Homosexuality Twelfth Night

In Twelfth Night, or What You Will, Shakespeare subliminally gives his thoughts and views on Elizabethan era. Through the characters, Shakespeare uses extremities that were considered shocking to his audience to aid him in exploring ideas of homosexuality and religion.
In Elizabethan era, homosexuality, or even any signs of a private relationship was regarded as immoral. Tom MacFaul, author of, Male Friendship in Shakespeare and his Contemporaries, points out that “[A]ny friendship that was too private, and threatened social hierarchy, could be regarded as sodomitical; this obviously created a certain anxiety about friendship, and mitigated against the success of private friendship. Worries about sodomy forced friendship into the public sphere”

Even though Sebastian and Antonio’s relationship appears to be a strong male friendship, through a closer reading, their relationship is much more intimate. Antonio is infatuated with Sebastian, and Sebastian does not push away Antonio’s advances. Antonio discusses his feelings for Sebastian saying, I could not stay behind you: my desire, More sharp than filed steel, did spur me forth; And not all love to see you, though so much As might have drawn one to a longer voyage, But jealousy what might befall your travel” (Shakespeare, Act 3 Scene 3). By using the words “desire” and “jealousy”, Antonio to characterize his rationales for travelling with Sebastian demonstrates the intense passion Antonio has for him. Antonio also says to Antonio that “Being skilless in these parts; which to a stranger, Unguided and unfriended, often prove Rough and hospitable: my willing love, The rather by these arguments of

When Viola reveals her identity, Orsino says, “Cesario, come; For so you shall be, while you are a man; But when in other habits you are seen, Orsino’s mistress and his fancy’s queen” (Act 5 Scene 1). By Orsino, referring to Viola as Cesario, it validates that Orsino has been enticed by Cesario throughout the play, but was never able his thoughts freely because of the culture. Although the society does not allow such fraternizing between the same sex, Orsino still had passionate thoughts about Cesario, and with Viola revealing her true identity, her revealing served as a gateway and a catalyst for Orsino to truly profess his love for Viola. And by still calling Viola “Cesario”, it shows how truly enamored Orsino was with