/lit/ - Literature

While reading classical literature, I often get the impression that people back in the day were much more affectionate towards eachother than now. This impression is quite contrary to what I used to think and have been told, namely, that men never shoved emotions, affection etc. Yet in literature, usually from the 1800s, as that's what I read the most, men often openly cry, caress eachother and confess their platonic love to eachother.
The only scenario in which I can imagine me telling a good friend I love him, and for it to not be awkward, is if we're both drunk, even though both of us are aware of our mutual platonic love for eachother.
Maybe the impression I got from reading is unaccurate. And even if it is accurate, that these acts of affection were just part of their social code, and that therefore these actions were, in many cases, only done out of obligation and not pure empathy, but still, I wish that this was more of a norm in our society.
P.S. I wish Alyosha was my brother.