Marquis de Sade

Blason famille fr de Sade

Jean-Baptiste François Joseph de Sade

Marie-Éléonore de Maillé

Deatail of The 120 Days of Sodom, or the School of Libertinism

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Sade-Biberstein

Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade (2 June 1740 – 2 December 1814), known by his title as the Marquis de Sade, was a French nobleman, revolutionary politician, philosopher, and writer, famous for his libertine sexuality. His works include novels, short stories, plays, dialogues, and political tracts; in his lifetime, some of these were published under his own name, while others, which Sade denied having written, appeared anonymously.

Sade is best known for his erotic works, which combined philosophical discourse with pornography, depicting sexual fantasies with an emphasis on violence, suffering, and criminality, leading to the term "sadism" being coined from his name. Despite being a controversial figure, Sade is regarded as one of the earliest writers of erotic literature and sadomasochism.

Biography

Sade was born in Paris, France, to a noble family. He was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and pursued a military career before marrying Renée-Pélagie de Montreuil. Throughout his life, Sade's libertine behavior led to numerous imprisonments and legal battles. He spent a significant portion of his adult life in various prisons and in the Charenton Asylum, due to his scandalous activities and writings.

During the French Revolution, Sade initially supported the revolutionary cause and even managed to secure a position in the National Convention. However, his political affiliations and beliefs were complex and shifted over time, leading to his imprisonment under both the revolutionary government and the subsequent Napoleonic regime.

Literary Work

Sade's literary output was vast and varied. His most famous works include Justine, or the Misfortunes of Virtue (1791), Juliette (1797), and The 120 Days of Sodom (written in 1785 but not published until the 20th century). These works were controversial for their explicit and often shocking content, which explored themes of freedom, excess, and transgression against societal norms.

Sade's writing is characterized by a philosophical depth, questioning conventional morality and the nature of freedom. He argued for the pursuit of personal pleasure, even at the expense of others, challenging the moral and social boundaries of his time.

Legacy

The Marquis de Sade's influence extends beyond literature to philosophy, psychology, and the arts. His exploration of the darkest aspects of human behavior and the limits of societal norms challenged Enlightenment ideals and anticipated existential and nihilistic themes in modern thought.

Despite his controversial reputation, Sade has been celebrated by various writers and thinkers, including the Surrealists, who admired his radical challenge to conventional morality and his exploration of desire and fantasy.

Criticism and Controversy

Sade's works have been subject to censorship and critical condemnation, both during his lifetime and posthumously. His explicit descriptions of sexual violence and his philosophical justifications for libertinism have sparked debates about the nature of obscenity and the limits of artistic freedom.

See Also

• Erotic literature
• Sadomasochism
• French literature of the 18th century