Author:
Capra Andrea,Graziosi Barbara
Abstract
Abstract
In his ‘translator’s preface’, Settembrini warns readers about the obscenity of the upcoming tale and criticizes modern hypocrisy: ‘Platonic love’ was invented to hide affairs between men. In ch. 1, two boys (true ‘neoplatonists’, i.e. young followers of Plato) grow up loving each other. In ch. 2 they teach their Platonic teacher a lesson in equality and reciprocity—in a hilarious scene of sexe à trois; then meet the lovely Hymnis, discover heterosexuality (ch. 3), learn more about her (ch. 4), and about how to pleasure a woman without demanding what ‘brings no advantage to her’ (ch. 5). In ch. 6, Hymnis bids farewell to them and one boy falls in love with another girl. In ch. 7, both demonstrate their valour in war. In ch. 8, they get married, ‘love and honour’ their wives, while continuing to love each other and have sex together, in a lifelong bisexual arrangement.
Publisher
Oxford University PressOxford
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