The emperor's entire ass: Nudity in satire

Using nudity as a narrative tool for belittling the powers that be

The Emperor's New Clothes is a classic tale by Hans Christian Anderson about a ruler who is duped by two swindlers into thinking he is wearing a magical set of clothes that are invisible to anyone who is unfit for their position or are simply not smart. Thus, the emperor parades around naked, completely unaware of his own nakedness. The people, too afraid to speak out about the emperor's lack of clothing, go along with the charade until a young child blurts out the truth. The child who is not bound by social conventions is able to see the Emperor's nakedness and call it out for what it is.

The story is often used as a metaphor for how people in positions of power can be easily swayed by flattery and can be blinded by their own ego. It serves as a commentary on the power of social norms and the dangers of pride and vanity. The emperor's nakedness becomes a symbol of his ridiculousness and the folly of blindly following authority. Nudity in this story serves as a way to expose the truth and to mock those in power. In this way, nudity can be a powerful tool for satire, allowing for the exposure of hypocrisy and the ridicule of those in power.

There are several aspects of nudity that make it a compelling device for storytellers to employ, especially for satire.

Nudity represents being exposed and vulnerable, and this can be seen as a metaphor for being honest and genuine. Nudity can also be seen as a way of stripping away the layers of artifice and social convention that we often use to present ourselves to the world. In this sense, being naked can be seen as a way of getting to the core of who we are, and can be seen as a symbol for honesty and truth.

In many cultures and traditions, the naked body is associated with innocence and purity. When we are naked, we are seen as being more honest and genuine. We are seen as being more vulnerable and open. We are transparent. In this sense, nudity can be seen as a way of breaking down barriers and getting to the core of who we are. Nudity can be used to shock the audience, draw attention to the absurdity of a situation, or to make a point about society.

From ancient Greece to modern-day China, artists and satirists have found compelling ways to use nudity as a means of speaking truth to power.

The ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes used nudity to satirize the absurdity of war. The play depicts the women of Athens going on a sex strike to end the Peloponnesian War, using nudity to mock the men's reliance on war and violence as a means of achieving power.

A portion of William Hogarth’s Gin Lane, 1751.

In 18th-century England, the satirical engravings of William Hogarth often depicted nudity to satirize the upper classes and their excesses, exposing the seedy underbelly of society and the moral decay of the ruling elite.

In 19th-century France, Edouard Manet's Luncheon in the Park was a highly progressive painting, challenging the norms of both art and the politics of the time when it was debuted, in 1862. It presented a scandalous narrative of bourgeois citizens taking a picnic instead of attending a work-related activity.

Edouard Manet’s Luncheon in the Park, 1862

This painting spoke directly to the rise of the bourgeoisie and their newfound wealth and freedom, which was met with disapproval from the ruling class at the time. Ultimately, Manet used this painting to challenge the conventional notion that the aristocracy were the only people worthy of having their lives depicted in art.

Nude Ai Weiwei in Beijing, 2010

It is possible that these days you see nudity used for satire more often than ever. In contemporary China, the artist Ai Weiwei's use of nudity in his art is a form of political satire that exposes the human rights violations and censorship of the Chinese government. Street artist Banksy sometimes uses nudity in his graffiti to satirize political and social issues, such as infidelity, in his piece Well Hung Lover from 2006.

Banksy’s Well Hung Lover, 2006

The television show Black Mirror often uses nudity in its satirical commentary on technology and society, frequently touching on very real phenomena that are already apparent in the modern world. As the censorship of nonsexual nudity on social media platforms becomes more ubiquitous and oppressive, nudists and artists might consider the ways in which nudity, effectively employed, can speak truth to power and shine a light on the injustices and infringements upon our basic freedoms that are often committed by “big tech”.

The use of nudity as a tool for satire can be seen in many examples throughout history in literature. At least in Western culture, The Emperor’s New Clothes remains one of the most resonant. It’s possible that the story is the first example of satire children are taught in school. With the use of nudity to speak truth to power, The Emperor's New Clothes has maintained a lasting and timeless message. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of conformity and the importance of speaking out against injustice, even when it may be unpopular to do so. It is a powerful reminder that, even in the face of authority and power, it is important to be true to oneself and to not be swayed by appearances. It’s a story to be studied, as the devices it employs have contributed to its timelessness, and may be valuable tools for artists and activists today. 🪐