Homosexuality A Platonic Relationship - 1553 Words

One of the biggest debates when it comes to Shakespeare is if homosexuality is present in his works or not. This debate only began in recent decades when the term â€Å"homosexuality† was not seen as completely taboo. Many scholars debate that the â€Å"platonic† relationships between men were really participating in homosexual relationships, which were covered in many layers of English Renaissance language. These scholars also argue that women during this time were used for two reasons: 1) to cover up said homosexual relationships and 2) reproduction. Women were used for men’s personal gain. Women were considered manipulative and destructive. On the other hand, some scholars argue that these men were not in homosexual relationships with one another and really considered each other a brother. But really, it all boils down to which play/sonnet. In some cases, there are homosexual relationships shown and in others it is merely a platonic relationship. It all depend s on the story that is being portrayed. Theatre of the Renaissance consisted mainly of men – including the parts that were supposed to be portrayed by women. This created an inherently homoerotic environment that was widely accepted. Men had no problem dressing in women’s clothing, putting on make up, and acting as a woman during a play. In Thomas L. Martin and Duke Pesta’s article, â€Å"Redressing Cross-Dressed Shakespeare† they note that, â€Å"In this theater the attraction of men to beautiful boys—whether those men be on the stageShow MoreRelatedHow William Shakespeare And Carol Ann Duffys Subverting The Gender Roles Of Gender And Feminism1430 Words   |  6 Pageslove with the use of both philia (platonic love) and eros (sexual desire) in â€Å"From Mrs Tiresias† (â€Å"At first I tried to be kind† and â€Å"the slow caress of her hand on the back of my neck†). We see this in the two ‘lesbian’ relationships, the one between Mrs Tiresias and the fo rmer Mr Tiresias (strictly platonic, because of Mr Tiresias’ abhorrence of the conceptualisation of having any kind of non-heteronormative relationship) and the subsequent lesbian relationship between Mrs Tiresias and her â€Å"lover†Read MorePlatonic Love In Platos Symposium1415 Words   |  6 Pagesvaries in each narrative. Yet, in this dialogue of love, Plato presents a metaphysical approach to understanding the ambiguous meaning of love. Ultimately, Plato values the perennial quest for knowledge above all else. In Symposium, Platonic love is exhibited in the relationship between virtue and desire, as expressed in Diotima’s ladder. Desire is the vehicle, or the means to an end. The six Athenians ultimately present different ends in regards to the meaning of love. 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