Erotic Medievalisms: Medieval Pleasures Empowering Marginalized People
By Elan Justice Pavlinich
Routledge
ISBN: 978-1-032-23205-8
Ideas about sexuality and the erotic come in many, many ways, and it is not surprising that people are inspired by the medieval past when it comes to sex. This book focuses on women, people of colour and LGBTQ+ who incorporate medievalism into their sexual practices. Three case studies are prominent here, namely:
Lil Nas X’s music video for MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
The graphic novel Beowulf, by Santiago García and David Rubin
Patience Agbabi’s retelling of The Miller’sTale from The Canterbury Tales
Excerpt:
Erotic Medievalisms is about modern texts that reference the Middle Ages to represent radical, nontraditional sex acts enjoyed by people who are typically excluded from both popular culture and medieval narratives. These subversive texts challenge persuasive power structures that privilege heterosexual male dominance, a social structure commonly justified with feeble claims to an “authentic” medieval history. Modern Western assumptions about “normal” sexualities are rooted in the very same narratives about the medieval past. And so, these prevailing assumptions privilege not only heterosexual practices, but specifically straight men’s sexual gratifications, as natural, historically legitimate, and thus socially acceptable – implying everything else is deviant.
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Who is this book for?
The overriding factor on whether or not you want to read this book will probably be how comfortable you are with ‘kinky’ sex. It does, however, cover topics that should be explored – medievalism can be found in sex, and this applies to marginalized groups too. For example, those into BDSM will have a certain view of ‘dungeons,’ and that view is inspired somewhat by the Middle Ages.
The author:
Elan Justice Pavlinich is an Assistant Professor of English at Wabash College where he teaches medieval and early modern literature and medievalism. Click here to view his personal site. We asked Elan why he wrote this book:
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I focus on the intersections of sexualities and modern representations of the Middle Ages as a form of activism for a number of reasons. First, I’m simply observing phenomena in popular culture: artists and activists are employing medieval themes to assert their sexualities despite increasing threats to representation, such as the recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws sweeping the nation, particularly in states such as Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana. Then, I have a few personal reasons. I want to disrupt those tired notions that medieval studies are stodgy—I’m still encountering eye rolling followed by, “ugh, medieval . . . that’s sooo not sexy.” Medieval studies are sexy, especially when we excavate inclusive narratives that complicate problematic assumptions about the Middle Ages that continue to impose upon modern social practices. Medievalists have a unique opportunity to build bridges that connect modern audiences to the vital relevance of the past, particularly as it relates to matters of social justice. Sexuality is a powerful source of energy for invigorating those of us who have been sapped by the isolation of COVID and the continuous erosion of human rights. I found myself closed off from any meaningful connections due in part to the global pandemic, but also a general anxiety about the state of the world. I employed my research to connect me to people who are doing good, uplifting work—entwining the medieval with the modern with an erotic charge that is aimed at activism. Despite the social boundaries, including time and place, we forged intimacy through sharing the same creative energies, in a way reminiscent of those described in the Old English lines of The Order of the World, weaving between past and present while speaking a more hopeful future into existence. Participating in this practice, I hope my book is informative and fun, despite being more than a little flirtatious. What can I say. I’m a queer Aries with a rising Taurus moon.
Erotic Medievalisms: Medieval Pleasures Empowering Marginalized People
By Elan Justice Pavlinich
Routledge
ISBN: 978-1-032-23205-8
Ideas about sexuality and the erotic come in many, many ways, and it is not surprising that people are inspired by the medieval past when it comes to sex. This book focuses on women, people of colour and LGBTQ+ who incorporate medievalism into their sexual practices. Three case studies are prominent here, namely:
Lil Nas X’s music video for MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)
The graphic novel Beowulf, by Santiago García and David Rubin
Patience Agbabi’s retelling of The Miller’s Tale from The Canterbury Tales
Excerpt:
Erotic Medievalisms is about modern texts that reference the Middle Ages to represent radical, nontraditional sex acts enjoyed by people who are typically excluded from both popular culture and medieval narratives. These subversive texts challenge persuasive power structures that privilege heterosexual male dominance, a social structure commonly justified with feeble claims to an “authentic” medieval history. Modern Western assumptions about “normal” sexualities are rooted in the very same narratives about the medieval past. And so, these prevailing assumptions privilege not only heterosexual practices, but specifically straight men’s sexual gratifications, as natural, historically legitimate, and thus socially acceptable – implying everything else is deviant.
Who is this book for?
The overriding factor on whether or not you want to read this book will probably be how comfortable you are with ‘kinky’ sex. It does, however, cover topics that should be explored – medievalism can be found in sex, and this applies to marginalized groups too. For example, those into BDSM will have a certain view of ‘dungeons,’ and that view is inspired somewhat by the Middle Ages.
The author:
Elan Justice Pavlinich is an Assistant Professor of English at Wabash College where he teaches medieval and early modern literature and medievalism. Click here to view his personal site. We asked Elan why he wrote this book:
I focus on the intersections of sexualities and modern representations of the Middle Ages as a form of activism for a number of reasons. First, I’m simply observing phenomena in popular culture: artists and activists are employing medieval themes to assert their sexualities despite increasing threats to representation, such as the recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws sweeping the nation, particularly in states such as Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana. Then, I have a few personal reasons. I want to disrupt those tired notions that medieval studies are stodgy—I’m still encountering eye rolling followed by, “ugh, medieval . . . that’s sooo not sexy.” Medieval studies are sexy, especially when we excavate inclusive narratives that complicate problematic assumptions about the Middle Ages that continue to impose upon modern social practices. Medievalists have a unique opportunity to build bridges that connect modern audiences to the vital relevance of the past, particularly as it relates to matters of social justice. Sexuality is a powerful source of energy for invigorating those of us who have been sapped by the isolation of COVID and the continuous erosion of human rights. I found myself closed off from any meaningful connections due in part to the global pandemic, but also a general anxiety about the state of the world. I employed my research to connect me to people who are doing good, uplifting work—entwining the medieval with the modern with an erotic charge that is aimed at activism. Despite the social boundaries, including time and place, we forged intimacy through sharing the same creative energies, in a way reminiscent of those described in the Old English lines of The Order of the World, weaving between past and present while speaking a more hopeful future into existence. Participating in this practice, I hope my book is informative and fun, despite being more than a little flirtatious. What can I say. I’m a queer Aries with a rising Taurus moon.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website
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