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| | Effeminato Amante? |
 | | Since she goes on to suggest that he devote himself to the joys of women’s love rather than statecraft, she is obviously not suggesting what we nowadays think of as effeminacy, and indeed Tolomeo, if the libretto is to be trusted, seems quite heterosexual. |
 | | Effeminacy, however, was imposed on him by the addition of two "super catamites," non-singing muscle boys and, by implication, male concubines, who crouched at his feet like tame leopards and posed provocatively whenever Tolomeo appeared. |
 | | "Effeminacy," in consequence, was turned on its head, narrowed in definition to refer to the pursuit of one’s own sex -- and, presumably, in the passive role, with its ancient aura (however unrealistic) of assuming, of envying, femininity. |
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