On sexuality, carnality and desire: philosophical reflections on the film The Monk

The eighteenth‑century English writer Matthew Gregory Lewis wrote one of the most dramatic Gothic novels, The Monk; over 200 years later, a film of the same name appeared, based on the novel and directed by Dominik Moll. The film, a free adaptation of the book, presenting the story of the moral downfall of the monk Ambrosio, has inspired us to philosophical reflections on sexuality, carnality and physical desire. In the context of these issues we have attempted to analyse and interpret this cinematic work of art. The method we have adopted is based on a thorough discussion on the topics developed in the film and related issues. This method, while not pretending to scientific objectivity, enables us to outline an interesting field of research as well as to identify a number of theoretical problems and questions which remain open. The formula we have adopted is to quote lines from the film The Monk which permit the analysis of selected issues related to sexuality, carnality and physical desire. Moreover, these quotes serve to order the text and enable the precise identification of interpretive trains of thought.