Maril
An exploration of the homoerotic aspects of wartime comradeship, male bonding in the time of Tolkien, or the specific master-manservant bond between Frodo and Sam, opens up many interesting avenues (and you're full of mischief [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )
It's actually wrong to say homosexuality was either utterly taboo or less prevalent in his day. In the academic spires of Oxford and Cambridge at least, it was certainly not an uncommon, or unaccepted, phenomenon. As well as its traditional association with upper-class public schools (fagging and all that), it was also associated with certain English bohemian or artistic circles. The traditional veneration of Greek culture (and notions of masculinity) may also be considered. Pillars of the cultural establishment - in Tolkien's day - like the poet WH Auden, composers Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett (who was awarded the OM by the Queen), and the painter Francis Bacon were all known to be homosexual and accepted as such.
I personally find it hard to believe that Tolkien was hinting at a queer subtext. However, if you consider the notorious nude male wrestling scene from Lawrence's Sons and Lovers, or the post-war decadence evoked in Isherwood's Cabaret, or the public school infatuations hinted at in Lindsay Anderson's seminal 'If', it is clear there was certainly no lack of context.
There may also be an element of the South African in there. Just about all white South African families had servants, and the societal hierarchies were clearly delineated. At the same time, there can be an intimacy between master and servant (that many have written about) that transcends the friendship of equals. 'Intimacy' is probably the most accurate term.
The bond between Sam and Frodo is clearly intimate. But whilst there may be the slightest homoerotic hint (in one phrase out of a thousand), I honestly think anything more is just speculative extrapolation.
It's worth noting that modern analyses of sexuality in relationships often refer to the power relationship - dominance, submission, cultural enforcement etc. In the context of traditional Catholicism (a la Tolkien) any questions of sexuality are steeped in such connotations. The fear of, and repression of, female sexuality has been posited as an aspect of Catholicism. The memoirs and memories of Irish authors (and the musings of Dave Allen) seem to bear this out to some degree. Power is naturally also an aspect of gay relationships.
The power relationship of Frodo and Sam is therefore relevant here. Sam's love for and loyalty to Frodo is clearly articulated many times. He accepts and welcomes his role, and happily considers Frodo to be his superior. This is apparent around the Shelob episodes. At no time that I am aware of does he contradict or overrule any of Frodo's decisions, even if he has misgivings. Undoubtedly Frodo would feel utterly relaxed and nourished by such unconditional acceptance and loyalty. But the key thing is there is no tension in the power relationship. And it is precisely a tension that would link to eroticism. So again there isn't really much to build on here if you are looking for explicit homoeroticism.
Still, a phrase or two out of context, and anything's possible [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
Peace
[ April 22, 2002: Message edited by: Kalessin ]
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