Yesterday's fop
Posted on 05 Feb 2007 05:48 am
... is today's metrosexual. I was so glad to discover that!
In the 18th century, fops were men who overdressed, behaved with overly sophisticated manners, acted in an often effeminate way, and spent most of their time conversing with women on issues not typically of concern to men of the day. Many students of history assumed they were homosexual. Sometimes, but usually not, and what's important is that they weren't considered to be gay at a time when sodomy laws could get you executed.
Thinking this as I watched Prince at the Super Bowl last night. I've recently had students tell me they think so much has changed since the 17th and 18th centuries, when men had to dress extravagantly to capture female attention. (This because demographically there were more women than men in the population, thus men had to visually appeal to women in order to compete for mates.) I was thinking, "I should show them some examples from the 1970s, when men wore Afro's, disco suits, platform shoes, shiny jewelry".
Then there was Prince, in his high heels, vaguely 18th-century cut jacket, and head scarf.
I also found a film clip on YouTube that shows the typical 18th century fop, from The Scarlet Pimpernel.
In the 18th century, fops were men who overdressed, behaved with overly sophisticated manners, acted in an often effeminate way, and spent most of their time conversing with women on issues not typically of concern to men of the day. Many students of history assumed they were homosexual. Sometimes, but usually not, and what's important is that they weren't considered to be gay at a time when sodomy laws could get you executed.Thinking this as I watched Prince at the Super Bowl last night. I've recently had students tell me they think so much has changed since the 17th and 18th centuries, when men had to dress extravagantly to capture female attention. (This because demographically there were more women than men in the population, thus men had to visually appeal to women in order to compete for mates.) I was thinking, "I should show them some examples from the 1970s, when men wore Afro's, disco suits, platform shoes, shiny jewelry".
Then there was Prince, in his high heels, vaguely 18th-century cut jacket, and head scarf.
I also found a film clip on YouTube that shows the typical 18th century fop, from The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Author: llane
Category: Sex and History
Sex and Marriage -- connections to Victorianism
Posted on 09 Jan 2007 10:53 pm
In a recent review in Atlantic Monthly, Christina Nehring criticizes the premise of Esther Perel's book "Mating in Captivity". Although she agrees with Perel's basic premise that everyday life kills eroticism, her suggestion opposes Perel's view that sex must be further worked on between couples. Rather, Nehring claims it is time to remystify rather than demystify sex, to make it more mysterious.
I find this interesting because in one of my favorite books, When Passion Reigned: Sex and the Victorians (Patricia Anderson 1996), it is argued that this is exactly what the Victorians were doing. All the nonsense about strict sexual morality and covering up table limbs and such was an intentionally mystifying veneer, not a cover-up for the fringe activities of Victorian brothels.
So I suppose the call is to reVictorianize sexuality.
I find this interesting because in one of my favorite books, When Passion Reigned: Sex and the Victorians (Patricia Anderson 1996), it is argued that this is exactly what the Victorians were doing. All the nonsense about strict sexual morality and covering up table limbs and such was an intentionally mystifying veneer, not a cover-up for the fringe activities of Victorian brothels.
So I suppose the call is to reVictorianize sexuality.
Author: llane
Category: Sex and History
I'm a historian, teaching history at MiraCosta College in southern California. No one has ever asked me to write a blog.
