Toward a Bisexual Shakespeare: The Social Importance of Specifically Bisexual Readings of Shakespeare

Abstract

Readings of Shakespeare through a specifically bisexual lens are not only socially important to bisexuals as a minority group but are also consistent with bisexual spaces as transitory, playful, radical and experimental, in keeping with the festive tradition in theatre. This article gives an overview of attempts to determine Shakespeare's own sexuality as well as some traditional sites of contention around sexuality in his work, most notably in The Sonnets. It discusses how these academic debates combined with cultural hang-ups about Shakespeare's status may hinder British bisexuals in particular from seeing their sexual and loving practices reflected in a cultural icon who is key to their national identity. It then looks at some of the ways that specifically bisexual readings can be achieved including presentism in theatre, as well as the importance of more peripheral texts and of elements of Shakespeare's writing that may have specific relevance to bisexuals, such as his imagined and temporary spaces. Also included is a brief write-up of the “Queering Shakespeare” workshop run at BiCon 2010 in London.