While reading Jose Enrique Rodó’s Ariel, I was struck by the strong currents of homoeroticism present in the essay. I do not mean to point to this to suggest that Rodó was a closet homosexual. Perhaps he was, I am unaware. Regardless, I am not concerned with it. Instead, I mention this because I’d like to pose that it functions directly into Rodó’s central argument, that the practice of homosexuality embodies the ideals he wants to imbue in the Latin American youth and country.
The piece is rampant with homoeroticism. There is the exclusively male nature of the dialogue (or, more accurately, monologue) that resembles the practices of Athens, which is known to have fostered sexual relationships between older and younger men, and which, along with Plato who idealized homosexuality, is championed by the text. The character Ariel is sexually ambiguous. There is frequent mention of the physical beauty of the body, and of how a preservation of the mind leads to the same in the body, and to stay away from utilitarian practices that would mutilate the body. This body fixation, we can assume, is directed towards a male one. Homosexuality here displays a system that would function well in Rodó’s desired Latin America, and enacts many of its ideals. Take for example the nature of homosexual sex. It is decidedly un-utilitarian; it does not produce babies. In fact, Rodó thinks about what it could be like ‘impregnate’ men with ideas instead: “…the spirit of youth is as a generous soil, where the seed of an opportune word may in a short time return the fruits of an immortal harvest.” (6). It is also the physical extension of loving the interior by making love with a man who is intellectually and spiritual similar to oneself. Homosexuality exists outside of the traditional capitalist society and is an embodiment of many of Rodó’s ideals.
I never would have interpreted Rodo’s text as being highly homoeroctic. When we were in class you pointed out some intriguing points on how Rodo continuously uses words like “seeds”, “harvest”, and “soil”. Rodo is extremely infatuated with incorporating classical western traditions in Latin American culture. You make a interesting point because in Greek culture homosexuality was extremely prevalent in society.
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