Now, this is a very good question…
Even though I was never able to read more than a few pages of a couple of his books because his fantasies are almost always so extremely cruel that they make me feel uncomfortable, the « divine » Marquis is nevertheless an essential character to help us understand some of our modern-day impulses…
And as Voltaire (1694-1778) once stated so well (but he was not referring to Sade when he said it):
« I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it ».
Voltaire who, in his youth, after participating in an orgy and being invited for more « action » with the same "crowd" the very next night, politely declined by saying « Once a philosopher; twice a pervert! ».
I guess he had scruples… (I can relate to that).
Marquis de Sade (1740-1814)
What was the question again? Ah yes:
It would be difficult to find a picture which could more explicitly illustrate Sade's burning question... This engraving is part of a series of 102 engravings illustrating the life of another "bad boy" of the 18th century, Casanova, that I will mention at some point during my "Vice at Versailles" tour because he spent part of his life in France. Just to let you know...
Is one expected to be a gentleman when one is stiff? »
« Foutre!