The Marquis de Sade Trivia Quiz

Answer: Donatien Alphonse Francois

Although rightfully born to it, he was unable to take the title of Marquis until after the death of his father in 1797. It had been common practice in the de Sade family to change back and forth between the title of 'marquis' and 'comte' or 'count.' (In Continental Europe, the sons of aristocrats generally acquire their titles at birth, unlike in the United Kingdom).

The de Sade coat-of-arms includes the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, a privilege granted in the 15th century.

Answer: Petrarch

This is not the only literary association to the family of de Sade. The Marquis' uncle, Abbe Jacques-Francois de Sade, was a contemporary and friend of 'Candide' author Voltaire.

Answer: captain

The Marquis was placed into the distinguished service of the Carabiniers de Monsieur due to the important connections of his father. The Carabiniers were commanded by royalty, and Jean-Baptiste wanted his son to be in the best of company. Donatien flourished here and was later promoted to captain. Before this, the Marquis had served in the light cavalry as a sub-lieutenant.

Answer: Renee Pelagie de Montreuil

The Marquis was forced to marry this woman, having already fallen in love with another. The object of his affection, however, decided to abandon him after infecting him with gonorrhea, and the Marquis married Renee Pelagie only one day after meeting her.

Answer: 1791

"Justine" is the best known work by de Sade, and offers many sexually graphic encounters of an unfortunate young girl. In the text, de Sade explains that God is evil and suffering is a result of the denial of that truth.

It was the republication of this work, in 1801, together with a sequel entitled "Juliette" that led Napoleon to order that the anonymous author be found and locked up for corrupting public morals.

Answer: 32

The Marquis de Sade was incarcarated several times for several offences - and for the last 13 years of his life simply by order of Napoleon. He served time in the Bastille, Vincennes, and Charenton Asylum for crimes such as blasphemy, licentiousness, various sexual offences, and the procuring of both male and female prostitutes.

Answer: 1793

In October of 1793, the Marquis was arrested for sexual assault on Mlle. Testard, who was a prostitute. In her deposition to the police, she testified that the Marquis performed many outrageous sexual and blasphemous acts, screaming all the while, "If thou art God, avenge thyself!"

Answer: Aline and Valcour

'Aline and Valcour, or the Roman Philosophy' was first published in 1795, and was the first of the Marquis' books to be printed under his real name. The theme of this book sums up the feelings of the Marquis concerning the place of religion in society.

Answer: Latour

The manservant Latour helped organize and took part in many of the Marquis' crimes, and was arrested alongside him on numerous occasions. He was even sentenced to death in 1772, a fate which he and the Marquis both escaped by fleeing to Italy.

Answer: all of these

Initially loved by Renee Pelagie's mother, Mme. Montreuil, she quickly lost her liking for him after his continued unfaithfulness to his wife and repeated public scandals. It is she, nicknamed the 'Presidente,' who had the Marquis imprisoned for the last time, and a letter from her that kept him there.