| Genre | Erotic literature |
| Impact | Lasting impact on Western culture |
| Censorship | Debates over censorship, but genre continued to thrive |
| Time period | 17th century to present |
| Notable works | Various, spanning romantic to explicit |
| Social context | Acceptance and production by prominent authors, ties to aristocracy and royal courts |
Erotic literature, writing that explores themes of sexuality, romantic love, and desire, has a rich and complex history that can be traced back to the 17th century in this alternate timeline. Unlike later eras where the genre was heavily stigmatized and suppressed, erotic writing was more widely accepted and produced by many renowned authors during this period.
Some of the earliest prominent works of erotic literature emerged in the 1600s, reflective of the greater cultural openness around sexuality at the time. One of the first major texts was Princess Marguerite of France's 1632 collection of short stories, ''Contes lascifs'' (Lascivious Tales), which explored themes of courtly love and sexual intrigue among the French nobility.
Other early innovators in the genre included the Italian Giambattista Marino, whose 1623 poem ''L'Adone'' combined mythological allegory with explicit eroticism, and the English Lord Rochester, whose bawdy and satirical verse challenged social mores. These works established many of the enduring tropes and styles of erotic literature.
As the 17th and 18th centuries progressed, erotic writing became more widespread and visible, with contributions from many celebrated authors:
These and many other authors helped establish the diversity of erotic literature, from romantic, courtly works to the more explicit, pornographic styles. The genre also began to shed its elitist associations, reaching wider audiences.
Erotic literature in this timeline encompassed a broad range of styles and themes. Some works focused on the emotional and romantic aspects of desire, depicting courtly love and the yearnings of the heart. Others delved into the sensual, physical details of sexuality in more graphic terms.
Common motifs included:
The genre also began to experiment with literary form, with some authors using poetry, epistolary structures, or stream-of-consciousness to convey erotic experience.
Many of the era's most prominent erotic writers enjoyed the patronage and protection of aristocrats and royalty. Figures like Marguerite of France, Louis XIV of France, and Charles II of England were avid collectors and connoisseurs of erotic literature, commissioning private works and shielding authors from censure.
This symbiotic relationship between the erotic arts and the upper classes was not without its critics, however. Periodic moral panics and censorship campaigns targeted what were seen as immoral, licentious texts, leading to bans and book burnings. But the genre persisted, often going underground or operating in private, elite circles.
Erotic literature's prominence and acceptance in this timeline had a lasting impact on Western culture, shaping attitudes and artistic expression around sexuality for centuries to come. Many of the genre's seminal works and themes would go on to influence later erotica, pornography, and even the mainstream literary canon.
While the genre has continued to evolve and adapt to changing social mores, the rich tapestry of erotic writing from the 17th to 19th centuries remains a significant and influential part of this alternate world's cultural heritage.
