Typically, the HERMIT is unarmed.

Even when equipped with GEAR, (wands, poultices, idols, etc.,) these do not function as melee weapons, leaving the HERMIT vulnerable.  

Though it is not always the case, many enemies have the ability to return you to your last RESPAWN POINT when they attack, unless you have the COSH OF SELF-HATRED equipped.  The COSH prevents RESPAWN and so you instead continue to accrue damage to your SANITY from sustained enemy contact.

Enemies will seek out and harass you in unfair numbers, and while you may at times be able to keep running and displace them as you plow through a group, other foes may stop you in your tracks and deliver many successive injuries.

A tip is thus: if cornered or otherwise obstructed by an enemy, you can often spam the USE KEY (typically ENTER) and have a chance at pushing foes away, to give yourself some breathing space to navigate an escape.

Failing that or sensing you are well and lethally trapped by foes, you can unequip the COSH OF SELF-HATRED to RESPAWN, usually in a safer location away from direct enemy contact.