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Homoeroticism And Homosexuality

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Homoeroticism and Homosexuality is characterized by the tendency for erotic feelings that one person has for another of the same sex. During the Elizabethan era, the identity or term homosexual didn’t exist (Bray, 2). Rather, the term “sodomite” or “sodomy” (Bray, 2-3) were used to describe sexually deviant activities which included homosexuality. “Sodomy” was considered a sexual, political, and religious crime. It was a sin so horrible against the king [or queen] that committing such a sin would be punishable by death (Bray, 3). However, this period was also one that was “conflated with pederasty” (Lyle, homosexualityinshakespeare.weebly.com) as theatrical culture practiced boys playing female roles. The usage of boys to play female roles created gender layering in cases like the Twelfth Night and As You Like It when characters, Viola and Rosalind, are seen cross-dressing. The details of Viola, disguised as Cesario, and Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede having relationships with Olivia and Orlando, indicate Shakespeare’s encouraging attitude toward homoeroticism …show more content…
In this story, homoeroticism is recognized immediately, even prior to Orlando and Ganymede’s relationship. By naming herself “Ganymede,” (1.3.121) Rosalind ultimately makes herself the symbol of pederasty. The usage of this name could also be foreshadowing as being universally attractive to people of all genders. The name itself is derived from Greek words meaning “prince” or “genitals” (theoi.com). The name belongs to a beautiful boy, Zeus’ lover, abducted by Zeus to become cupbearer to the gods, succeeding his daughter, Hebe (theoi.com). On the topic of names, taking one more step back, interpreting the name of the play itself, As You Like It, could signify homoeroticism – whoever, whichever sex, love “as you like

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