Baron Harkonnen being a gay pedophile wasn’t any sort of insight into current or past leaders, it was just Herbert’s own homophobia influencing his work.
It’s a remarkable counter point to his depiction of Baron Harkonnen in Dune.
Not particularly, especially in light of the very scene I mentioned. Homophobes often treat lesbianism differently, either dismissing it or sexualizing it, because they’re usually sexist as well.
Baron Harkonnen being a gay pedophile wasn’t any sort of insight into current or past leaders, it was just Herbert’s own homophobia influencing his work.
Fortunately he had a change of heart by the time he got to GEoD.
Change of heart? In that book he writes that homosexuals are driven to become sadistic rapists.
I was thinking of the bit in God Emperor of Dune where the Duncan is outraged at seeing the lesbian fish speakers and Moneo chiding him for it.
It’s a remarkable counter point to his depiction of Baron Harkonnen in Dune.
Not particularly, especially in light of the very scene I mentioned. Homophobes often treat lesbianism differently, either dismissing it or sexualizing it, because they’re usually sexist as well.
Actually, yeah. That’s a good point.
Something in the back of my mind way making noise while I was writing that out. Thanks for of pointing it out explicitly.