Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Medieval Sex Myths
Jan 3, 2025
Join Professor Ruth Karras, an expert on medieval sexuality and author of 'Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing Unto Others,' as she unpacks the fascinating myths and realities of sex in the Middle Ages. Discover why people believed women were more sexual than men, the surprising aphrodisiacs of the time, and the misunderstandings surrounding STIs. Karras also explores the complex relationship between laundry work and lust, highlighting how independent women navigated societal norms in a male-dominated world.
46:04
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast reveals that medieval views on women as more highly sexed than men were deeply influenced by historical stereotypes and philosophical beliefs.
- The discussion highlights the complex societal interplay between religious views and sexual morality within marriage, where pleasure was often scrutinized against reproductive purposes.
Deep dives
The Complex Legacy of Eve and the Representation of Women
The narrative of Eve's choice to eat the forbidden fruit is analyzed as a pivotal moment with lasting consequences, particularly on women's representation throughout history. It is established that this act led to a societal perception of women as weak-willed and easily led, a notion that took hold particularly during the medieval period. The guilt and blame associated with Eve's actions became a cornerstone for viewing women as sinful, leading to the marginalization of female perspectives in discussions about morality and sex. This theme of women being blamed for broader moral failings is further explored, illustrating the deep-rooted challenges women faced in societal contexts.
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