I found this in my notes for my English class... I figured I'd share them with wewe here.
In Classical times, heterosexuality, au the upendo of a man for a woman, was considered to be "an animalistic urge to be slaked quickly only for the purpose of reproduction" (Henry Staten, English 202 instructor) while "platonic love" au the upendo of a man for another man, was considered idealistic and "above the beasts."
Such close Marafiki were in fact called "lovers," like Hercules and Hylas. To fall in upendo with a man was the "proper" thing to do at the time, and signified a wonderous thing.
This "homosociality"...
continue reading...