Samuel Pepys's diary, covering 1660-1669, is a classic text, detailing his life in London as a naval administrator amidst the plague and Great Fire. Historians value it for insights into 17th-century middle-class life. Pepys's vivid descriptions, like burying cheese to save it from fire, are memorable.
However, much of the diary is in French, Latin, Spanish, and a mix of these, used by Pepys to discuss sex, a frequent topic. These coded passages, written in shorthand, concealed his actions and protected him from shame.
The diaries were initially censored. The complete, uncensored volumes became available in the 1970s, but the coded passages remained untranslated. A recent effort has translated these entries, revealing a detailed look at a man who often fondled women.
The diary reveals more than just bawdiness. Pepys's actions included violence and disturbing behavior. He often pressured women to marry so he could continue his affairs.
His marriage to Elizabeth was also difficult, marked by his frustration and physical violence. The newly translated entries present a stark picture of male entitlement. This new perspective changes how we read the diary, a valuable historical resource.
2 Comments
Matzomaster
It feels unfair to bring up his personal life when many men of his time behaved similarly. What’s the point?
Coccinella
Everyone had flaws back then. Let's not pedestalize contemporary morals on past figures. It's hypocritical.