The Role of Sex in Medieval and Early Modern Mnemonics

O papel do sexo na mnemônica da Idade Média e Moderna

Using sources in Latin, Italian and Hebrew as well as visual art, the present study pinpoints to an elusive mnemonic practice: the visualization of sexual acts as a means for creating memorable mnemonics scenes. It further suggests that the introduction of sexual mnemonics into the classical system of “local memory” (memoria localis) occurred most likely in the Middle Ages and may have been inspired by the imaginative aesthetic of two forms of art used in conjunction with mnemonics at that time: architectural statuary and manuscript decoration.

Keywords:
Mnemonics; Sex; Early Modern; Medieval