Lecture 06: Pornography

Lecture 06: Pornography

Pietro Aretino’s Ragionamenti + Sonnetti lussuriosi

starting point for modern porn; brought together graphic depiction of sexual activity, the discussion of the behaviour of prostitutes, challenge to conventional morality/taboos, anti-clerical focus

John Cleland’s Fanny Hill

best-selling pornographic novel of all time

Marquis de Sade

explores rape, sodomy, tribidism, murder, incest, + pedophilia in an attempt to overturn all forms of sexual morality + family; paved the way for modern apolitical porn

St-Augustine

likened brothels to sewers; prostitutes were an acceptable outlet for male sexual energy

courtesans

accused of seducing the vulnerable married man

independent prostitutes

associated fear of venereal disease

William Hogarth

painter of a series of paintings depicting the “fallen woman” narrative of a beautiful woman becoming a prostitute and dying of venereal disease

Lock Hospital, Foundling Hospital, Magdalen Hospital for Penitent Prostitutes

Londong institutions for rehabilitation of prostitutes