The above is not a somatopos, i.e. an instance of somatopia.
It is a Map of tenderness featured in the first volume of the Madeleine de Scudéry novel Clélie, published in 1654. The map details the distractions and pitfalls—depicted as towns and landmarks—that lovers encounter along their journey from New Friendship (the town at the bottom center of the map) to intimacy in the Kingdom of Tenderness.
At the moment, I am trying to stay clear of the lake of indifference.
Thanks for introducing me to the term somatopia.
I have done some research on de Scudery for a novel. There is a theory that she was wary of intimacy (represented by Terres Inconnues) and that the Carte is more about social mores. others postulate she was a lesbian. I just found it a useful literary motif! More on my website http://debutnovelist.wordpress.com
Alison,
Very pleased to meet you. The map is an excellent literary motif indeed. Yesterday evening I read (somewhere, I can’t find it now) that the map also represents the female sex organs. Can you confirm or deny?
I’ve taken the liberty to add you to my Wiki here. Hope all goes well with the publication. Feel free to update your profile in an encyclopedic way.
Jan
thank you Jan
Sex organs? New one on me, though I get the idea – could cast a new light on things, or could be just be a coincidence.
– I’ll sign up and edit my profile soon – I live in Bristol, England but a Scot by birth.
See you around!
Hi Jan
Is it okay to use this image on my site? Let me know if not.
Alison
Yes, it is ok.
Just a quick note to tell you that I am not sure about the representation of sexual organs on this map.
Thanks for the mention of my wiki on your blog. Though sex is fairly well represented, I like to think of the wiki as broader than that.
Jan