Most people who enjoy BDSM will tell you that it is an erotic, sexual fetish, but did you know that there are many similarities between this taboo fantasy and ancient literature? In the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche, Psyche's love for her husband, Eros, leads to him abandoning her due to his jealousy, which creates one of the most tragic love stories ever written. Similarly, in the novel, Venus in Furs, by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, a woman ties up her lover and whips him while he begs for mercy. Mythology and fiction both have themes of power dynamics, punishment, and submission. It's no surprise that some researchers believe that these stories influenced later works like The Story of O and Fifty Shades of Grey.
One similarity between kink and ancient literature/mythology is the idea of dominance and submission. In Greek mythology, Zeus and Hera represent the classic power dynamic. Zeus is seen as the powerful god who rules Olympus, while Hera is often portrayed as being more submissive than other female gods. This dynamic can also be seen in Norse mythology with Odin and Freya. In modern literature, this theme has been explored through characters such as Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey or Catherine Tramell from Basic Instinct.
Another connection between kink and ancient mythology is the use of pain as pleasure. In Venus in Furs, the narrator describes how being bound and whipped brings about sexual arousal rather than fear or shame. This concept was not uncommon in ancient times either; it was believed that certain types of pain could bring about heightened pleasure in people. For example, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu experiences pleasure when being tortured before his death.
A third similarity between kink and ancient literature/mythology is the act of punishing those who disobey orders. In many myths, heroes are punished for their transgressions by being tied up or humiliated publicly. For instance, in the story of Prometheus, he steals fire from Zeus and is chained to a rock where an eagle eats his liver daily until Hercules frees him. In BDSM culture, punishment can come in many forms including spanking or restraint.
Finally, there is the idea of transformation through submission. In Cupid and Psyche, Psyche must go through various trials to prove her love to Eros, which ultimately transforms her into a goddess herself. Similarly, in some forms of kink play, submissives undergo rituals that change them physically or psychologically.
Overall, these similarities show just how deeply rooted fetishes like kink are in our cultural history. It's no surprise that so many stories have themes involving power dynamics, punishment, and transformation. What do you think? Are there other connections between kink and ancient literature/mythology that we haven't explored here?