Masturbation in Medieval Times
The history of human masturbation extends back into prehistory. Evidence of this can be seen on Prehistoric petroglyphs and rock paintings in areas throughout the world. "A clay figurine of the 4th millennium Before Current Era [i.e., B.C.], from a temple site called Hagar Qim on the island of Malta, depicts a woman masturbating. However, in the ancient world depictions of male masturbation are far more common."(McFarland B.) For example, from the inventors of the first written Western language, the Sumerians, we find references " ... To the Mesopotamian god Enki masturbating, his ejaculation filling the Tigris River with flowing water." (McFarland B.) Until the middle ages sexual activity was generally seen as natural and a normal part of healthy human development.
The attitudes towards sex and masturbation during medieval times were determined by the Catholic Church, particularly under Pope Gregory IX in the 13th Century. The Church was the main determiner of culture and norms and values during this period. The general view of sex was that it was a "necessary evil" and existed for the primary purpose of reproduction only. Simply put, the general religious attitude was that sex had been introduced to humanity " ... By the devil" and that "Sexual feelings and urges were not fully under the control of the human will ." (Blacksmith E.)
However this view of sex during the Medieval period was in fact much more complex and there were three different approaches to sexual issues in general. One approach centered on the reproductive function of sex and ." established nature and the natural as the criterion of what was licit ... " (Brundage J. 1987) This approach viewed sexual activity, and thoughts as essentially impure and a " ... A source of shame and defilement." (Brundage J. 1987) The third view was less conservative and emphasized sexual relations as an expression of love and conjugal love. Therefore, a more realistic attitude of the medieval attitude to sex was a mixture of views composed of these three stands or views. However, the Catholic Church was a dominant social and cultural force in terms of mores, norms and values in society and the view that sexuality was an "impure" element that should be avoided therefore became the "accepted" view and was enforced by the Church authorities.
The medieval Church was very concerned with sexual issues and the way that sex related to Christian doctrine. In essence the attitude adopted by the Church to sex and particularly masturbation was strict and extremely controlled, with a complex and well -defined code of conduct. The doctrinal view was based on the conviction that "... The sexual act was to be avoided like the plague, except for the bare minimum necessary to keep the race in existence. Even when performed for this purpose it remained a regrettable necessity." (Taylor G.) Even married couple's were encourages to avoid sex as much as possible. This reaction against the pleasure associated with sex can be seen in the invention of the chemise carouse, a " ... sort of heavy nightshirt, with a suitably placed hole, through which a husband could impregnate his wife while avoiding any other contact." (Taylor G.)
In approximately the eighth century very strict rules and a system of morality were developed by the Church which was to have an influence well into the Middle Ages. These rules were contained in various "penitential books" which dealt with sexual mores and restrictions in great detail and with different penalties prescribed for various transgression of this dogmatic view of sexual activity. The code of the penitential books was based on three central propositions. The main proposition was the ideal of complete celibacy and the avoidance of sex. However, while these codes and rules harshly criticized all forms of sexual activity, one of the worst forms of sexuality that was out rightly condemned, was masturbation.
In some penitentials fornication was declared a worse sin than murder....
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" Although a similar situation regarding sexual deviance, sex between males was deemed a far more serious crime than mere masturbation. In fact, many states in the United States still have laws on the books that make sodomy, of any kind, illegal. This demonstrates that the traditions of colonial America and religious beliefs have continued to be passed down to this day, even in fully developed nations. Yet, the case
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