Sade's Theatre: Pleasure, Vision, Masochism

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Focusing on the neglected dramatic works of Sade, this study employs psychoanalytic and dramatic theory to explore his unique aesthetic. It challenges the perception of Sade's gaze as solely sadistic, suggesting instead a masochistic model that anticipates modern theatrical practices. By examining the structural elements of his plays, the author reveals how Sade's visual-centric approach prioritizes pleasure over morality, creating a form of theatre meant for private reflection rather than public performance. This analysis highlights Sade's contributions to the late eighteenth-century sublime and the theory of spectatorship.