Oannes

Lee Berman · 19 Mar 2012, 19:50 · from 2012-March.txt.gz

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From: severiansola at hotmail.com (Lee Berman)
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:50:59 -0400
Subject: (urth) Oannes
Message-ID: <SNT123-W64DE3B17EEADEE42A5BF51CF420 at phx.gbl>

David Stockhoff: What's the evidence that Typhon is bisexual?

Yep, you guys did a good job listing the evidence. The erection
in Severian's presence, the tribute, the painting. Added to the
matings with Echidna and his relationship with Kypris, of course.

I agree with Antonin that a rape might have been implied as the 
upcoming event after Severian had been fed and had sworn utter fealty 
and obedience to Typhon.  Which may be part of why Severian refused to 
swear it. His torturer days might have alerted him that some men 
(like some animals) use sex as a way of affirming male-male dominance.

>Gerry Quinn: I think it?s more of a power thing than a sex thing with 
>Typhon, though.

Agreed, but it is still sex.  The choice of "fair women and boys" implies 
exercising sexual power and coercion. Not the sort of tribute subjects 
you'd pick if you planned to hold gladiator fights or build giant monuments 
to yourself. The painting does corroborate this view.

>The painting doesn't really mean anything

I'm sure you wouldn't intend to speak for others, so perhaps that could
be amended to, "The painting doesn't really mean anything to me".

But is that evidence or conjecture?
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