Analysis Of Homosexuality In The Play 'Angels In America'

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The characters in the play “Angels in America” all struggle with their own sexuality. Prior, Belize, Louis, Joe, and Roy all deal with their own sexual issues and how they handle these issues shows their moral fiber. Prior is the most open about his sexuality and he is chosen as the prophet, a symbol of virtue and moral righteousness. Prior represents the good in the play, whereas Roy, the most closeted about his sexuality, represents evil. This correlation puts a negative stigma on closeted homosexuals. Prior is the most open and straight forward about being a homosexual in the play. In act two as Prior is in the hospital, he says “I want Louis. I want my fucking boyfriend, where the fuck is he? I’m dying, I’m dying, where’s Louis” (Kusner…show more content…
The way he talks to people clearly show how open he is towards it. After Roy mentions his WASP doctor, Belize says, “He’s not queer, I am.” Then after Roy says Belize has absolutely no reason to help him, Belize says “Consider it solidarity. One faggot to another” (Kushner PAGE). This shows how open Belize is and the level of comfort Belize has with his own sexuality as he uses the word faggot, which is typically considered offensive. Along with this openness, Belize also stands alongside Prior with in his orally uprightness. His goodness is most evident in act five after Roy has died and Belize wants to thank him for the pills and say the Jewish prayer to the dead for him. He asks Louis to say it because he does not know it. Upon Belize’s request, Louis snaps, “I’m not saying any fucking Kaddish for him. The drugs OK, sure, fine, but no fucking way am I praying for him…I can’t believe you’d actually pray for him” (Kushner 255-256). Belize says in response, “Louis I’d even pray for you” (Kushner 256). Belize reveals his true goodness with the nature of this statement. He talks about why he thinks the most evil character in the play deserves a prayer. Belize says “He was a terrible person. He died a hard death. So maybe…A queen can forgive her vanquished foe. It isn’t easy, it doesn’t count if it’s easy, it’s the hardest thing. Forgiveness” (Kushner 256). Since he forgives Roy, something only…show more content…
When Louis and Prior are at Louis’s grandmother’s funeral, the two talk about how Louis does not like to be open with his family. Louis says, “Sorry I didn’t introduce you to…I always get so closety at these family things” (Kushner 25), to which Prior responds with “Butch. You get Butch. ‘Hi Cousin Doris, you don’t remember me I’m Lou, Rachel’s boy.’ Lou not Louis, because if you say Louis they’ll hear the sibilant S” (Kushner25-26). This conversation proves Louis’s insecurity about his homosexuality when he is among family members. Louis’s self-consciousness about his homosexuality only surfaces around so he is only partially closeted. He loves Prior, but chooses to leave him due to his discomfort with Prior’s AIDS. This act is forgiven by Prior and they remain friends. In act five, Louis says to Prior “I really failed you. But…this is hard. Failing in love isn’t the same as not loving. It doesn’t let you off the hook, it doesn’t mean…you’re free to not love” (Kushner 273). To this, Prior says “I love you Louis” and Louis comes back with “Good. I love you” (Kushner 273). Louis knew that what he did was wrong, so he went to Prior and sought forgiveness. Louis is partially flaw in the play, but he is forgiven, which also corresponds with how he is only partially in the
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