Sodomy in Reformation Germany and Switzerland, 1400-1600 - Brossura

Puff, Helmut

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0226685063 ISBN 13: 9780226685069

Casa editrice: University of Chicago Press, 2003

Riassunto

During the late Middle Ages, a considerable number of men in Germany and Switzerland were executed for committing sodomy. Even in the seventeenth century, simply speaking of the act was cause for censorship. Here, in the first history of sodomy in these countries, Helmut Puff argues that accusations of sodomy during this era were actually crucial to the success of the Protestant Reformation. Drawing on both literary and historical evidence, Puff shows that speakers of German associated sodomy with Italy and, increasingly, Catholicism. As the Reformation gained momentum, the formerly unspeakable crime of sodomy gained a voice, as Martin Luther and others deployed accusations of sodomy to discredit the upper ranks of the Church and to create a sense of community among Protestant believers. During the sixteenth century, reactions against this defamatory rhetoric, and fear that mere mention of sodomy would incite sinful acts, combined to repress even court cases of sodomy.

Written with precision and meticulously researched, this revealing study will interest historians of gender, sexuality, and religion, as well as scholars of medieval and early modern history and culture.

Su questo libro

L'autore:

Helmut Puff is an associate professor of German and history at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is the author ofVon dem schlüssel aller Künsten: Nemblich der Grammatica: Deutsch im lateinischen Grammatikunterricht 1480-1560 and the editor ofLust, Angst und Provokation: Homosexualität in der Gesellschaft.

Product Description:

In the 14th century, a considerable number of men in Germany and Switzerland were executed for committing sodomy. In the 17th century, simply speaking of the act was cause for censorship. Here, in the first ever history of sodomy in these countries, Helmut Puff argues that accusations of sodomy in this era were actually crucial to the success of the Protestant Reformation. Drawing on both literary and historical evidence, Puff shows that speakers of German associated sodomy with Italy and, increasingly, the Catholic Church. As the Reformation gained momentum, the formerly unspeakable crime of sodomy gained a voice, as Martin Luther and others deployed accusations of sodomy to discredit the upper ranks of the Church and to create a sense of community among Protestant believers. During the 16th century, official reactions to this defamatory rhetoric, and fear that mere mention of sodomy would incite sinful acts, resulted in the suppression of court cases from public scrutiny. This eye-opening study should interest historians of gender, sexuality and religion, as well as scholars of mediaeval and early modern history and culture.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: University of Chicago Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0226685063
• ISBN 13: 9780226685069
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Numero di pagine: 322