: Somewhat shy and guarded, hard to get to know immediately, a creative and subtle wit, loyalty (yes, I really believe he is!) under-emotional, and self-effacing/unsure of his self-esteem. I'm a classic melancholy personality so I immediately identify with Edward in that as his situation may change for the better I believe he will always be a little more on the cerebral side than the emotional side. I'm beginning to see glimpses of a potentially beautiful match between Edward and Elinor that I simply failed to detect or believe in my first reading; they may prove to be very-very right for each other.