Courtesan

Courtesans played an important role in those days, as they took the place of wives at social functions because wives were often kept at home to prevent their "contamination" by the culture of the day, or often royal wives and their husbands led very separate lives, and had often married simply to insure the continuing of royal Bloodlines or to ally with another family socially and/or politically. Very often, these marriages in society circles were arranged, and the husbands (if wealthy enough) would choose a courtesan, while the wives would take a discreet lover also, but not for public display.

Courtesans also provided an outlet for restless husbands and helped bring men back to a "healthy" heterosexuality. In more than one occasion, certain courtesans are described as wielding significant influence on the politics and diplomacy of their lover's office. Almost without exception in the social elite, the wives knew full well about the courtesans, and often were on friendly speaking terms with them.

PUBLIC OPINION

Whether the role of courtesans should be romanticized or scorned is a matter of dispute. On the positive side, they had freedoms that were extremely rare for other women at the time. Not only were they usually financially comfortable, but also financially independent, with control of their own resources rather than dependence on male relatives.

They were usually very well-educated and worldly, as compared to or even more than upper-class women, and often held simultaneous careers as performers or artists. They were typically not chosen as much for their physical attributes, as much as they were for their social abilities, intelligence, common-sense, and for being articulate and good companions. Often, it was their wit and personality that set them apart from just a regular woman. They were definitely not Prostitute s, as some might suggest, seeing as the act of sex was only one of many contributions they would make to their ''companion''. They were generally very fashionable, and could equally juggle conversations about shopping as well as politics and diplomacy.

Some were socialites from the start, coming from either well to-do, or semi well to-do backgrounds. Often they were married, but to a husband lower on the social or royal ladder than a ''companion'' might be, and their relationships with powerful personalities helped their spouses' career and social status, and this was, more often than not, with their spouses' knowledge.

On the negative side, courtesans were, as a means of survival, dependent on upper-class "protectors" to provide them with shelter and support. There were exceptions to this rule, as mentioned above, in more than a few cases, where they were from a fairly wealthy background themselves.

Difference in perception based on status

Those not in the latter category (i.e., not already ''within'' society circles), however, were ''required'' or ''expected'' to provide charming companionship for extended periods, no matter what their own feelings might be at the time, and had to be prepared to do so on short notice. They were also, because of the sexual aspects of their profession and the fact that serving as a courtesan ''was'' their main source of income, subject to lower social status and religious disapproval.

However, those who were already in the wealthy or prominent category themselves, and were only acting as a courtesan for the social advancement of both themselves and/or their spouse, were generally treated as equals. Those in this category were themselves given a certain amount of ''respect'' by their extra-marital ''companion'', both placing one anothers family obligations ahead of the relationship, and planning their own liaisons or social engagements around the courtesans married obligations.

Prior to the Victorian Era , courtesans were sometimes limited in their apparel by various Sumptuary Law s and were restricted in where they could appear at social functions. Periods of overt religious piety in a city would often lead to persecutions of the courtesans, up to and including accusations of Witchcraft .

Pietro Aretino , a Renaissance writer, wrote a series of dialogues (Capricciosi ragionamenti) in which a mother teaches her daughter what options were available to women and how to be an effective courtesan. Emile Zola wrote the book '' Nana '' about a courtesan in Nineteenth Century France .

FAMOUS COURTESANS