Gay shakespeare

Shakespeare is a name that most everyone recognizes.

Perhaps Romeo and Juliet was required reading in your high school English course, or perhaps your preferred movie is a contemporary reimagining of Julius Caesar…ahem, Mean Girls. Regardless, the Bard's influence is pervasive throughout much of literature in some form. What is perhaps less widely known is that many of Shakespeare's works, below the surface, address themes of gender and queerness. Many plays delve into cross-dressing, gender variance, and same-sex bonds; some academics view these relationships as potentially deeper than simple friendships.

I had the chance to enroll in a class covering a few of Shakespeare's most important works last spring. Presented here are my perspectives on the most prominently queer characters, derived from that course.

Horatio from Hamlet 

Horatio serves as Hamlet's confidant and one of the few who exhibits genuine concern for Hamlet's welfare within the drama. So steadfast is Horatio's devotion that numerous scholars consider it to be beyond a simple, kindhearted friendship. But a particularly famous quote has cemented this interpretation for many, wherein Horatio utters to Hamlet, 'Goodnight, sweet prince,' a delicate parting as if he were expressing his farewell to a lost love.

Rosalind from As You Like It  

A core component of the play is the developing romantic relationship between Rosalind and Orlando, the two leading characters. Rosalind is exiled, prompting her decision to adopt a male persona in her new, banished existence. In her endeavor to get Orlando's attention, she plays with the concept of instructing him on how to court Rosalind while disguised as Ganymedes, her male alias. The act of donning male clothing and performing romantic actions with Orlando raises questions about Rosalind's true objectives and whether she harbors an interest in obscuring the boundaries of her own identity.

Ariel from The Tempest 

As a spirit of the air under the servitude of the magician Prospero, Ariel's gender identity has consistently remained ambiguous. The interpretation is reinforced by the established practice of casting both male and female actors in the role, the name's inherent gender neutrality, and the scholarly consensus that a spirit's gender tends to lack specificity in general.

Antonio and Bassanio from The Merchant of Venice

From my readings, Antonio's persona possesses one of the most overtly queer storylines. The plot concentrates on the struggle surrounding Bassanio, his closest friend, whom it is strongly insinuated he harbors feelings for. Antonio not only offers Bassanio a considerable loan, fraught with risk, but also shoulders the responsibility when Bassanio cannot repay it, which carries the consequence of death. Bassiano, in a fervent declaration of affection, avows his love for Antonio, asserting that '[he] would lose all, may sacrifice them all,' including both his wife's existence and his own, to ensure the safety of his "friend."

Ultimately, Shakespeare's enduring creations possess the ability to transform over time; each piece's interpretations evolve, accumulating heightened cultural significance. Their inherent ambiguity often permits the effortless envisioning of his characters across a multitude of perspectives-queer identities included.