John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester

Yvette Martinez
Discussion 1A / Ian Newman

John Wilmot 2nd Earl of Rochester (1647 1680)



• Rochester was born in Ditchley, Oxfordshire. He attended Wadham College and it is said that it was there that he became corrupted or debauched. He was renowned for his bluntness, drunkenness and womanizing ways. He had a notorious reputation.
• Much of Rochester's poetry suggests that he was bisexual. For example, in “Imperfect Enjoyment” he says:
o “That it through every cunt reached every heart/ Stiffly resolved, ‘twould carelessly invade/ Woman or man, nor aught its fury stayed:” Prior to his impotence, his penis would invade anyone, male or female.
• The idea of sexual identity is brought up in his works, especially “Imperfect Enjoyment.” One’s sexual performance is related to their gender identity, for example to be on top equates to being dominant. Sexual identity relates to the theme of Love, Sex, and Marriage.