Introduction
Prostitution is considered to be the oldest profession. In different times there were women who offered their bodies and pleasure to men. However, the meaning and the attitude to prostitution has always been different.
Nowadays, prostitutes are women who provide people with sexual pleasure, however, there were times when to be a prostitute was an art, prostitutes were the most educated women and were praised by some men more than their counselors.
Prostitution as the profession has revolutionized having become a simple satisfaction of the sexual desire, however, in the Middle Ages prostitution was a more responsible and valuable profession with the presentation of many freedoms to prostitutes while women were restricted in many social spheres.
The belief that prostitution is a dirty profession is not correct as people are to know the history of this occupation to judge the issue.
Critical engagement with the film using class materials and academic sources
Prostitution is a profession based on sexuality and women of all times wanted to have a great look when chose this occupation. However, to become prostitutes in the Middle Ages women had to work harder than now.
Nowadays, beauty and the opportunity to bring pleasure for men are the main criteria for a prostitute. However, several centuries before a prostitute had to be educated, she had to be able not only to bring pleasure, but to seduce a man, to make him dependant.
Watching the movie Dangerous Beauty, the history of the prostitution may be studied. This movie is a story about one of the greatest prostitutes whose actions once saved Venice, whose mental abilities were great and this was her main weapon, not the sexuality.
Paola Franco, the mother of Veronica Franco, the greatest courtesan, said the following, “Courtesans, my dear, are the most educated women in the world… Desire begins in the mind. Cleopatra, Theodocia, she could seduce a man at twenty paces, without revealing an inch of flesh”.
The value of courtesans was higher the wiser a woman was. Sexuality was important as well, however, this was not the most important aspect as each woman is beautiful if she cares about herself.
The movie under consideration, Dangerous Beauty, shows the life of those who were lucky to have rich lovers, this is a story about pain of a woman who loves but cannot become a wife of a man she loves.
The prostitution in this movie is presented as something sacred and acceptable. However, to show the attitude of another part of the society, the final scene of the inquisition is shown.
Watching the movie, it is possible to change the attitude to courtesans, however, for many people such women would always remain prostitutes who sell their bodies and souls without having the right for forgiveness.
Dangerous Beauty is the movie which tries to show that there are many reasons why society should be grateful to courtesans, still anxiety and hostility are the main feelings people consider appropriate for them.
Still, thorough research makes it possible to say that this anxiety and hostility hided compassion (Mathieu, 2011, p. 114).
It becomes reasonable, as the greatest part of the society is sure that prostitutes steel their husbands, but at the same time they pity prostitute’s destinies.
Levin and Peled (2011) conducted a research where they tried to present the methodology of considering the social relation to prostitution. Validity and reliability of the methods were considered.
The authors do not question the necessity of prostitutes in the society (p. 582). The same idea of the importance of prostitutes (courtesans) in the society is presented in the movie Dangerous Beauty.
Courtesans were necessary for the Middle Age Venice as well as prostitutes are necessary in the modern world. Men need sexual and mental relief and wives cannot always give them what they need and want. Prostitution is a service where human labor is specific, however, it may be one of the main ways to get whatever one wants.
The problem of prostitution and the legalization of the profession remain sharp in many countries and Levin and Peled (2011) have a desire to consider and evaluate the opinion of the societies to draw a conclusion.
The methodology offered by the author my help solve the problem of prostitution legalization in case society understand the real value of the occupation (p. 583).
Conclusions
In conclusion it should be stated that the attitude of the society towards prostitution is an important factor in the life of a country.
Looking at the modern country, prostitution is not legalized in most of them, however, the changes in the attitude of the society to the issue may change the situation.
Looking at prostitution as the way to get relaxed, to enjoy not only sexually but mentally, may change attitude of people to prostitution in general.
History shows that prostitutes used to be educated people who supported their lowers not only in bed. Such function of prostitutes may increase their status, however, this may also make those uncomfortable for wives.
Reference List
Levin, L., & Peled, E. (2011). The attitudes toward prostitutes and prostitution scale: A new tool for measuring public attitudes toward prostitutes and prostitution. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(5), 582-593.
Mathieu, L. (2011). Neighbors’ anxieties against prostitutes’ fears: Ambivalence and repression in the policing of street prostitution in France. Emotion, Space and Society, 4, 113-120.