Philip Hensher

The clue to Shakespeare’s sexuality lies in the sonnets

They are quite unlike any other sonnet sequence of the time and seem to be a kind of personal statement – written by a man with undeniable feelings for another man

The Chandos portrait of William Shakespeare. [Getty Imges] 
issue 06 July 2024
  • Comments

  • Straight Acting: The Many Queer Lives of William Shakespeare

    Will Tosh

    Sphere, pp. 292, £25

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Read next

Trending

Arthur Mann

Middle-class parents are creating a new breed of brat

From the magazine
I recently reconnected with an old friend; I went to his house and met his children for the first time. One of them looked up from his screen as we entered the room, faintly curious about the intrusion. The other, with his back to us and his face obscured by a hoodie, didn’t bother. My

More on Ben Jonson

Also by Philip Hensher

Latest

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in