How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Love him. Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters? And how long, at the best, can it last, since you are both men and still have everywhere to go? Only five minutes, I assure you, only five minutes, and most of that, helas! in the dark. And if you think of them as dirty, then they will be dirty – they will be dirty because you will be giving nothing, you will be despising your flesh and his. But you can make your time together anything but dirty, you can give each other something which will make both of you better – forever – if you will not be ashamed, if you will only not play it safe." (1.3.98)
What is the relationship between sex and love presented in the book? Is David's fear that he will find himself sexually attracted to Giovanni or that he will love him? Why, even when one is in love, can sex make one feel ashamed? Why would the shame be particularly strong in David's case?
Quote #5
"Somebody, your father or mine, should have told us that not many people have ever died of love. But multitudes have perished, and are perishing every hour – and in the oddest places! – for the lack of it." (1.3.105)
How true is Jacques's assessment of love? Is Jacques one of the people that is perishing for the lack of love? To what extent is he infusing David's situation with his own views and ideas?
Quote #6
With this fearful intimation there opened in me a hatred for Giovanni which was as powerful as my love and which was nourished by the same roots. (2.1.56)
Are love and hatred compatible? Do they destroy each other or can they co-exist? How is David's hatred of Giovanni linked to his love for him?