Twelfth Night Friendship Analysis

The male-male friendship in Twelfth Night between Antonio and Sebastian is one that has caused speculation of homoerotic desire within the perspective of the modern audience today. The context in which the play was written was one where there was a lack of sexual identity and men were much more open about demonstrating their affection for their male friends, making the line between friendship and homoerotic male relationships nearly indistinguishable. This made the line between male platonic and homoerotic friendships very difficult to distinguish. Shakespeare seems to be playing with this blurred line, with the swapping of gender roles and close relationship between the two men. Moreover, the gender swapping is the play could be reflective

It was much more common for men to have intimate and affectionate friendships and display this fondness publicly. Bruce Smith expresses how these close male friendships made it difficult to police sodomy, as “public ways of demonstrating friendship between men - Kissing, embracing, sharing effusive compliments - could also be interpreted as signs of sodomy" (218). As the actions or words used by men weren’t always indicators of same-sex desire or sodomy, it is difficult to distinguish the subtle differences in Antonio’s character that embodies the characteristics that were known to be deviant in his time. However, in the passage, “My desire, / More sharp than filèd steel, did spur me forth”(III, iii, 4-5), Shakespeare uses the phallic imagery of filèd steel to embody the desires of Antonio, which “spur him forth”, leading to the implication of repressed desires of sodomy. Furthermore, when Antonio declares to Sebastian, “If you will not murder me for my love, let me be your servant.” (II, I, 30-31), he compares the separation from Sebastian to be as severe as being murdered – this shows his deep emotional attachment to Sebastian. Though this could be seen as simply being a passionate platonic friendship Antonio is one of few nor does he have any love interest throughout the play except

Orsino and Cesario had a very close, almost romantic relationship. Though Orsino thinks Cesario is a man, he compliments his features, flattering him with romantic, flirtatious