Urban Diversions
Okay, cramming for my urban planning midterm tomorrow - basically studying the development of cities from the Egyptians through English colonies in the states like Savannah. But anyway, catching up on the reading regarding the baroque court in France, read what this creepy, perverted author has to say. How insightful. He's colon-happy, but I like the way he defines
occupation.
Privacy, mirrors, heated rooms: these things transformed full-blown lovemaking from a seasonal to a year-round occupation: another example of baroque regularity. In the heated room, the body need not cower under a blanket: visual eretheism added to the effect of tactile stimuli: the pleasure of the naked body, symbolized by Titian and Rubens and Fragonard, was part of that dilation of the senses which accompanied the more generous dietary, the freer use of wine and strong liquors, the more extravagent dresses and perfumes of the period.
Flirtation and courtship created those movements of suspense and uncertainty, of blandishment and withdrawl, that serve as safeguards against satiety: a counterpoise to the regimentation of habit. These lusty men and women were never so much at home as when they were in bed. Ladies received callers in bed; statesmen dictated their correspondence in bed; an undercurrent of erotic interest thus permeated the household, sometimes bawdy, sometimes brutal, sometimes romantic, sometimes tender - every shade from the bedroom of Juliet to that in which Joseph Andrews almost lost his virtue....
In that great tradition, I am now studying in bed.
posted by lmjasinski at 5:47 PM
