Content Warning: The source material includes references to suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, and incest.

A courtesan is a historical term for a woman sex worker or professional mistress who has wealthy, noble, or upper-class clients. Courtesans increased in popularity in Renaissance Europe but existed in Europe and Asia before then. Because marriages were often for political or financial reasons during this time, courtesans were an accepted part of society. Courtesans were categorized as “honest courtesans,” who were often educated and provided entertainment and conversation, and cortigiana di lume, or “courtesans of light,” who were lower-class and did not provide special entertainment or talents so were viewed as sex workers only. Some courtesans were married and performed their duties for social or political reasons. The book describes the courtesans Diwa, Tullia d’Aragona (an honest courtesan), Su Shou, Liane de Pougy, and Caroline Otero, both as seducers and the seduced.

A dandy is a dated term for a man who pays particular attention to his clothing or appearance, sometimes with a flamboyancy to his style and accessories. The term first appeared in late 18th-century England, then became popular in the 19th century. The Dandy is a seducer type that Greene characterizes as either male or female and focused on their appearance.