Circle of Love and Sex – Part Three

Part 1 (summary)

The Ancient Greeks (1300 – 27BC) honoured their women, allowing them the freedom to do whatever they pleased; the Ancient Romans (27BC – 385AD) lived a life of unbridled passion and debauchery; and the Christians, in the Dark Ages (385 – 1000AD) introduced guilt into the sexual act.

Part 2 (summary)

Although royalty tried to influence sex towards ‘courtly love’, during the Pre-Renaissance (1000 – 1300AD), the Church put up a valiant fight against it, during the Renaissance (1300 – 1500AD), and the Puritans (1500 – 1700AD) opposed the Church, preferring to value love and sex.

Part 3

The Age of Reason 1700 – 1800AD

Intellectualism became fashionable, feelings were concealed and emotional love began to decline in popularity, during this period, Formal behaviour became heavily emphasised. Even the most private conversations were controlled by a detached expression of self control. Women were no longer conceived as evil but were still subservient and usually considered as ornaments. The 18th century idea of the perfect lover was Don Juan, who displayed mannerisms of elegance, but also seduction.

Victorianism 1800 – 1900AD

Love became a noble goal in this period, and men became shy and afraid of rejection, choosing bashful virginal women. Displays of melancholy were the height of fashion. High morals led to high expectations on women, which included being modest, virtuous and morally spotless. Doctors declared that the only women that felt pleasure during sex were prostitutes. However, when capitalism began to rise, and the power of the church declined, women began to enjoy rights they had never known.

Early Twentieth Century  1900 – 1930AD

Romance emerged as not only desirable but the only acceptable way to choose a life partner. Sex and romance were now believed to be possible in marriage. Feminism emerged with icons such as Isadora Duncan and Margaret Sanger. They claimed that women should enjoy sex and motherhood does not require marriage. Sex and social values were separated; the Sexual Revolution promoted a woman’s right to orgasm.

Mid Twentieth Century 1930 – 1980AD

The emergence of dating signalled a whole new era in sexual and marital choice. Premarital relationships became open and intimate, and the shy and weak female persona was disposed of. Partners came to know each other much more deeply before making the commitment to marriage. As sexual freedom advanced, society moved closer to a return of the ideals held by the Romans, which were held before the intrusion of Christianity; women were granted economic and legal freedom, children became a luxury and sexual enjoyment became a human right. The major difference between the two eras however, was that the 20th century saw a major increase in the consideration of marriage.

Circle of Love and Sex – Part 1

Circle of Love and Sex – Part 2

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