SHAKESPEARE - were homosexuals frowned upon in his time, if so how?

Answer 1

In the time of Shakespeare the church considered that to be a homosexual was a cardinal sin.

Answer 2

Homosexuality was considered a pretty stiff sin, in the Catholic and English churches, and yes, you could get executed for it, in most civil courts.

On the other hand, it was considered not so bad, as long as you didn't scare the horses, and loved your wife. Seriously. It's only in the last couple of centuries that homosexuality was considered an either/or proposition: most of the time, men who had more than a brotherly interest in each other weren't classed as being biologically different than men with an extramarital fetish for say, blonde girls with large breasts. In short, if you were a respectably married man who liked hanging 'round the docks, looking for a quickie, you'd probably get no more frowns than a guy who went trolling for wenches. If you were a nice old bachelor with a few cute-looking servants, people would wink and nod knowingly, but (mostly) keep their mouth shut. If you had a long-time relationship between equals, with the two of you living together, you would be well-advised not to make a public issue of it.

Given that for at least some of Shakespeare's life, he was under a king (not *that* way, silly!) who had a "passionate friendship" himself, it's an interesting question....

Answer 3

If you read Shakespeares work and look at the male friendships in the plays, they 9/10 all have some kind or homosexual aspect.
It would have been acceptable among friends although in a playing sense, not to have a relationship with. Men would have kissed or grabbed each others crotches but that was when they were together on a "boys night out/in".
Twelfth Night is a prime example. Hope this helps

Answer 4

I'm afraid that Raymo and hana woo are wrong. Male homosexuals were definitely frowned upon in Shakespeare's time - homosexuality being considered a cardinal sin, as Alec A. says.
The punishment for being homosexual in Tudor England was death - often by having a red hot poker pushed up their a** (yes, seriously! eg read the fate of the homosexual King Richard ll in Shakespeare's play of that name).
Lesbians, on the other hand were known as 'Rowdy Girls' and usually tolerated.

Answer 5

Right up until recently people of different sexual outlook eg homosexuals;women, coloured people where all having a hard time. The theatre was 'safe' (and still is today. I have worked in theatre, film and television and a good proportion of people are.) as far as it could be profession, likewise the navy. These stereotypes can be banded around today. The so called morality of the church created these ways of thinking as has a lot to answer to.

Answer 6

They have always been frowned upon, even Tchaicovsky married to cover up his homosexuality.
It was illegal in this country until the 70s (I think the 70s) or late 60s. But even today gays in many cases are frightened to 'come out' because of bigotry

Answer 7

It was taboo. Or something that was not looked upon well by the common people. But understand, Shakespear called alot of people knaves and Jackels. Read "Timon of Athens." That piece is so deep, it reflects so much of today.

Answer 8

I think that the Elizabethans had enough problems just staying alive. Life expectancy was very short, there was practically no medicines to speak of, people had to struggle to keep warm, to eat enough and have somewhere semi-decent to live. Then there were the dreaded plagues. No time to judge others, only time to get on with life and enjoy it as best they could. Lesson there?

Answer 9

i think people were alot more open to ideas then, for instance, men used to have no problem with saying hello as women do now with a kiss. so i dont think they were frowned upon, but then....i wasnt around in those days!

Answer 10

i imagine people tensed the muscles in their eyebrows, pretty much the same way as they would do it today...