Another brilliant essay, thank you, and a book I shall look for. Yet again I have my thinking stretched by you. Also, I never know the reference for the pub called Eagle and Child - it gives a whole new context to the old Oxford pub!!
I've had this book on my to be purchased list since I first came across it. Having recently read "Lightbourne" about Marlowe's possible homesexuality as a reason for his death, I wondered what could be said about Shakespeare (who appears very briefly) and his own potential bisexuality.
It is hard to pinpoint someone's sexual identity in the past, unless we have letters or some other definite indicator (a diary perhaps) where they state it. Being gay wasn't seen in remotely the same way as it is now, so it's always interesting to see what's concluded from a person's writings. Moving this book to the top of my shopping list.
"A plastic bottle with a home-made gin and vermouth mixture was produced, peace restored, and the journey continued." So Bayley was drinking and driving. Must have been in more permissive times. How long ago did this happen?
How, though, really? I will reread your piece to see why you say this, but I guess for me it only matters if the fact illuminates the horrid discrimination against gays. That's why I say, it doesn't matter. But arguable?
The point is that he wrote about sexuality and thus we should discuss it in his work. It matters because that was an unusual thing to write about and because we want to understand why some characters say and do what they do. Now, it gets personal because his sonnets are personal. So he brings himself into the analysis. And that is of interest.
Another brilliant essay, thank you, and a book I shall look for. Yet again I have my thinking stretched by you. Also, I never know the reference for the pub called Eagle and Child - it gives a whole new context to the old Oxford pub!!
so glad you found it useful! yes that pub name looks much more tame than it really is!
I've had this book on my to be purchased list since I first came across it. Having recently read "Lightbourne" about Marlowe's possible homesexuality as a reason for his death, I wondered what could be said about Shakespeare (who appears very briefly) and his own potential bisexuality.
It is hard to pinpoint someone's sexual identity in the past, unless we have letters or some other definite indicator (a diary perhaps) where they state it. Being gay wasn't seen in remotely the same way as it is now, so it's always interesting to see what's concluded from a person's writings. Moving this book to the top of my shopping list.
Lots of good matter on the book on those questions — do lmk what you think of it
"A plastic bottle with a home-made gin and vermouth mixture was produced, peace restored, and the journey continued." So Bayley was drinking and driving. Must have been in more permissive times. How long ago did this happen?
oh moons ago, both are long dead
THIS REVIEW ESSAY IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS THAT I HAVE EVER READ
I thought you'd like it!
i'm delighted by it!!!!!!
I must ask, Henry: Do we really care whether or not Shakespeare was gay? Genius is genius. Love is love. Why does it matter?
Like I say in the piece, his work is often about queer sexuality, and that does matter.
How, though, really? I will reread your piece to see why you say this, but I guess for me it only matters if the fact illuminates the horrid discrimination against gays. That's why I say, it doesn't matter. But arguable?
The point is that he wrote about sexuality and thus we should discuss it in his work. It matters because that was an unusual thing to write about and because we want to understand why some characters say and do what they do. Now, it gets personal because his sonnets are personal. So he brings himself into the analysis. And that is of interest.