Entre o prazer e o pecado: inquisição, sodomia e corpo a partir do caso de Frei Lucas de Sousa no Grão-Pará (1652 - 1663)

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyze the proceedings originating from the nefarious acts performed by Friar Lucas de Sousa in the second half of the 17th century in the city of Belém do Grão-Pará, in the then State of Maranhão. The investigations seek to problematize the body from a sexual and historical perspective, relating the understanding of medicine and religion about the sexuality of the human body, specifically the body that commits the “sin” of sodomy, in this research, the sodomy is the sexual practice between males, which in the inquisitorial lexicon, is called “perfect sodomy.” The proceedings of Friar Lucas and his accomplices also allow for the exploration of the Mercedarian Friar's own conceptions of his body in comparison to the female body. The primary sources are the inquisitorial processes, however beyond the Tribunal of the Holy Office, we use sources such as the Bible, Father Rafael Bluteau’s dictionary, chronicles, and treatises.