Analysis of the Article: Franz Schubert and the Peacocks of Benvenuto Cellini

The article Franz Schubert and the Peacocks of Benvenuto Cellini by Maynard Solomon put into perspective the life of Schubert and the possibilities of him being a gay man. Schubert is portrayed to have a strange life that no one quite understood it. Solomon includes the views of other individuals in regards to Schuberts behavior whereby they viewed him to be immoral and engaging in lots of drinking. He also mentions his life as a teacher where Schubert engaged in an intimate relationship with one of his classmates but later left her for somebody completely different from her. In regards to his sexuality, Solomon analyzes the letters and written diaries that were shared between Schubert and some of his closest friends that were male. Johann Mayrhofer and Franz Von Schober were among the friends. The letters that Solomon makes reference to illustrate love and care among the men that appear to exhibit more affection when compared to the normal relationship among men. The piece organized Mayrhofer, An Franz, which was a dedication to Schubert is a good example of such affection. In the lyrics Mayrhofer states;

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Thou lovst me! Deeply have I felt it

Thou faithful youth, so gentle and fair;

Then let us steel ourselves, already united

In noble, youthful valor.

To make his sexuality clearer, Solomon analyzes the type of parties that Schubert and his male companions attended. A good example is an invite to an event filled with erotic behavior from an individual identified as Nina. The men are promised a night full of enjoyment and fun with peacocks. The peacocks refer to young men who are dressed in feminine clothing such that they exhibit female characters.

Solomon includes memoirs from Schuberts closest friends that appear to present opposite views regarding Schuberts life. A good example is a quote by Eduard von Bauernfeld that states, Schubert are out of sorts (he needs young peacocks, like Benvenuto Cellini). Solomon explains that Cellini was among the most creative gay men who had experienced two jail terms because of engaging in sodomy in addition to facing numerous accusations on sodomy. Solomon also puts into perspective Schuberts experience with Syphilis after engaging with one of Cellinis peacocks such that it made him stay away from his circle. Nonetheless, his friends kept associating with him by writing encouraging letters and making inquiries on his health condition. Solomon also mentions that the basic sexual orientation among the men in Schuberts circle was homosexuality such that it made them feel closer as they could relate to each other. He explains that the sexual release that the men found with anonymous partners enabled them to form passionate associations such that they formed stable friendships or bonds. Also, the adults or rather men that dominate the relationships were referred to as queens. The article included the women that interacted with Schubert when he was still young. The women include Karoline Esterhazy who was a countess and whose relationship was one-sided and Therese Grob whom he dated for two years. Solomon includes the fact that Schubert was in a constant refusal of marriage despite his respect for social values. I reference to his homosexuality, Solomon quotes Schubert who in his diary entry stated, Take people as they are, not as they should be to show the need for acceptance despite the differences in sexual orientation.

Bibliography

Solomon, Maynard. "Franz Schubert and the Peacocks of Benvenuto Cellini." 19th-Century Music 12, no. 3 (1989): 193-206. doi:10.2307/746501.