Female domination: adultery perpetrated by women in the mid-18th century entremezes

Abstract

This paper intends to study the recurring theme of female adultery in the Portuguese entremezes of the 18th century. Based on two case studies, the Entremez dos Casados Sem Filhos ou de São Cerejo and the Entremez do Sacristão feito Gil Lourenço, the links between these representations and the Portuguese historical, political, and sociocultural context of the time will be established, assessing confluences and discrepancies. This analysis will allow us to reflect on a configuration of women not only as wives and mothers, but also as individual people, autonomous in their choices, actions, and sexuality.