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[1] Portia is one of the most atttractive but also most puzzling of Shakespeare's heroines, especially in her attitude toward relationships between the sexes. On the basis of her words and actions, does she generally appear to favor equality in power among the sexes, female dominance (à la the Wife of Bath), or subservience to male authority? [2] There has been much critical discussion concerning how we are to understand the relationship between Antonio and Bassanio. Many critics believe that Antonio—single, middle-aged, depressive, sensitive—may in fact be homosexual, and that his friendship with Bassanio has overtones of homoeroticism to it. Others deny this, noting that seemingly romantic language among friends was not uncommon in Elizabethan England. What do you make of the relationship? Are Antonio and Bassanio straight friends? Friends with a half-acknowledged homoerotic component to their friendship? Actual male lovers? What in the text would lead you to think one way or the other on this? |