Exactly how steamy is this story?
G
There's really only one mildly tantalizing conversation in this book, between dear, sweet, innocent Faithful and the perhaps all-too-understanding Christian about "one whose name was Wanton":
Faithful: You cannot think (but that you know something) what a flattering tongue she had; she lay at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all manner of content.
Christian: Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.
Faithful: You know what I mean, all carnal and fleshly content. (P364)
Yeah, Faithful basically says "Carnal and fleshly content, amirite? She lay at me hard, bro." And Christian probably blushes and clutches his pearls.
In a way, the very strong rejection of sexuality here can be read as an indication of the strength of its presence. The temptations of Wanton tempt Faithful and he supposes (correctly) that Christian knows what all this "carnal and fleshly content" is about.
But, yeah. That's about as hot 'n' heavy as you're going to get in The Pilgrim's Progress, folks.