The Role of the Courtesan in Classic European Society
The Role of the Courtesan in Classic European Society
(18th and 19th Century)
May 26, 2010
Throughout history kings, emperors, and other aristocracy have always had their mistresses, concubines, and maybe even multiple wives, but the late 17th century and the 18th and 19th centuries to the beginning of the 20th century, was the age of the courtesan. A courtesan is defined as a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for payment; a lady of easy virtue. (2003. In Roget & apos;s II The New Thesaurus.) Throughout history their main association has been as the companions of royalty or an individual in high standing in a royal court. They were often very well educated, well versed and very well dressed women, and because of their position at court wielded social as well as political power. Some did this better than others, which could either lead to great success and a lifetime of being taken care of or contribute to their and their benefactors downfall. Often times these ladies were born into poverty with no education or manners, and they have to be taught all of the tools necessary for a life at court. The common households of the time depended on the labor of both, the woman and the children, to support the family. There were very few jobs available for women aside from charwoman, taking in laundry, chambermaid, seamstress, and weavers. However, this still was usually not enough to live on whether they were single or had families to care for, so they often had to turn to part time prostitution. A woman who did this was called a grisette. As defined by Webster’s dictionary a grisette is: ‘A young French working class woman…..A young woman combining part-time prostitution with another occupation.’((2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.Retrieved April 24, 2010). Many of them worked in the Paris garment district and they were called grisettes for the drab gray muslin material that their dresses were made from. At an early age they walked
(18th and 19th Century)
May 26, 2010
Throughout history kings, emperors, and other aristocracy have always had their mistresses, concubines, and maybe even multiple wives, but the late 17th century and the 18th and 19th centuries to the beginning of the 20th century, was the age of the courtesan. A courtesan is defined as a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for payment; a lady of easy virtue. (2003. In Roget & apos;s II The New Thesaurus.) Throughout history their main association has been as the companions of royalty or an individual in high standing in a royal court. They were often very well educated, well versed and very well dressed women, and because of their position at court wielded social as well as political power. Some did this better than others, which could either lead to great success and a lifetime of being taken care of or contribute to their and their benefactors downfall. Often times these ladies were born into poverty with no education or manners, and they have to be taught all of the tools necessary for a life at court. The common households of the time depended on the labor of both, the woman and the children, to support the family. There were very few jobs available for women aside from charwoman, taking in laundry, chambermaid, seamstress, and weavers. However, this still was usually not enough to live on whether they were single or had families to care for, so they often had to turn to part time prostitution. A woman who did this was called a grisette. As defined by Webster’s dictionary a grisette is: ‘A young French working class woman…..A young woman combining part-time prostitution with another occupation.’((2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.Retrieved April 24, 2010). Many of them worked in the Paris garment district and they were called grisettes for the drab gray muslin material that their dresses were made from. At an early age they walked
References: Courtesan. (2003). In Roget's II The New Thesaurus. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/hmrogets/courtesan Griffin, Susan (2001). The Book of the Courtesans: a Catalogue of Their Virtues. New York: Broadway Books. Page 6, 7, Grisette. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.Retrieved April 24, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grisette Cukor, George (Director). (1964). My Fair Lady [Motion Picture]. United States: Warner Brothers. Minnelli,Vencente (Director). (1958). Gigi [Motion Picture]. United States: Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer. Herman, Eleanor. 2004. Sex With Kings: Five Hundred Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge. New York. Harper Collins.