4. The Waltz at Some Central European Courts

Abstract

As discussed above (see Chapters 1 and 2), many of the books written about round dances circle around the outcries that these dances are morally unacceptable because of the tight embrace of, and closeness to, the opposite sex. The arguments include the view that the dances make women defenceless, that they are open to abuse, and that they are harmful to women’s health. On the other hand, there are reports about dance crazes, endless enthusiasm, and, finally, in the later stages, nostalgic pra..