Homosexuality In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Lady Olivia’s attraction appeared to be heterosexual because of the way Viola presented herself, and Orisno’s attraction was homosexual because of his love for Cesario. When the truth was revealed, the labels were switched; although, Lady Olivia had already moved on to Sebastian. Charles further proves the different sexualities by stating, “The representation of homoerotic attraction in Twelfth Night functions rather as a means of dramatizing the socially constructed basis of a sexuality that is determined by gender identity” (122). Neither Orisno, nor Lady Olivia knew the truth until the end so their feelings can only be fit into a category based off the information they had. Shakespeare decision to include such an intricate love triangle
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“The homoeroticism of Shakespeare’s plays has become something of a cliché in modern American theater and scholarship” (Stanley, 115). Using modern ideologies for early literature can sometimes skew author’s original intent, and make the literature something that it was not intended to be. Shakespeare utilizes homosexuality in many of his plays, but
“The twenty-first century reader often takes it for granted that any intensely personal relationship must include a sexual element. Yet Shakespeare’s characters may be more accurately viewed from the English Renaissance perspective of a homosocial public structure that exalted male friendship over any other relationship” (Stanley, 115).
Shakespeare’s time was completely male dominated, and their platonic friendships could often be confused for homosexual relationships when looked at with modern …show more content…
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) also faces allegations of possible homosexuality. His novel The Picture of Dorian Gray causes scholars to speculate about his attraction to men. This novel is about beautiful, wealthy, and young Dorian Gray who wishes to remain young forever. He meets artist Basil Hallward who quickly becomes obsessed with Gray. Hallward’s portrait of Gray is what keeps him young. He then meets Lord Henry who pushes Gray live his life selfishly. Gray falls in love with actress Sibyl Vane who quits her acting career for him. He broke their engagement, which led her to kill herself. Gray reunites with Hallward who begs him to change his lifestyle, but Gray refused and killed Hallward. He finally realizes he needs to change, and his decision to repent is reflected in his portrait. In a bout of rage, he attempts to destroy the painting that shows him as a beautiful young man. He ends up killing himself, and his servants find him dead next to the painting as an old man. Wilde’s decision to write so fondly of a beautiful young man raised suspicions amongst his peers who took him to court. “There are a number of direct parallels between Dorian Gray and those [Shakespeare’s homoerotic sonnets] poems. Wilde himself pointed this out. When questioned about the homoeroticism of the novel during his first trial, he told the court: "The whole idea was borrowed from Shakespeare, I regret to say — yes,
“The homoeroticism of Shakespeare’s plays has become something of a cliché in modern American theater and scholarship” (Stanley, 115). Using modern ideologies for early literature can sometimes skew author’s original intent, and make the literature something that it was not intended to be. Shakespeare utilizes homosexuality in many of his plays, but
“The twenty-first century reader often takes it for granted that any intensely personal relationship must include a sexual element. Yet Shakespeare’s characters may be more accurately viewed from the English Renaissance perspective of a homosocial public structure that exalted male friendship over any other relationship” (Stanley, 115).
Shakespeare’s time was completely male dominated, and their platonic friendships could often be confused for homosexual relationships when looked at with modern …show more content…
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) also faces allegations of possible homosexuality. His novel The Picture of Dorian Gray causes scholars to speculate about his attraction to men. This novel is about beautiful, wealthy, and young Dorian Gray who wishes to remain young forever. He meets artist Basil Hallward who quickly becomes obsessed with Gray. Hallward’s portrait of Gray is what keeps him young. He then meets Lord Henry who pushes Gray live his life selfishly. Gray falls in love with actress Sibyl Vane who quits her acting career for him. He broke their engagement, which led her to kill herself. Gray reunites with Hallward who begs him to change his lifestyle, but Gray refused and killed Hallward. He finally realizes he needs to change, and his decision to repent is reflected in his portrait. In a bout of rage, he attempts to destroy the painting that shows him as a beautiful young man. He ends up killing himself, and his servants find him dead next to the painting as an old man. Wilde’s decision to write so fondly of a beautiful young man raised suspicions amongst his peers who took him to court. “There are a number of direct parallels between Dorian Gray and those [Shakespeare’s homoerotic sonnets] poems. Wilde himself pointed this out. When questioned about the homoeroticism of the novel during his first trial, he told the court: "The whole idea was borrowed from Shakespeare, I regret to say — yes,