What was the gay sub-text?
Did I miss something....I keep reading about the gay-subtext in the reviews.
shareGore Vidal wrote part of the script for BEN-HUR. The gay-subtext is that Messala's relationship with Judah was more emotional than just friendship, and that his betrayal is more like a lover scorned (while realizing he could use it as a wise career move in his ambitions). Vidal has also mentioned that William Wyler directed their scenes by having Stephen Boyd play up this homosexual aspect but not telling Charlton Heston.
Certain aspects of the scenes do play to this assertion. Boyd's emotional gaze at Judah in their meeting. Lines like "Judah we must believe in one another...Beg?! Didn't I beg you?" the scene where Messala and Judah drink their cups with arms crossed by one another. This does add an angle toward Messala's sidekick Drusus, who hangs around at his side, sharing space, his great concern when he gets trampled by the horses.
One can interpret it all as one likes. That's the special contribution an audience makes to a film, play, novel, etc. The scenes, dialogue you cite can be reasonably applied to any strong emotional attachment between old friends, relatives, etc. without there having been a sexual antecedent. Enjoy it the way you like. Expect others to do the same.
sharewrightinchicago
The fact that you had to enquire about the supposedly "gay sub-text" just about says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhSPcAyCgwE