Men and Women

The position of men and women in relation to sex and love has fluctuated. The mythology of Ancient Egypt was based on equilibrium between two forces, such as day and night, or men and women. With such equality, sexual love was viewed positively for both genders.

As sex was seen as a mirroring of the sexual acts of the Gods, there had to be one or more female god, yet she was removed and denied existence, initiating the sexual suppression of women.

The words of the Book of Genesis negatively impacted on women, with their role as life-giver no longer celebrated. Instead, they were condemned as the cause of evil.

Men dominated during the Iron Age, with sexual relations characterised by masculine power. Christians regarded the world as belonging to men, with females inferior; the property of males. Intriguingly, it was the influence of Islam, concealing and yet honouring women, which improved European attitudes.

In the 15th century, the untamed sexual desires of women were blamed for the appearance of syphilis. In 1495, a German prostitute was savagely whipped and her fingers were chopped off as punishment for her lustful activities.

While the church continued to reinforce the sinful stereotype of Eve, Elena emerged to threaten these ideals. With the realisation that sex and power were intertwined, Elena had a love affair that led to her marrying the King of England. She strived to achieve a status beyond equality for women; desirable and yet slightly out of reach. Noble men still undertook violent physical contact with other men, and yet their objective changed. They now fought in order to win a lady’s heart.