Harmful Promiscuity Then and Now: Have the Dangers of “Hookup Culture” Changed Since the Era of Ovid?

Love today is elusive, given the frequency and normalization of casual, meaningless sex, and men’s inability to control their sexual desire in these contexts. I believe this is a result of men, in particular, that struggle to find a consistent loving partner, and thus yearn for another sexual outlet. This behavior, known popularly as “hookup culture”, inevitably holds the possibility of sexual violence, given the lack of care for one another and the drive to quickly satisfy personal needs, then withdraw. The violence is often male-driven because of frustration from rejection, or they desire to experience control to preserve a sense of masculinity. In Ovid’s Ars Amatoria, Ovid teaches men to move on from romantic rejection with a series of steps and stories -- some hauntingly reflected in today’s sexual atmosphere. Ovid laments unrequited love, which ultimately leads him to want to control it through violent, promiscuous, and misogynistic behavior.

Casual sex exists so that individuals can immediately and spontaneously satisfy their desires without developing a relationship beforehand. Ovid takes advantage of this to lure any girl he finds attractive: “Straightaway, since she pleased me, I sent her a proposition” (49). This impulsive behavior is explained by Ovid as an inability control his arousal, an attitude that drives sexual harassment and assault. He pleads he is a victim to lust: “I lack all power and authority to control myself: carried away like a boat, swept swiftly through the water” (52).

Ovid is easily frustrated by a woman’s hesitancy to cheat on her partner or sexually engage with him: “Bagoas, how anxious your mistress is at being watched!” (49). By failing to respect a woman’s commitment to another, Ovid implies that the woman is essentially a commodity available to all, incapable of selecting her own relationships or possessing any jurisdiction over her sexuality. When another man is chosen, Ovid’s grasp on his precious masculinity is lessened. Rejection is a direct blow to a man’s sense of power over women, which can incite a desire to gain it back: no matter if it is violently forced. If affection is not reciprocated, Ovid still wishes to control her: “Even she who castigates me and my poems – I long to endure her critical thighs” (52), as it is a challenge that will strengthen his ego all the more if he succeeds.

In the elegy Cypassis! Ovid gaslights and threatens Cypassis - the servant of his partner, Corinna- whom he has a secret affair with. When Corinna envies Cypassis, Ovid gaslights Cypassis in claiming he is a hero for defending her: “it was my great presence of mind, to swear faithfulness [to Corinna] by the vast power of Venus!” (59). Wielding his position of power over Cypassis, he continues, “For my service to you repay me…sleep with me today! / Why, ungrateful girl do you refuse, and find new fears? … / If you say no, foolish girl, I’ll say what we’ve done before ... I’ll tell your mistress how many times, and in what ways!” (59). This blatant aggression, self-aggrandizement, manipulation, and sexual coercion has unfortunately not been left in the past. Men in power - think Harvey Weinstein, Russell Simmons - believe they can get away with using their privilege to coerce vulnerable women, such as young girls or their employees, and often present a reward or an ultimatum to prevent refusal.

Ovid relays a male-centric narrative that could be written in the modern day: follow the rules of "hookup culture" to avoid love's painful clutches, and reestablish masculine power. His inside look into the young male mind could never be published today by any man that wishes to maintain his reputation. As one of the first authors to encourage misogynistic behavior, he contributed to the harmful culture we still see today. Unfortunately, attitudes and behaviors surrounding sex have changed surprisingly little for men since 43 BC. Luckily, however, we are beginning to see progress in recognizing female survivors and holding men accountable. Movements such as #MeToo have served to encourage women to speak up about their abuse in order to protect them from future events. Ovid deserved to be held properly accountable for his actions, and we hope that others like him today will be.