Homosexuality and Lesbianism in the Classical Age will be explored with the help of writer Jennifer Thorne, identifying themes of transgression and desire through the works of Homer, Plato, Sappho and Aristophanes. Information will be culled from normal, everyday life as well as the Gods and heroes themselves.

Topics include:

1. a) Defining our terms and frames of reference – who, what, when, where, and why
b) Define ‘Normal’ – Home life, society’s expectations, stages of life (with a look at the Odyssey – who’da thunk that Odysseus and Penelope were the template for ‘normal’?).

2. What was ‘Greek love’, really? (Defining homosexuality/lesbianism in the classical Greek period).
a) Plato and ‘Platonic love’ – the golden ideal.
b) Sappho and ‘Sapphic love’ – what girls did, and why no one cared (as long as it was with each other). continue reading

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