Does Shakespeare steer the reader's sympathy towards Venus or towards Adonis?

Question

In the narrative poem [*Venus and Adonis*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_and_Adonis_(Shakespeare_poem)), Shakespeare reuses a story from Ovid's *Metamorphoses* (which he often used as a source of inspiration), but gives it an original spin: Venus's desire is presented as predatory, and Adonis tries to reject her and get away. It is also striking that Venus get many more lines than Adonis. Is Shakespeare trying to steer the reader's sympathy towards Venus giving more attention to her point of view, or are we still supposed to sympathise with Adonis? --- For an online version of the poem, see e.g. the [Shakespeare Folger Library](https://www.folger.edu/venus-and-adonis).

Answer 1

In "Venus and Adonis," Shakespeare presents a complex dynamic between Venus and Adonis, leaving room for interpretation regarding which character the reader is meant to sympathize with. While Venus's desire is portrayed as persistent and even predatory, Adonis's attempts to reject her advances can evoke sympathy for his plight.

Shakespeare's decision to give Venus more lines than Adonis could be interpreted in multiple ways. On one hand, it could suggest that Shakespeare intends for the reader to empathize more with Venus, as her emotions and desires are explored in greater depth. On the other hand, it could be seen as a deliberate choice to emphasize Venus's relentless pursuit of Adonis, highlighting the imbalance of power in their relationship and potentially eliciting sympathy for Adonis as the object of her unwanted affections.

Ultimately, Shakespeare's intention may have been to create a nuanced portrayal of desire and rejection, allowing readers to form their own judgments about the characters and their motivations. The poem's ambiguity and complexity leave room for interpretation, inviting readers to consider the complexities of love, desire, and agency in the context of the narrative.