I was referring to the sex (rape?) scene and the fact that Hest and Sedric are gay. When I look back over all the events, it almost seems like Hobb has taken every male role and made each of them into pigs.

Hest - Turns out he is a repressed homosexual, he has issues with his mom and dad, and he's got a major anger management problem.
Sedric - He's gay, but he's a disgusting character as well because he is forcing Alise to be faithful to the man he's having gay sex with!

If it weren't for Leftrin, I don't think I could identify with ANY of these characters.

The second book, Darkspell, features two homosexual wizards who ritually rape men to gain magical power. Their latest victim, in the end, discovers to his shame that he actually liked :blink: their treatment of him. They are the only gay characters in the entire series so far (I have read the first three books, don't ask me what compelled me to read on after that).

Yes, Hest and Sedric are pretty despicable (did I spell that correct?) characters. Consider, though, that apparently, homosexuality is not tolerated in the Farseer universe. It must affect people who are gay. And remember, there were plenty of unpleasnt males who weren't gay - Regal, Kennit and Cosgo come to mind.

Fitz is Chivalry's son OMGWTFBBQ!!!

Hest: okay, YES he is a horrible character, but i think that he would be whether he was gay or straight, it isn't a part of his being gay. he lives in a culture where homosexuality is not accepted, so of COURSE he's 'repressed', ALL homosexuals are. I don't believe that that is a part of his innate character, it's a consequence of his society.
He's actually pretty honest, saying frankly to his wife that he doesn't love her and that the marriage is one of convenience for both of them. Perhaps he should be totally transparent with her and explain his reasons, but he can't risk her outing him and ruining him.
he is manipulative and cruel, but that's the consequence of being a spoilt rich kid; look at how how manipulative Malta was [and still is]. The sex/rape scene with Sedric is unpleasant, but i found it reasonably realistic taken in context of the culture they life in. that is: when homosexuality is so hidden, it takes quite a lot to get someone to admit that they may be one. Hest's 'seduction' methods may be abhorrent to us, but Sedric allowed it, and chose to continue the relationship.

Sedric: is also gay, but i don't see how he's 'disgusting'. He has very strict ideas about what is right and proper, and he's also completely gagged by his own role in Hest's life. For the marriage to break down, there would have to be evidence that Hest is being unfaithful, which would obviously condemn Sedric just as much as Hest, if not moreso, because Hest, coming from a 'better' family, would probably play the 'poor innocent rich boy led astray by the filthy low-bred Traderboy' card. Hest would lose everything, Sedric would lose everything, Alise would lose everything. How is that better than trying to keep it rolling onwards with as few ripples of scandal as possible? Agreed, it's not ethically 'right' to be so dishonest, but what else can he do?
If anything, Sedric's worst actions are to do with the stealing of dragonparts for his own gain, and the murder of the copper dragon - and not his involvement in Alise and Hest's marriage.