«Non-conforming Pleasures»: Representations of Homosexuality in Casanova’s Histoire de Ma Vie

Abstract

Giacomo Casanova’s Histoire de Ma Vie offers an interesting perspective for exploring same-sex eroticism in the eighteenth century. Despite its reputation as a classic focused on heterosexual adventures, the Memoirs reveal references to sodomy and eroticism between same-sex individuals. This article aims to identify and place in the historical context traces of this theme within the literary source. It documents biases and captures shifts in sensibilities through Casanova’s firsthand account, delving into male homoeroticism, lesbian encounters, and the evolution of Casanova’s attitude towards male sodomy at a time when terms like «homosexuality» had yet to be defined. The challenge of anachronism is addressed by acknowledging that the absence of a specific terminology in earlier periods does not negate the existence of same-sex love and intimacy. Examining the representations of same-sex eroticism in Casanova’s Histoire provides insights into the historical contextualization of male subjectivity, the understanding of emotions, and the physiological-moral discourse regarding the body-mind connection, during a pivotal turning point in the history of emotions and sexuality.