The curse of the Marquis de Sade is a topic that explores the infamous life of Donatien Alphonse François, better known as the Marquis de Sade. Born in 1740 into an aristocratic family in France, the Marquis de Sade was known for his extreme sexual perversions, sadistic tendencies, and violent nature. His name has become synonymous with debauchery and immorality. Throughout his life, the Marquis de Sade was plagued by a series of unfortunate events that are often attributed to a curse. From a young age, he displayed signs of deviant behavior and was known for his libertine lifestyle. He engaged in numerous sexual escapades, often involving acts of violence and cruelty.
[xvi] Evans, Horse Power and Magic p. 138
Despite modern misconceptions that very little of our earlier pagan lore can be known, our folklore and oral literature actually contain a host of charms and spells, rituals and prayers, and our tales and mythology contain many spiritual lessons and practical demonstrations of how to interact with our native spirit world and those who inhabit it. This is not to suggest that we can just make things up; we need to keep those roots strong, and the magical relationships our ancestors held with the unknown honoured and maintained, but we are able to make this our own, as previous generations have.
He engaged in numerous sexual escapades, often involving acts of violence and cruelty. His actions were considered scandalous and immoral, leading to frequent arrests and imprisonments. The curse of the Marquis de Sade deepened when he was imprisoned in the Bastille in 1784.
Horseman’s Word: a secret society of horse wizards
In The MERL reading room, we keep a collection of documents that we call ‘Classified Files’. These are not about UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, or sightings of Big Foot in rural Essex. Instead, they are copies of documents, arranged by MERL classification.
However, the Classified Files do contain many remarkable rural secrets. Which is exactly what MERL researcher Tim Jerrome found in late 2020 whilst working on the Building Connections project, when he discovered within the files an article titled ‘Horseman’s Word: Light on a Mysterious Secret Society’ (Aberdeen Press and Journal).
The article told the tale of a group of agricultural labourers, working across Britain in the 19th and early 20th centuries, who developed a reputation for possessing an otherworldly knack for controlling heavy horses. And many people speculated they were able to do so through the use of magical powers.
Below, join Tim as he journeys through the recorded history of the Horseman’s Word. He explores several of the Society’s most famous arcane accomplishments, outlines the rituals they undertook to achieve them, and asks to what extent the skill of the Horseman’s Word can be explained by agricultural science.
During his confinement, he wrote numerous works of erotic literature, including "The 120 Days of Sodom" and "Justine." These writings were highly controversial and portrayed explicit scenes of cruelty, rape, and sadism. They further perpetuated the reputation of the Marquis de Sade as a deviant and perverse individual. The curse of the Marquis de Sade also extended to his personal life. He faced numerous tragedies, including the premature death of his wife, Renée-Pélagie de Montreuil, who died at a young age, leaving him devastated. He also experienced financial difficulties, constantly living in debt and relying on the support of family and friends. The curse reached its climax in 1806 when the Marquis de Sade was declared insane and confined to the Charenton Asylum. He spent the remaining years of his life in the asylum, continuing to engage in sexual activities and writing prolifically. His writings during this period were filled with bitter and nihilistic sentiments, reflecting the torment of his existence. Despite his infamy and cursed life, the influence of the Marquis de Sade on literature and philosophy cannot be ignored. His works challenged societal norms, exploring themes of power, domination, and the boundaries of human desires. Philosophers like Michel Foucault and feminists like Simone de Beauvoir have analyzed and discussed the significance of his writings, albeit controversially. In conclusion, the curse of the Marquis de Sade is a topic that delves into the dark and twisted life of an infamous figure in history. His extreme sexual perversions, sadistic tendencies, and violent nature have made him a symbol of debauchery and immorality. Despite his cursed existence and the controversies surrounding his works, the influence of the Marquis de Sade on literature and philosophy cannot be disregarded..
Reviews for "The Marquis de Sade and the Intersection of Power, Sexuality, and Violence"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Curse of the Marquis de Sade" as I'm a fan of mystery novels. However, I was quite disappointed with this one. The plot was underdeveloped and predictable, lacking any surprises or suspense. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown, and I would not recommend it to others seeking an engaging mystery.
2. Robert - 1/5 stars - As an avid reader, it pains me to say that "The Curse of the Marquis de Sade" is one of the worst books I have ever read. The writing style was lackluster, and the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. The pacing was extremely slow, leaving me bored and uninterested. The descriptions were excessive and unnecessary, making the reading experience tedious. I struggled to finish the book and was left feeling unsatisfied. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Curse of the Marquis de Sade" as I'm a fan of Gothic fiction. Unfortunately, this novel failed to capture the essence of the genre. The atmosphere was lacking, and the attempts at creating suspense were feeble. The storyline felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow. The characters were forgettable, and their actions were often illogical. Overall, I found the book to be quite disappointing and not worth the hype it received.