More on role reversals

Wojtek Sokolowski sokol at jhu.edu
Thu Mar 20 10:40:09 PST 2003


Following my thoughts on disciplinarian populism and role reversals it punishes, eere is one of my most favorite poems - one featuring a role reversal by - surprise - a leading gay poet Konstandinot Cavafy:

KING DEMETRIUS "Not like a king, but like an actor, Instead of his royal robe, he put on a Gray cloak and stealthily departed." - PLUTARCH, "Life of Demetrius"

When the Macedonians abondoned him, And proved that they prefer Pyrrhus, King Demetrius (he had a great soul) Did not -so they stated- behave In the least like a king. He went And took off his robes of gold, And cast off his purple shoes. He dressed hurriedly In simple clothes and went off. Behaving like an actor Who when the performance is over Changes his clothes and departs. --------

It reminds me of Gore.

Wojtek



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