Here's a breakdown of the nuances:
* Prosperity: This aspect of felicity was prominent, referring to material wealth, abundance, and comfortable living.
* Good Fortune: Felicity was associated with favorable circumstances, lucky breaks, and divine favor.
* Success: This included achieving goals, excelling in one's endeavors, and rising to positions of power and influence.
* Happiness: While present, happiness was not the sole focus, rather a consequence of the aforementioned elements.
Think of it as a more "complete" version of happiness that included the external factors of success and fortune alongside personal contentment.
Here are some examples of how felicity was used in archaic contexts:
* "He was a man of great felicity, blessed with both wealth and wisdom." (Emphasizing prosperity and wisdom)
* "The city enjoyed a period of unprecedented felicity under the new king's reign." (High success and good fortune for the city)
* "Her life was a tapestry of joy and felicity, filled with love, laughter, and prosperity." (Combining happiness and external factors)
The modern definition of felicity focuses more on emotional well-being and subjective happiness, while the archaic sense held a broader scope encompassing success, fortune, and prosperity in addition to inner joy.