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For a long time, sadism was simply equated with cruelty and defined as “pleasure derived from inflicting pain”. Conversely, masochism was defined as “pleasure derived from feeling pain”, hence the old psychiatric term “algolagnia”: enjoyment of pain (gr. algos: pain and lagneia: lust). This view was shortsighted, but it was certainly understandable. For centuries, beatings had been a regular feature of education, both in the home and in the classroom. Many adults remembered these beatings and the cruel joy of their tormentors. It seemed only logical to assume that they had derived some depraved pleasure from hurting their helpless pupils. Thus, the new term “sadism” seemed to fit their behavior perfectly. On the other hand, also for centuries, people had observed the religious ecstasy of certain devout individuals and groups who castigated their bodies for the sake of their souls. They seemed to enjoy their self-inflicted pain, and thus the new term “masochism” seemed to fit their case as well. Finally, well-educated women and men became aware of a direct connection between beatings and sexual excitement. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s autobiographical Confessions, published after his death, had revealed an interesting personal secret: At the age of 8, he had derived erotic pleasure from being spanked by his 30-year old female guardian, and from that moment on, he kept craving this kind of punishment for the rest of his life. The term “masochism” seemed only too apt for this predilection.
However, as we will see, pain is only one possible aspect of sadomasochism, and it is by no means an essential one.
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Beatings in Education and Religion
(Left) Spanking. For centuries, beating children was considered an integral part of education in all Western countries. Parents and teachers used instruments like paddles, canes, birches, whips, straps, or belts to discipline the younger generation. The saying “Spare the rod and spoil the child!” summarized this philosophy. It was only in the late 18th century that “enlightened” educators began to doubt the usefulness of this practice. This was largely due to the writings of Rousseau. In addition, his personal life also provided a warning example of the negative influence of spanking on a child’s sexual development. (Renaissance drawing.)
(Right) Self-Flagellation. Beating oneself has a long tradition in a number of religions as a form of penance. In Christian countries, it reached its height in the Middle Ages, when large groups of so-called flagellants wandered from place to place whipping themselves bloody in public demonstrations of religious fervor. It is possible that at least for some of them the practice had sexual connotations (woodcut, Nuremberg Chronicle).
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