If you haven’t seen this film, Dangerous Beauty is based on the book 'The Honest Courtesan' - about the life of Venetian courtesan and poet Veronica Franco, who lived in 16th century. After her beloved confesses that he will never marry her for lack of a substantial dowry, Veronica’s mother announces that she is to follow her footsteps and become a courtesan a - and earn a living for her family that way.
Although Veronica resists it at first and shows no desire in becoming a more glamorous version of a prostitute... she is tempted by one single thing - in 16th century Venice, courtesans are the only women who are allowed to enter the library. Being a witty and sharp-tongued woman with a talent for poetry, she finally decides to learn to become a courtesan - and soon becomes a very successful one at that.
Here comes the question - how is prostitution portrayed in this film? Veronica’s mother, a respectable woman herself - no one would dare call her a ‘harlot’ - says proudly that she was one of the best courtesans in her youth.
Why are they proud of being courtesans?
As Veronica’s mother explains, and the film doesn’t hesitate to reinforce this idea, - “courtesans are the most educated women in Venice”. Veronica doesn’t just get access to the library - but also high society with it. Politicians, merchants, even religious representatives - they all feel that they can discuss state matters with her, and even confide in her. As opposed to their virtuous, yet clueless wives.
Courtesans vs wives
One of the most reasons why prostitution might seem glamorized in Dangerous Beauty is its representation of wives. They are so unlike Veronica - lacking her witty charm, the freedom to speak of anything but their duty and recite the gospels, wrapping up and fearing to seem vulgar. Obedient and believing that a woman is the primary source of sin.
Next to them Veronica seems like a modern woman - clever and unapologetic, embracing her sexual appeal and actually understanding how men think, how the world operates and, most importantly, free. She is not bound by anything but her feelings for her lover, or her own sense of loyalty. She speaks freely and publishes her poems. She is almost a man - even in her freedom to choose lovers and not experience any sense of guilt about it.
Feminism in Dangerous Beauty
It might sound contradictory to suggest that a film glamorizing prostitution and the whole system of exchanging sex for money can be feminist. However... is Veronica not the most influential, and therefore powerful, woman in the film? Is she not free of society’s expectations and restrictions? Is she not closer to being equal to a man in her actions - with her poetry, financial independence, not having to care for children and choosing her lover based on her own whim, - than any other woman in 16th century?
Does it not make Veronica one of the most feminist figures on screen, and her story - a social commentary on the oppressing nature of religion and fanatical fear of women?
The film doesn’t only address women’s rights, expectations of them as wives as mothers, but also reminds us - in the patriarchal society as it was for century, no matter what a woman is, there will be a fault in her. If you are obedient, loyal, devout and family-driven, like you are expected... chances are, you will have to stand quietly and watch your husband turn to another sort of woman. It is almost biblical that there will always be a temptress who will seduce a man - so what do you gain by being virtuous, apart from heart break?
Yet the temptresses are feared and shamed, and once they lose their youth, beauty or sexual appeal, they are disposed of.
And here’s why Dangerous Beauty certainly doesn’t glamorize a prostitute’s lifestyle - it is self-aware enough to address this issue directly. When asked to bring up a friend’s daughter as a courtesan, Veronica reveals the bitter truth - the price for her freedom might be too high, in the society she lives in. Beauty queens and sweethearts end up thrown out like used things, never mind being shunned by society and having to always be seen as harlots, even if they are the most educated women in the city.
Dangerous Beauty glamorizes a woman’s freedom, not prostitution
In the Medieval society, prostitution did mean some sort of freedom, for even the richest and most powerful women were bound by society and law just as much as mere wives that had nothing to their name. It was bitter freedom to be a courtesan, yet freedom nevertheless.
And, as Veronica confesses, it is worth it - at least for women like her.