Homosexuality has long been a controversial topic of England 's history, stretching from England’s origins all the way to modern day. It was condemned in the Bible , and sodomy (the act of homosexual sex, or other sexual acts not for procreation) was made illegal in the 15th century , punishable by death until the mid-1800s. Yet, there are records of homosexuals throughout England 's history. Kings , actors , members of the upper echelons of society, all were seen in homosexual relations, committing acts of sodomy. In the Victorian era, there are many famous examples of homosexual men, including the most famous, Oscar Wilde . Many Victorians knew about these so called ‘sodomites’ and often ignored them in upper levels of society . In reality,
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, Many cases either received minor sentences instead of the death penalty, or outright denied. Famous cases like the trial of Oscar Wilde, or the trials of Boulton and Park , were often outside of the norm. In this essay, I will be looking at Victorian society and views of homosexuality, as well as the theory of scandal. As well I will be arguing the trial of Wilde and of Boulton and Park were both anomalies of the Victorian era. The Victorian era in England is often believed to have been a prudish, sexually repressed period of history. This is only partially true. Sexual matters within the bedroom were not as the famous quote goes (“lie back and think of England” ) but rather mutual pleasure and love in marriages . Women in this period were largely inspired to reimagine their sexualities, inspired by Queen Victoria and her own openness of her relationship with her husband Albert . Sex was beginning to be discussed, in literature, medical studies, religion and other fields where it had not been spoken about previously. But, homosexuality was not discussed in proper circles because it was thought that …“the untaught and …show more content…
Both had very different outcomes, with one leading to imprisonment and exile and the other being thrown out of court for a lack of evidence. These were sensational at the time, as both were relatively high profile, involving men of high standing. As well, both cases are some of the most famous examples of the Victorian period, and define most modern knowledge of the persecution of homosexuals during this period. This is where most modern stereotypes about homosexual persecution in the Victorian period stem from. The first was the trial of Oscar Wilde, the famous actor, writer and playwright. Wilde was a well-known homosexual, taking handsome young men to fancy dinners, partying with prostitutes and high class paramours . He dressed flamboyantly, and even during his marriage which bore him two children, he wore a green carnation boutonniere – which was a sign used by French men to show their sexuality . Despite this, many people were willing to ignore this side of Wilde, enjoying his immense talent. It was not until his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas that Wilde faced any form of legal repercussion for his sexuality. A letter he wrote to Douglas, whom he affectionately addresses as “Dearest of all Boys” and “Dearest Bosie” , fell into another’s hands, and was used to blackmail Wilde, and was eventually used against him to convict him of gross indecency . Douglas’s father, the
, Many cases either received minor sentences instead of the death penalty, or outright denied. Famous cases like the trial of Oscar Wilde, or the trials of Boulton and Park , were often outside of the norm. In this essay, I will be looking at Victorian society and views of homosexuality, as well as the theory of scandal. As well I will be arguing the trial of Wilde and of Boulton and Park were both anomalies of the Victorian era. The Victorian era in England is often believed to have been a prudish, sexually repressed period of history. This is only partially true. Sexual matters within the bedroom were not as the famous quote goes (“lie back and think of England” ) but rather mutual pleasure and love in marriages . Women in this period were largely inspired to reimagine their sexualities, inspired by Queen Victoria and her own openness of her relationship with her husband Albert . Sex was beginning to be discussed, in literature, medical studies, religion and other fields where it had not been spoken about previously. But, homosexuality was not discussed in proper circles because it was thought that …“the untaught and …show more content…
Both had very different outcomes, with one leading to imprisonment and exile and the other being thrown out of court for a lack of evidence. These were sensational at the time, as both were relatively high profile, involving men of high standing. As well, both cases are some of the most famous examples of the Victorian period, and define most modern knowledge of the persecution of homosexuals during this period. This is where most modern stereotypes about homosexual persecution in the Victorian period stem from. The first was the trial of Oscar Wilde, the famous actor, writer and playwright. Wilde was a well-known homosexual, taking handsome young men to fancy dinners, partying with prostitutes and high class paramours . He dressed flamboyantly, and even during his marriage which bore him two children, he wore a green carnation boutonniere – which was a sign used by French men to show their sexuality . Despite this, many people were willing to ignore this side of Wilde, enjoying his immense talent. It was not until his relationship with Lord Alfred Douglas that Wilde faced any form of legal repercussion for his sexuality. A letter he wrote to Douglas, whom he affectionately addresses as “Dearest of all Boys” and “Dearest Bosie” , fell into another’s hands, and was used to blackmail Wilde, and was eventually used against him to convict him of gross indecency . Douglas’s father, the