On Thu, 26 Sep 1996 [log in to unmask] wrote:
> Indeed it is tempting to think of the pincering and tearing of breasts in
> the martyrology through a Freudian prism. But I doubt that breasts were
> sexualized as they are now. They are more likely to be associated with
> childbirth and pregnancy, issues less sexually-construed. Still, this is a
> very intruiging topic , but one that must be discussed with care.
>
> Mark T. Risisky
> Master's Student
> Florida International University
>
I agree that the female breast in the Middle Ages was associated more
closely with maternal nurturing than with erotic imagery. I recall
reading not too many years ago a good study of an incident of witchcraft
persecution in S. Germany (or Austria?) in which the breasts of the aged
mother of two adult males, all convicted of witchcraft, were torn off
before their execution; the author described this as physical degradation
of the victim. Unfortunately I never bought the book and can't remember
either the title or the author's name.
John Parsons
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