Reminiscing the History of the Courtesan

A thought-provoking article from 'George Magazine' has brought into light some significant pieces of the history of the courtesan. Known as beautiful mediators of aptitude and intimacy, such women have an essential footprint on history. Courtesans have shaped countries over the years, while utilizing sexual aptitude and politics to manipulate men in power and land high-ranking positions in the society. Perhaps one of the most renowned courtesans during the Renaissance period was Victoria Franco of Venice, who fascinated men with her poetical and sexual capacity. About 400 years after, the likes of Clare Boothe Luce and Pamela Harriman have been the epitome of the modern courtesan character by placing themselves in powerful positions through their connections with influential men. It is still yet to be determined who will take over their throne in the 21st century. A courtesan in Italy during the Renaissance period utilized her intellect and physical prowess to relish the benefits acquired from marriage: property ownership, financial stability and companionship, sans the airless social constrictions. She substituted the wife in the social scene as well, as decent married women were imprisoned in their dwellings.

The courtesans in the past were renowned companions of distinguished and rich gentlemen. They also wrote poems and shaped the course of politics, often relaying political communications in between their sexual engagements. Indeed, the pinnacle of the courtesans was during the classical age of Greece, they have indisputably been in every era - from the Renaissance period in Italy up to the Japan’s 18th century. Up to this day, it is not confirmed where the term rooted from but according to Margaret Rosenthal (who wrote "The Honest Courtesan: The Life of Veronica Franco."), it is most likely linked to the word "courtier" which is a connotation for "of the court”. Franco is considered the most famous courtesan of her era. 

You might wonder - how did Italian courtesans spend their daily living? They were responsible for supervising the servants and doing shopping just like decent women would. And it’s not surprising to know that there did not exist a bond between courtesans and other women. For fellow courtesans, they treat each other as rivals as they compete for the prime patrons. As for the noble women, you can’t expect them to befriend the courtesans, either, because for all they know, they might just be sharing the same bed with their husbands. Nighttime is when the courtesans are busiest. According to the book “Novelle” which was written in the 16th century by Mateo Bandello, elite courtesans have sexual engagements with up to six or seven men - each of which she entertains for every night of the week, and from whom she receives a monthly remuneration. Just imagine how difficult it was to manage her schedule back then without modern technologies like the use of cellular phones or even simple planners! A way of expressing their gratitude to their loyal patrons would include mentioning them in their poetic works and publishing books in their honor. These literary skills and business acumen have been known to be passed on to courtesans from generations to generations like a mentorship culture. Franco, in particular, was noted to be essentially helpful to other courtesans in her time, as Rosenthal shared.

More of the History of the Courtesan and their Influence on the Medieval Society

Among the advantages of being a courtesan in the past also included learning opportunities. Similar women who enjoyed the same privilege were only those staying in convents. As Rosenthal have delved deeper into the history of the courtesan, she also shared that “being a courtesan allowed them to live more cultured lives” as they were expected to be socially adept and an excellent conversant to keep up with their patrons’ business engagements. In contrast, as shared by Elizabeth Sabato Swinton, courtesans during the 18th century of Japan were only considered as “arm candy”, which means they were only supposed to be witty and attractive. Swinton has worked at Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts as an Asian art curator. “Politics is definitely not for them, and people do not have respect for them, either. The last thing parents would want for their daughters is for them to be courtesans,” added Swinton. The courting process was also very ritualized. A gentleman should have a huge amount of money just to have the opportunity to be even introduced, and there’s even a ceremonial take on how they should eat and drink before they can engage in any sexual act. “There are rules in place to be able to be in the company of a courtesan. Everything is very formal and strict,” added Swinton. “If all you have is riches; it still won’t be an assurance for sexual intimacy.”

Not only have courtesans influenced men by means of sexual favors, they also shaped the fashion scene in a considerable manner. During the Edo period in Japan (between 1600s to 1800s), courtesans ruled in wherever you can find what they call a Kabuki theater. Courtesans would line up in a parade where they would have an entourage as they walked down the streets, donning silk robes with detailed, lavish embroideries, with their huge hairstyles and heavy makeup on their faces which highlighted their mouths and their eyes. Moreover, the Venetian government made them do cross-dressing (as it was also one of their skills) to attract homosexuals and convert them to real men. They have considered homosexuality as unlawful and anyone caught could be punished by death (men could suffer beheading and burning of their bodies). Thus, courtesans were waged by the government to convert homosexuals back then. They were instructed to stand without wearing a top on the Ponte Della Tette, or what is still known today as Bridge of Tits, to lure and “cure” alleged homosexual men. The Classical Greece was no different as it also had its share of homosexuality on its history. “Hetaeras” or what Greek courtesans were called, also played games of masking their true identity, similar to what the Italian courtesans did. They also wanted to avoid taxation. As James Davidson (who wrote "Fishcakes and Courtesans”) put it, “a courtesan is someone in between a noble wife and a regular prostitute”. Hetaeras would also be commonly invited to any great parties wherein they would turn flamboyant conversations into an obscene atmosphere. Davidson further accounts how courtesans were made inspirations for sex guidebooks. Moreover, it was said that the most renowned courtesan of prehistoric Greece was named Phryne, whom Venus’s sculpture was believed to be modeled after. As with other courtesans of her time, she frequents the court by being involved in troubles. Among the most prominent trials in medieval Greece was the trial of Phryne where she was accused of making false gods known. She had a boyfriend at the time, whose name was Hyperides, who, after observing she won’t probably win the case, reached for her breasts and showed them, which left the jury members in awe. The result – Phryne was acquitted thereafter. It was also noted how Phryne gained exceptional wealth due to her linkages with influential men. There came a time when the city of Thebes was destroyed by Macedonia, and she presented them an offer that she will cover the expenses for rebuilding the wall of the city. 

The Courtesan’s Life Was Not Always Desirable, as the History Accounts

As they say, life is like a wheel - and yes, there are times when the life of a courtesan could turn upside down. Their powerful patrons could very well give them the luxuries and security they need, but only until the romance lasts. Once it ends, the vengeance could be too dreadful to bear. Rebuffed men had the tendency to mutilate their courtesans or mock them in poetical form. Franco was alleged to be casting enchantments on her patrons, and one of her ex-lovers named Maffio Vener persistently scorned her in his writings, one of which particularly ridiculed how low-lying her breasts are. He also labelled her as a “true unique whore”, which is translated as Ver Unica Putana in Italian. Also, should a courtesan acquire syphilis, she would also most likely be condemned. There was a book written about how a courtesan was thrown into the cart due to contracting such disease. But worst of all, a courtesan could be given a chastisement called the “31” wherein she would be directed to an isolated area to be sexually abused by 31 lower class gentlemen.  There also existed a punishment known as "Royal 31" which translates to having 81 men, instead.

A Look at the 20th Century Courtesan Style

The 20th century has seen two powerful women who redefined the courtesan culture:  Pamela Harriman and Clare Boothe Luce. Both had no formal education whatsoever, nor did they have any good relationships with other women of their time.  But both have had robust influence on business and politics, not to mention their fiery sexual prowess. They just differ with how they entice their men. Harriman’s biographer whose name we know as Christopher Ogden, describes her strategy as being the most thoughtful so much so that he refers to her as the greatest nanny. “She was the kind of woman who looks after her men’s needs in all angles - from their food, drinks, and even the books they read. She was married Randolph Churchill at age 19, and that was also when she started to be trained as a courtesan. What made her a champ of her art is her being linked to the quantity and category of men she got involved with, and the aptitude and expertise she has honed and brought to every engagement. To gain the political supremacy  she always sought, she only focused on men who could help her make it possible. Asked about Harriman’s sexual abilities, Ogden scoffed saying she was not her type of woman, and she was not that enticing in his eyes so he concludes he might just not enjoy having her as a date. Luce on the other hand, as biographer Sylvia Jukes Morris put it, is far from Pamela. She obviously was not interested to provide her services like Pamela did and had higher goals for herself. Luce only get advantage of men until such time that she gets what she wants from them, then she will leave them right after. And this could be accounted to her life experience - Luce was born to a poor family and was an illegitimate kid. At age 19, she chose to marry George Brokaw (a millionaire). Brokaw died when she was 26, leaving her an inheritance of no less than a mansion in New York and all his wealth. Moreover, she regained her liberty. 

Modern-day Contenders to Early Courtesans’ Legacy

 

While some would say that there is no more need to act like how early courtesans did, other women still believe that the most convenient way to power is through connections with men. Various names being heard include Katrina vanden Heuvel, Cristyne Lategano ,Georgette Mossbacher, among others. There’s also political analyst Arianna Huffington - who is most likely the most promising. Intelligent, high-spirited, beautiful - all superb characteristics of a classic courtesan. However, she doesn’t have multiple men linked to her as she had only been associated with ex-husband Michael Huffington. There’s one woman, though who journalists refer to as having it all - Patricia Duff. She has been known to many as a “man magnet”, “an enchantress”, and “exquisite”. And this woman had been well-educated, having a degree in International Relations. The author of the book "Great Dames: What I Learned From Older Women” - Marie Brenner, thinks “courtesans of the modern age did not put their sexuality to waste - they choose to sleep with men of power instead of being connected with some random lower-class men. The courtesan flair is indeed making a comeback.