Jun-03-2010, 10:54 AM (UTC)
(May-29-2010, 09:37 PM (UTC))Mervi Wrote: I've expressed this opinion before elsewhere and the resulting discussion wasn't pretty but I do believe it makes sense that the 6D and Bingtown cultures are (latently?) homophobic, even when there doesn't seem to be a set of religious rules to cause it.
Though there is no mention of religion in the following passages, I thought it interesting that Dutiful chose to keep his virginity even in the face of Elliana's advances because, "It is the custom of my land, though not all follow it. To wait until we are wed."
And also, from a princely point of view, "My body and my seed belong to the Six Duchies. I am not free to share it where I would choose, but only with my wife. That is our custom."
In this, though there may not be a set of 'religious laws' outside priestly living (at least that we know of, even though most seemingly adhere to the concept of El and Eda or Sa to varying degrees?), there are obviously 'customs', some of which may include the dismissal of homosexuality? There would have to be, wouldn't there, otherwise it would be more prolifically out in the open? Something has to have set the standard for their society?
It's obvious Leftrin has been more exposed to homosexuals (no doubt due to his association with Carson) than, say, Fitz...we only have to look at their reactions. While Leftrin would probably shrug or roll his eyes, Fitz would fall over himself to get away ! In this, as it is in all things, it's probably accurate to say that we should be wary about measuring the rest of the realm's personal or social standards through Fitz.
As for dragons, I agree, they definitely seem to have very few sexual hang-ups and, interestingly, this makes their distain of rape all the more powerful....that's their line in the sand.
"I am the Catalyst, and I came to change all things. Prophets become warriors, dragons hunt as wolves."