Title: Of sodomites, effeminates, hermaphrodites, and androgynes : sodomy in the age of Peter Damian /
Authors: Olsen, Glenn W. 1938-; Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies
Publisher: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies,
Year: 2011
Subjects: Peter Damian,; Peter Damian,; Pierre Damien,; Catholic Church Clergy Sexual behavior History.; Sex History; Sex role History; Sex Religious aspects Christianity History of doctrines; Sodomy Religious aspects Christianity History of doctrines; Sodomy History; Sodomy Early works to 1800.; Gay men History.; Effeminacy History.; Homosexuality history; Sexual Behavior history; Sexualité Histoire; Rôle selon le sexe Histoire; Sodomie Ouvrages avant 1800.; Sodomie Histoire
Abstract: "This book examines the history of sex and gender from a linguistic, artistic, and philosophical perspective, providing a new paradigm with which to analyze this controversial subject. Glenn Olsen's wide-ranging scholarship and his attention to primary sources and contemporary interpretations are enhanced by the inclusion of numerous illustrations of Romanesque sculpture. Part one takes the reader on a journey from the ancient worlds through the early middle ages, examining literature, art, and sculpture in order to capture the 'sexual imagination' of the period. Olsen emphasizes that all centuries had a varied languages of sex, focusing on the means by which "sex" was put into words, especially in penitentials and canon law. He shows there was no single understanding of gender and power relationships, arguing that the story of gender should encompass more than the history of power. Part two turns to Peter Damian, especially his Epistle 31, the so-called Book of Gomorrah. Olsen explores the themes of nature, sin and demonic incitement, lust, free will and effeminacy, as well as the question of whether Damian represented the onset of the persecuting society'"--Publisher's website.
Contents: Introduction. Problems and definitions. Naming sodomy -- Gender and power -- Terms of endearment -- The sexual subject -- Peter Damian. Peter Damian's letter 31 and eleventh-century reform -- Sodomy in Damian's letter 31 -- Nature and sins against nature in Damian's letter 31 -- Luxuria, the devil's work -- 'The devil, you say': lust, free will, and effeminacy in Damian's letter 31.