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The Taming Of The Shrew Essay
The Taming of the Shrew Essay On the The Taming of the Shrew's very surface, it is seen as a
misogynistic attempt to enforce gender roles and stereotypes by showcasing the transformation of a
fiery, freeā€“spirited woman to a silenced, subjugated wife. The play revolves around the two
protagonists, Katharina and Petruchio, as the pair battle over psychological domination. The
residents of Padua perceive Kate as a devious and hateful woman towards the beginning of the play,
earning her the seemingly well appropriate title of a "shrew". Evidence of her unkindly disposition
is seen in 1.1.69ā€“71 by Tranio and Lucentio, two men new to the area, as they observe a scene
unfold from afar. Tranio refers to Kate as "stark mad, or wonderful froward,"...show more content...
Kate seems to fit both of these definitions, and examples of her violent temperament are in 2.1.1ā€“23
as she binds Bianca's hands and flings her around while forcefully questioning her about her
suitors. On the outside it seems as if Kate is purely torturing Bianca out of jealousy, but deeper
analysis into the text suggests a far deeper manipulation on Bianca's part. Bianca, knowing that
there are many men in love with her, plays with her sister's heart and makes her jealous. She acts
as if she has many suitors with whom she does not know what to do with, and that Kate can
choose from her leftovers. When Kate questions Bianca about her affections towards her suitor
Hortensio, Bianca replies with false sweetness and innocence, "If you affect him, sister, here I
swear I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him." The verbal jest begins again, this time
over Bianca's second suitor Gremio. This sisterly battle is truly psychological warfare, with a
distinct difference between the opposing sides. Like Kate, Bianca is manipulative and harsh, yet
she differs from her sister in how she shows it. Kate wears her disposition on her sleeve, and has
never had a reason to be hide it away or be ashamed of it. Bianca, on the other hand, interweaves her
poisonous words with sweet honey, entrancing everyone, and stays in everyone's good graces. By
acting nice and innocent, Bianca secures
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Taming Of The Shrew Character Analysis Essay
"The Taming of the Shrew" was a play written by William Shakespeare in the late sixteenth century.
The play features the characters Bianca Minola, who is the younger daughter that is loved by the
city that she resides in for her beauty and is the female every nonā€“married male in the city wants to
marry; her older sister Katherina Minola, who is seen as a devilish woman that no one will marry
due to her anger and the fear she strikes into the men; their father Baptista Minola; who won't let
anyone marry Bianca until he finds someone who will marry Katherina; Petruchio, who marries
Katherina due to the fact that he is given money by Baptista and he finds her a marvelous woman,
even if he never says such a thing, as it is hinted at by his...show more content...
Thou know'st not gold's effect. Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough..." (Shakespeare 1.2.94ā€“95)
Hortensio then informs Petruchio about her father by saying, "Her father is Baptista Minola..."
(Shakespeare 1.2.98) Petruchio then states that "I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her..."
(Shakespeare 1.2.104) which then enacts the second act where Petruchio tells Baptista about how
he wishes to marry Katherina and it is in this act where Petruchio meets Katherina and tells her
father that they are going to be wed that Sunday. In the next act, it is the wedding day, and
Katherina marries Petruchio and we see Katherina go with Petruchio, and it's at this time where we
see Petruchio make Katherina more civil and not lash out at him. During this time, we also see
Bianca get closer to Lucentio, and they begin to build a relationship while he is tutoring her.
Eventually, the two elope, but it turns out Bianca is hard to control and was a shrew like her sister
once had been. Katherina then gives a speech about how women should be obedient to their
husbands and do what they ask of them because they do so much for them, the least the wife can do
for the husband is be obedient. The
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The Taming Of The Shrew '
Based on my experience watching The Taming of the Shrew, I do agree with Ms. Ditor. For quite a
bit of the play I was asking myself what was going to happen next, and that helped me to be more
engaged in what was happening with the storytelling of the play. The aspect of wondering what was
going to happen next, whether or not someone already knows the storyline and plot, it something
that comes with the performance and those conducting it. In the audience, I noticed that the energy
flow was greater among the live audience and performers than I have felt it watching films in the
cinema. As the audience reacted to the jokes and interactions of the performers, the performers then
reacted to the audience to create more energy and a more enjoyable
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Taming of the Shrew: Male Domination Essay
Taming of the Shrew: Male Domination
The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, deals with marriage. The ideas explored are
primarily shown through the characters of Petruchio and Katharina. We are introduced to the trials
and tribulation's which present themselves in their everyday lives. The characters bring up a
traditional concept of male domination. Through the play we see the need for domination through
Petruchio, and the methods he uses to dominate. While these ideas of male domination have
remained a constant throughout the years, however recently there has been a change toward equality.
Males continually want to be the best, being a distinct priority in their lives. Knowing that they are
the best acts as a control...show more content...
Putting Katharina in an embarrassing situation by embarrassing himself, Petruchio shows the great
lengths to which he will go to tame her. Testing her mentality to see what she's made of. This scene
is his first attempt to break her wildness.
Starvation is another way Petruchio attempts to tame Katharina. "Here take away this dish (4.3.44)."
He does this to the point that Katharina will do anything for food. "The poorest service is repaid
with thanks, And so shall mine before you touch the meat (4.3.45ā€“46)." His request is for her to
thank him for the food. Katharina has trouble understanding this request because she does not
understand why he is starving her in the first place. After a moment of debate, she gives in to her
hunger and thanks Petruchio. "I thank you, sir (4.3.47)." Upon her thanking him we see the position
of authority he holds over her. He dominates her with this type of treatment, by not allowing her to
think for herself. She is in the same position as a falcon being molded into the perfect pet. He clearly
upholds his higher position in the relationship. These actions show how Petruchio fills his void of
domination, which is the way he has been socially constructed. He is challenging himself and
showing off his male dominance through Katharina.
Many times the void for domination is too great to be filled through taming a wife. If a relationship
reaches the extent of physical violence
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Essay on The Taming of the Shrew; Is Kate Tamed?
Katherina may be a shrew, but Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew does not truly show a study
of how a selfish, spoilt individual is made to conform to society's expectations, or be tamed into a
'proper' woman. At the end of the play, Katherina is not, necessarily, tamedā€“ she just realizes what
she must to do in order to get the things she wants. Two main examples of her submitting to
Petruchio in order to achieve her desires are in Act 4, scene 5, (the sun versus moon scene) as
well as Act 5, scene 2 (the kiss me kate scene and her final monologue). In Act 4, scene 5, the
audience is shown a major part of Petruchio's 'taming' process. Petruchio exclaims: "Good Lord,
how bright and goodly shines the moon!" (iv, v, line 3, page 185)....show more content...
"What, in the midst of the street? / ... / No, sir God forbid, be ashamed to kiss." (v, ii, line 148,
149, page 205). Again, she is threatened with having to return home instead of joining in the
festivities, and Kate gives Petruchio a kiss. This obedient kiss may indicate Petruchio's power
over her, but it was clear to Kate that if she did not give him the kiss he asked for, she would not
have been allowed to proceed to the wedding feast. Kate is smart and cunning and she
manipulated his yearn for her tameness in order to do everything that she wants to while making
him happy and pleased. In addition, Kate's final monologue, also in Act 5, scene 2, tells the
audience a lot; about the play itself, as well as the society in Shakespeare's era. On face value,
Kate's final monologue seems to be a long lecture about serving your husband, no questions asked.
"Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot, / And place your hands below your husband's foot" (v,
ii, lines 92ā€“3, page 221). However, Shakespeare gave Kate the last word in the play, a sign of her
consistent power and control. As well, her monologue can be perceived as quite ironic. Kate is
aware of the beliefs about how women in the household should act and, as clearly portrayed
throughout the entire play, the role Petruchio has been trying to get her to fill. By playing along
fullheartedly with society's expectations, in front of the large audience of guests, Kate becomes
"truly tamed" ā€“ or just incredibly
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The Taming Of The Shrew
In order for two comparative texts to develop ones understanding of shared themes and ideas they
must over come the boundaries of differing contexts and explore the strong parallels between them.
Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew" (1590ā€“1592) was composed during the Elizabethan
era in contrast to Gil Junger's "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999) set around 1990s America.
Although the diverse time periods their correlating plots are indicators of appropriation and
pronounce an intertextual relationship. Both of these texts explore universal themes of gender roles
and social hierarchy. Gender and roles is a prominent parallel throughout the two texts exploring the
stereotypical standards that have been long withstanding in society. Likewise, society has developed
the concept of social hierarchy to categorized people into different groups based on political, and
socioā€“economic status. These themes have significant relevance to society and have reoccurred
through to present day. Despite the differing context and era, an understanding of the corresponding
ideas in these texts may be developed a comparative study.
In their lifetime it is common for a women to experience challenges arising from gender inequality.
Through these texts this continuing problem is displayed in two contrasting time periods, being
substantial to their plots. Issues related to gender are immensely important in "The Taming of the
Shrew", which centers on Petruchio "taming" Katherine and forcing
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Taming Of The Shrew Individualism Essay
William Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew"
William Shakespeare's romantic comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, is an embodiment of the context
in which the text was shaped, the Renaissance. The Renaissance period was a time of progression,
primarily in the areas of art, science, humanism, religion and selfā€“awareness. The Renaissance
focused on taking elements of the past including religion, art and science and adapting them to make
them better. "Humanists" advocated for the freedom of the individual's intellect through acceptance
and celebration. This emphasis on "individualism" however, did not proceed to influence the highly
sexist views of the time, which had transgressed from previous centuries and continued through to
later...show more content...
One exception to this is Katherine. Initially in the play, Katherine has a sharp tongue and has a
dominating persona that she uses to hide her insecurities, but as the play evolves, Shakespeare
develops the character of Katherine. Petruchio appears to have "tamed the shrew" by revealing
Katherine's true self, and maintains the dominating male role in the relationship. Many Renaissance
readers would comment that the dominating member of the relationship was returned to the rightful
gender; a male. Opinions just like this have influenced Shakespeare in his writing, particularly in
Petruchio's plan to tame Katherine like a falcon, as he concludes by stating ,"This is the way to
kill a wife with kindness. And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humor." Petruchio believes that
he has the power and dominance over his wife to completely change her personality, and he is not
judged or criticized for it because of the need for proper women (motherly, a virgin, obeying of her
husband) within 17th century Europe. The inequality of genders can also be seen through the plot of
The Taming of the Shrew. The play ultimately revolves around women, and their portrayal as
objects according to the males. Petruchio seeks Katherine's hand in marriage not for love, but
merely for money, power and commodities. Before even meeting Katherine, Petruchio already
wishes to marry a wealthy woman of Padua, purely for the wealth when he states, "I come to wive it
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The Taming of the Shrew: Katherinaā€“ the Woman Formerly Known as Shrew
The Katherina that gives the final speech in The Taming of the Shrew is quite a departure from the
Katherina we were introduced to in Act I. This new Kate is modest, quiet and obedient. All of these
qualities were not present until Act V. Such a profound personality change prompts the questions
how this happened and what purpose do her changes serve?
The answer to the first question, how did this happen, is simple to answer: Petruchio has tamed her.
His taming tactics are comparable to that of a military officer and a patient mentor: He is ruthless
and unwilling to bend the rules in order to make her learn, however, he is content to let her...show
more content...
However, I believe the opposite. This play makes a statement about shallowness, the partnership of a
married couple and what virtues are truly valuable.
During the course of the entire play, all of the characters except Petruchio treat Kate with disrespect.
Baptista, her father, is especially insensitive to his daughter's feelings. When Petruchio comes to
inquire about Kate, he describes her as fair and virtuous woman. Her father neglects to acknowledge
that it was possible that his daughter could have those fine qualities (II.i.42ā€“63).
While teaching Kate, Petruchio's outbursts were directed at other people, not at her. When speaking
to her, he was careful to be gracious and kind, even when the situation was seemingly humiliating.
Overall, Petruchio was the only character who showed appreciation for Kate. I believe that she
appreciated this, albeit begrudgingly at first, and that this appreciation is what led her to give her
final speech.
In essence, all Petruchio did was teach Kate not to be so brash and rebellious. He showed her how
awful her actions looked, and on her own, she made the decision to change her demeanor. She could
have remained bitter and feisty, but it would have been in vain, and I believe that she realized that
her actions had been no worse than the vanity and shallowness she witnessed in the people of Padua.
As Kate was taming herself, she could see the benefits to
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The Taming of the Shrew: Deciphering Kate's Shrewish Character
The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. It is both a witty and
complex play with characters that are appealing and believable drawn from life and based on a
keen understanding of human nature. One can see this in the main character of the play, the shrew
Katherine. The reasons for Kate's shrewd behavior as well as her tameness have puzzled Critics and
Shakespearean scholars for ages. This essay will attempt to decipher Kate's shrewish character from
the beginning with her father and sister, through the middle with her first meeting of Petruchio, to the
finale where she is finally tamed.
There is a strong...show more content...
Kate is further humiliated when Baptista announces that he desires to hire schoolmasters "to instruct
her [Bianca's] youth." He makes no mention of Katherine's studies, resulting in her humiliation
through public neglect. Any child in her shoes would have rebelled profusely. She is further
deliberately left out when her father directs her to remain behind because he wishes to "commune
with Bianca." Kate then bridles at this and makes her exit, hurt by this display of neglect.
Similarly, Bianca's personality adds to Kate's rebellion. On the surface, Bianca seems to be a
sweet, mild young woman; a "young modest girl," Lucentio calls her. However, in reality, she is a
calculating and sneaky sister. Her deceit and deliberate call for attention increases Kate's
shrewdness. For example, Bianca plays the role of a long suffering saint, implying that the situation
where Kate must marry before she can is difficult for her, but not so for her sister. The girl Lucentio
describes as "modest" does not hesitate to parade her obedience for her father's benefit. She says she
will make her books and instruments her company without complaint. She thus gains the sympathy
of Lucentio, her two suitors, and her father. In turn, Baptista, to satisfy Bianca, attempts to hire her
schoolmasters. Kate, knowing her sister's deception, retaliates in anger and
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The Taming of the Shrew Essay
The Taming of the Shrew
As she screams at her father Katherine says "What will you not suffer me? Nay now I see She is
your treasure, she must have a husband; I must dance barefoot on her wedding day, And for your
love to her lead apes in hell" (Shakespeare 35). Katherine knows that her father favors Bianca
because she is a goody two shoes of daughter. Kate expresses her feelings of having to be married off
first because nobody in town wants her as a wife. Kate does not believe that she should be offered
as a wife and then backed up with a dowry. She is quite opinionated about this, with no fear of who
knows or not. Katherine's views and beliefs of marriage and life set her apart from other women in
Padua. Women, such as...show more content...
I must, forsooth, be forced to give my hand opposed against my heart unto a madā€“brained rudesby
full of spleen, who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure. I told you, I, he was a frantic fool . .
. Now must the world point at poor Katherine and say, "Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife, If it
would please him come and marry her!" (54)
In this passage Katherine is first subjected to Petruchio's plan for taming her. Angered by his
actions she tells the townsfolk of her objection to this marriage. Kate believes that she should be in
love with whom she wants to marry, but this is obviously not the case with Petruchio. She explains
that he will make an awful husband due to his actions and his motive for even marrying her in the
first place. She is embarrassed on her very own wedding day and is ashamed of Petruchio.
After the wedding is over, Kate and Petruchio return to his home in the country. Petruchio begins
to tell his servants all about his plan for Kate. He explains "Another way I have to man my
haggard, to make her come and know her keeper's call: that is, to watch her, as we watch these
kites that bate and beat and will not be obedient" (70). Referring to Kate as a hawk that will obey
its owner's request, he knows that she will eventually obey his request just as the bird obeys. By
keeping close watch over her actions Petruchio will have say on what she can or cannot do. This
will teach her to become submissive to
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Taming Of The Shrew Argumentative Essay On Women
Much of the same rapport between spouses has been carried on in one form or another from
Shakespeare's time into the modern day. Although the domestication of women has been altered to
now include both sexes the concept itself is still in practice. Common in the time of Shakespeare,
men performed the labor outside of the home to support the wife and their children. This led to the
woman's role of subservience to her spouse as well as her role as caretaker not only for her children
but for her spouse as well, striking a type of balance between the two. Modernā€“day domestication
includes similar roles between spouses, but not necessarily tasks performed solely by one or the
other. Today it has become a requirement due to financial restrictions...show more content...
The portrayal of both Katerina and Petruchio are absurd. Her wickedly ill temper and foul mouth
and his chauvinistic domineering attitude exemplify the nature of relationships between men and
women in Shakespeare's day. I believe in Katherina's final speech when she states that women
were not meant to deal with the troubles of the world because they are the softer and weaker of
the two species she is implying that a man's use of brute force against his wife is an act of
cowardice. However, she goes on to say that a woman who is sullen, sour, and peevish is a
nonconforming dissenter who disrupts the natural balance between the marriage of two people. To
have a peaceful marriage the wife must consider the sacrifices the husband is making and in turn, it
is his responsibility to care for her in the correct way. In her offer to place her hand under her
husband's foot and his refusal to allow her to do so, substituting an offer of affection instead,
Petruchio raises Katherina above the level of subjugation. Although their marriage is based on his
patriarchal dominance, Katherina's speech demonstrates Petruchio's consideration for his wife's
treatment and
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Taming Of The Shrew By William Shakespeare Essay
Petruchio's Change In the play Taming of the Shrew, written by William Shakespeare, many
characters are reshaped and given new personality traits. Petruchio is known as being a cocky
man who intends to help tame a shrewish young lady named Kate. There are many critics that
believe Petruchio is solely obnoxious and a bully but through out his interactions with Kate it is
shown that he truly cares about the well being of others. Of course at the beginning of Petruchio's
plan to tame a young lady he is acting off of his confidence and trying to impress those around him
but this soon changes once he begins to interact with Kate. Petruchio proves that his ways have
changed and he is only taming Kate to make her feel better about herself, "Petruchio uses
psychological methods, not aggressive or barbaric ones, to tame Kate, which alls her to still be
witty and intellectual, but also happily married, at the end of the play"(Natale,98). Petruchio truly
believes that by taming Kate he is preforming a good deed and helping her accept herself in this
process. In the beginning, Petruchio is very honest with the audience and shares his thoughts out
loud without caring what others may think. He admits that he loves money more than anything else
in his life "Hortensio, peace. Thou know'st not gold's effect./ Tell me her father's name, and 'tis
enough;/ For I will board her, though she chide as loud"(1.2.71ā€“76.) This is why Petruchio is
motivated to marry Kate which shows his selfish
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Taming Of The Shrew Essay
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare might appeal to Kalidasa because this play can
be used to show the Hindu puranas and respect toward the deities. Kalidasa's name means the
"servant of Kali" which can suggest he is a follower of the deity Durga, who evolves in the form of
Kali to destroy the demons. In the Taming of the Shrew, Katherine can represent the deity Durga/
Kali to reveal the two side of a female character. According to Hinduism, goddess Durga is the
main force behind creation, preservation and destruction; similarly, a female like Katherine can
very destructive by punishing her sister and being rude to her father. However, that same women,
Katherine, can create a beautiful family bond and preserve the relationship with the force of love
and affection. Furthermore, this play can be used to teach lessons toward the Indian society to treat
women with respect and not consider them to be part of secondary status because of gender
division or sexism. It can reveal to...show more content...
On hand, this play can be used to improve the treatment of women, on the other hand it can be
used to reinforce the gender role separation. For example, throughout the play Katherine was
compared with wild animals, who need to be domesticated as Petruchio says "I am he am born to
tame you Kate, and bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as other household Kates."
Based on this quote, Petruchio compares Katherine to a wild cat who is out of control and need to
be taught the boundary of life. This particular section can send a role division message that women
born to be submissive and they need to be tamed if they do not fit the prescribed societal role.
Kalidasa lived around 5th century, when women were not treated equally, this play can catch
audience's attention as a way to reinforce their gender role
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The Taming Of The Shrew Essay
Katharina, also known as Kate, is the main protagonist and her fiery personality is the focal point of
the Shakespeare play, "The Taming of the Shrew". Her outspoken and quickā€“witted disposition is at
odds with polite society thus earning her the offensive moniker 'Shrew', which essentially means a
badā€“tempered despicable old hag. Contrary to belief, she is, for the most part, an opinionated woman
who has the courage to speak those opinions loudly to men that would prefer she'd be quiet.
Throughout the play Kate's demeanor evolves and shifts much like the incredible metamorphosis of
a caterpillar turning into a butterfly; in this case a lovely socially acceptable butterfly. This essay
will analyze Katharina's performance throughout the play hence concluding that she is not befitting
of the moniker Shrew.
To begin with Katharina is a product of her environment and said environment yields more than a
few reasons for Kate to act out. First off, she lives within the structure of a patriarchal social society
where the men have absolute authority over women. The males are dominant while the women are
supposed to be subordinate. Kate's dominant personality is seen as socially unacceptable behavior
for a woman. Her personality makes society treat her with disdain. She's odd, misunderstood and
feeling isolated. This rejection and isolation frustrates the young, opinionated Kate further thus
acting out in shrewish like ways.
Secondly, Kate comes from a broken home. Without a mother,
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Taming Of The Shrew Play Review Essay
For the group performance of "The taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare that my group,
made up of Echo Mendigurenā€“Dalton, Shannon McGarry, Elias Skora, and Katie Calder, did, we
chose Act 2 Scene 1. For props we used a walking stick, a bright green tutu, a purple fedora, a
paper mustache, four old red books, a rubber duck, a cardboard guitar, a background done with
whiteboard markers, a wooden dagger, and a scarf. I was responsible for the walking stick, the
tutu, the fedora, the rubber duck, and the cardboard used to make the guitar. I bought the tutu, and
got the cardboard from work, but the rest of the items I was already in possession of. We met
outside of class twice to practice the scenes and to organize ourselves to the actions we would be
performing, and to also create the guitar and mustache....show more content...
My hands were also tied with the scarf, although we were careful not to make it too tight. The
climax of the first scene, when Shannon tackles me and pretends to prepare to spit on my face,
was not only my favorite part of the entire performance but also one of the hardest pieces to do. It
required that not only I already be away from any possible object of harm, but also on my knees
leaning back with my hands still tied in front of myself when she finishes the last line between
Katherine and Bianca. The first few practices through the scene ended with some rug burns and a
jammed pinkie, but I feel that it correctly exhibited Katherine and Bianca's sisterly relationship.
Shannon brought up the act of being tackled and spit on as something her older sister used to do
with her, so it seemed fitting for the
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Love in The Taming of the Shrew Essay
Love in The Taming of the Shrew
Wonder, for a moment, what Shakespeare means when he uses the word "love", if it really does
exist in any of the relationships in this play, particularly between Petruccio and Katherine. Is love not
a certainty?
Such winds scatters young men through the world To seek their fortunes farther than at home,
Where small experience grows. But in in a few, Signor Hortensio, thus it stands with me: Antonio,
my father, is deceased, And I have thrust myself into this maze Happily to wive and thriveas best I
may....show more content...
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua. (1.2.64ā€“73)
He states that he wants a shrewish and curst woman for a wife, but does not mention before his
marriage with Katherine his eventual taming of her shrewdness. This is the cause of two things:
duty and pride. It is an obvious assumption that one finds it hard to live a desired life with a mate
as wild as Katherine, so in taming her, if he does so succeed, she will be like a trained dog. If you
whip a ferocious dog enough, refuse it the basic necessities of living, the dog will learn to respect
you out of fear and need. Petruccio has ultimate control once they return to his home. Katherine is
fed, clothed, and protected by Petruccio, and he is in control of her fate, happiness, and her life.
Thus, his fortune and comfort are assured.
Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress. Say I command her come to me. (5.2.99ā€“100)
What is your will, sir, that you send for me? (5.2.103ā€“104)
In a betting game with fellow newly weds, Petruccio places a price on his wife's head relying on her
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Essay On The Taming Of The Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew written by Shakespeare, is a play that focuses on the gender and class
variations of the Elizabethan Era. The two main characters, Katherina and Petruchio, have been
used to highlight these inequalities as the play details the tense relationship of these two bold
personalities. Two modern film transformations of the original play have been made in 1967 and
1999, and have allowed viewers to develop an understanding of how the idea of love has changed
since the Elizabethan Era. A common topic frequently argued is whether these two films are an
exercise in misogyny ā€“ or a love story about a man liberating a woman. After studying these two
texts in depth, I believe that the 1967 film, The Taming of the Shrew, is an exercise in misogyny,
while the 1999 film, 10 Things I Hate About You, is a romantic comedy about a teenage boy
liberating a teenage girl.
My first viewing of the 1967 film, The Taming of the Shrew, highlighted the misogynistic treatment
of women in the Elizabethan Era. When Petruchio enters the scene, he is searching for a wife and
does not care about how difficult she may be. When he hears about Katherina and the inheritance he
will receive if he is to...show more content...
This is because 10 Things is a more modern transformation of the original text and relates more to
modern society. I struggled to understand the 1967 transformation because it was not only was
spoken in traditional English, but it was also related more to the Elizabethan Era. Although the two
texts were very different, there are a number of similarities between them. The titles of the films
rhyme with each other and the films are both set in Padua. A number of the characters names are
also related. For example, the modern name for Petruchio is Patrick. In 10 Things I Hate About
You, there are also a number of references to Shakespeare. They
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William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew Over the past 400 or so years since Shakespeare
wrote _The Taming of the Shrew_, many writers, painters, musicians and directors have adapted and
reformed this play of control and subjugation into timeless pieces of art. In _10 Things I Hate About
You_ and Kiss Me Kate from two very different times in the twentieth century, and paintings of
Katherina and Bianca from the late nineteenth century, the creators of these adaptations have chosen
to focus on the role of the two main female characters in the play. The ideas surrounding these
women have changed through the years, from Katherina and Bianca simply being young women
who deviated from the norm of Shakespeare's time to women who embody...show more content...
(2.1. 31ā€“36) Katherina feels that if she does not marry before her sister, then she never will find
true love, and thusly will never be happy. She dislikes the stigma that has been brought upon her by
her unwillingness to settle down with any of the men who have been brought before her, and is
angry with her sister even more for buying into what society has deemed as the right way to do
things. These instances of the two sisters together are few and far between, almost to juxtapose the
two characters even moreso than their very being in the play does. The fact that they eventually
switch roles is another interesting point; Shakespeare presents one as a shrew and the other as the
seemingly perfect woman, but he abruptly switches these roles in the last act, after all the action has
been performed of the men taming the original shrew. The presentations of these two female
characters in a cast full of men is the most poignant part of this whole argument; Shakespeare plays
on the societal conventions to the point where he is able to show how they can also backfire on
someone unintentionally. All of the adaptations that follow highlight the differences between the
characters of the two sisters in this play, and while the eventual status of these characters changes
somewhat; they still manage to showcase the difference between the feminine and the masculine
aspects of the play. Throughout the years critics
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Taming Of The Shrew
Taming of the shrew fun facts:
When people first read The Taming of the Shrew the romantic comedy they didn't believe that
shakespeare actually wrote it. Taming of the Shrew is about a play within a play that takes place
somewhere around the italian renaissance but there wasn't a set place for the Taming of the Shrew.
Also out of the two main characters Katherine and Percutio there is no protagonist. Another fact
about The Taming of the Shrew is that the first print of the play was in 1623.
Characters in Taming of the Shrew.William shakespeare used characters multiple times in many of
his plays.
A character well know in others Percutio a main character in Taming of the Shrew but a smaller
character in other plays including Romeo and Juliet.The...show more content...
A place he wouldn't recognise. Then the people that took christopher told him he was a lord.
They dressed him like one and treated him like a lord.Telling him he had riches and the rest of his
life was a dream. He starts to slowly figure things out when he is told some people are coming to
perform a play for him.( The taming of the Shrew).When it's finally time to perform the play lots of
different people come into or are introduced to the play. Lots of very rich people that arrive with
many servants and things to brag about.One special person that comes into town is a lady by the
name of bianca which a main character at the time Lucentio fell in love with her the first sight he
had of her. She comes to the town trying to marry her daughter. So it would be very hard for
Lucentio to get Bianca to fall in love with him so he becomes Bianca's tutor. Meanwhile one of
Lucentio's friends Tranio is pretending to be Lucentio by dressing up like him and acting like him
so he can get with Bianca's Daughter.
History:
A study done by a few scholars was done and they decided that the Taming of the Shrew originated
from a story just called The Shrew. That dated back earlier that shakespeare's version did. They
started to investigate further into which play came first and they decided the shrew would have had
to come first because some of the lines from The Shrew the earlier play. Were almost identical to the
ones in The Taming of the Shrew. Television and play
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Shakespeare wrote his plays without a thought that they would ever not be performed on stage.
Many of Shakespeare's plays have been performed since his death 400 years ago. And with time
comes advances, as many of Shakespeare's play have been adapted from text to film. Some films
take Shakespeare's original plot and twist it to be more modern, while others stick with the classic.
In Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film version of The Taming of the Shrew, he recreates Shakespeare's loved
play. Although Zeffirelli stays close to Shakespeare's original text, he does omit and add lines
and scenes that weren't originally in the play. Zeffirelli also adds body language and stage
directions where they aren't in the play. These directorial decisions change the way the romance
looks between Katherina and Petruccio in the text. The relationship between the two characters
in Zeffirelli 's film is attempted to be seen as more consensual than in the text. Shakespeare's play
The Taming of the Shrew begins with an Induction that isn't in Zeffirelli's film. The Induction in
the film starts with a beggar named Christopher Sly who is very drunk and hasn't paid his bill. He
gets kicked out of the tavern and picked up by a Lord who decides to play a trick on Sly. The trick
that the Lord plays on Sly is to have him believe he has been sick for so long that he has become a
Lord himself. The Lord decides to treat Sly to a play, which is The Taming of the Shrew.
Shakespeare decides to use this as a form
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Taming Of The Shrew Essays

  • 1. The Taming Of The Shrew Essay The Taming of the Shrew Essay On the The Taming of the Shrew's very surface, it is seen as a misogynistic attempt to enforce gender roles and stereotypes by showcasing the transformation of a fiery, freeā€“spirited woman to a silenced, subjugated wife. The play revolves around the two protagonists, Katharina and Petruchio, as the pair battle over psychological domination. The residents of Padua perceive Kate as a devious and hateful woman towards the beginning of the play, earning her the seemingly well appropriate title of a "shrew". Evidence of her unkindly disposition is seen in 1.1.69ā€“71 by Tranio and Lucentio, two men new to the area, as they observe a scene unfold from afar. Tranio refers to Kate as "stark mad, or wonderful froward,"...show more content... Kate seems to fit both of these definitions, and examples of her violent temperament are in 2.1.1ā€“23 as she binds Bianca's hands and flings her around while forcefully questioning her about her suitors. On the outside it seems as if Kate is purely torturing Bianca out of jealousy, but deeper analysis into the text suggests a far deeper manipulation on Bianca's part. Bianca, knowing that there are many men in love with her, plays with her sister's heart and makes her jealous. She acts as if she has many suitors with whom she does not know what to do with, and that Kate can choose from her leftovers. When Kate questions Bianca about her affections towards her suitor Hortensio, Bianca replies with false sweetness and innocence, "If you affect him, sister, here I swear I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have him." The verbal jest begins again, this time over Bianca's second suitor Gremio. This sisterly battle is truly psychological warfare, with a distinct difference between the opposing sides. Like Kate, Bianca is manipulative and harsh, yet she differs from her sister in how she shows it. Kate wears her disposition on her sleeve, and has never had a reason to be hide it away or be ashamed of it. Bianca, on the other hand, interweaves her poisonous words with sweet honey, entrancing everyone, and stays in everyone's good graces. By acting nice and innocent, Bianca secures Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Taming Of The Shrew Character Analysis Essay "The Taming of the Shrew" was a play written by William Shakespeare in the late sixteenth century. The play features the characters Bianca Minola, who is the younger daughter that is loved by the city that she resides in for her beauty and is the female every nonā€“married male in the city wants to marry; her older sister Katherina Minola, who is seen as a devilish woman that no one will marry due to her anger and the fear she strikes into the men; their father Baptista Minola; who won't let anyone marry Bianca until he finds someone who will marry Katherina; Petruchio, who marries Katherina due to the fact that he is given money by Baptista and he finds her a marvelous woman, even if he never says such a thing, as it is hinted at by his...show more content... Thou know'st not gold's effect. Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough..." (Shakespeare 1.2.94ā€“95) Hortensio then informs Petruchio about her father by saying, "Her father is Baptista Minola..." (Shakespeare 1.2.98) Petruchio then states that "I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her..." (Shakespeare 1.2.104) which then enacts the second act where Petruchio tells Baptista about how he wishes to marry Katherina and it is in this act where Petruchio meets Katherina and tells her father that they are going to be wed that Sunday. In the next act, it is the wedding day, and Katherina marries Petruchio and we see Katherina go with Petruchio, and it's at this time where we see Petruchio make Katherina more civil and not lash out at him. During this time, we also see Bianca get closer to Lucentio, and they begin to build a relationship while he is tutoring her. Eventually, the two elope, but it turns out Bianca is hard to control and was a shrew like her sister once had been. Katherina then gives a speech about how women should be obedient to their husbands and do what they ask of them because they do so much for them, the least the wife can do for the husband is be obedient. The Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. The Taming Of The Shrew ' Based on my experience watching The Taming of the Shrew, I do agree with Ms. Ditor. For quite a bit of the play I was asking myself what was going to happen next, and that helped me to be more engaged in what was happening with the storytelling of the play. The aspect of wondering what was going to happen next, whether or not someone already knows the storyline and plot, it something that comes with the performance and those conducting it. In the audience, I noticed that the energy flow was greater among the live audience and performers than I have felt it watching films in the cinema. As the audience reacted to the jokes and interactions of the performers, the performers then reacted to the audience to create more energy and a more enjoyable Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. Taming of the Shrew: Male Domination Essay Taming of the Shrew: Male Domination The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, deals with marriage. The ideas explored are primarily shown through the characters of Petruchio and Katharina. We are introduced to the trials and tribulation's which present themselves in their everyday lives. The characters bring up a traditional concept of male domination. Through the play we see the need for domination through Petruchio, and the methods he uses to dominate. While these ideas of male domination have remained a constant throughout the years, however recently there has been a change toward equality. Males continually want to be the best, being a distinct priority in their lives. Knowing that they are the best acts as a control...show more content... Putting Katharina in an embarrassing situation by embarrassing himself, Petruchio shows the great lengths to which he will go to tame her. Testing her mentality to see what she's made of. This scene is his first attempt to break her wildness. Starvation is another way Petruchio attempts to tame Katharina. "Here take away this dish (4.3.44)." He does this to the point that Katharina will do anything for food. "The poorest service is repaid with thanks, And so shall mine before you touch the meat (4.3.45ā€“46)." His request is for her to thank him for the food. Katharina has trouble understanding this request because she does not understand why he is starving her in the first place. After a moment of debate, she gives in to her hunger and thanks Petruchio. "I thank you, sir (4.3.47)." Upon her thanking him we see the position of authority he holds over her. He dominates her with this type of treatment, by not allowing her to think for herself. She is in the same position as a falcon being molded into the perfect pet. He clearly upholds his higher position in the relationship. These actions show how Petruchio fills his void of domination, which is the way he has been socially constructed. He is challenging himself and showing off his male dominance through Katharina. Many times the void for domination is too great to be filled through taming a wife. If a relationship reaches the extent of physical violence Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. Essay on The Taming of the Shrew; Is Kate Tamed? Katherina may be a shrew, but Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew does not truly show a study of how a selfish, spoilt individual is made to conform to society's expectations, or be tamed into a 'proper' woman. At the end of the play, Katherina is not, necessarily, tamedā€“ she just realizes what she must to do in order to get the things she wants. Two main examples of her submitting to Petruchio in order to achieve her desires are in Act 4, scene 5, (the sun versus moon scene) as well as Act 5, scene 2 (the kiss me kate scene and her final monologue). In Act 4, scene 5, the audience is shown a major part of Petruchio's 'taming' process. Petruchio exclaims: "Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!" (iv, v, line 3, page 185)....show more content... "What, in the midst of the street? / ... / No, sir God forbid, be ashamed to kiss." (v, ii, line 148, 149, page 205). Again, she is threatened with having to return home instead of joining in the festivities, and Kate gives Petruchio a kiss. This obedient kiss may indicate Petruchio's power over her, but it was clear to Kate that if she did not give him the kiss he asked for, she would not have been allowed to proceed to the wedding feast. Kate is smart and cunning and she manipulated his yearn for her tameness in order to do everything that she wants to while making him happy and pleased. In addition, Kate's final monologue, also in Act 5, scene 2, tells the audience a lot; about the play itself, as well as the society in Shakespeare's era. On face value, Kate's final monologue seems to be a long lecture about serving your husband, no questions asked. "Then vail your stomachs, for it is no boot, / And place your hands below your husband's foot" (v, ii, lines 92ā€“3, page 221). However, Shakespeare gave Kate the last word in the play, a sign of her consistent power and control. As well, her monologue can be perceived as quite ironic. Kate is aware of the beliefs about how women in the household should act and, as clearly portrayed throughout the entire play, the role Petruchio has been trying to get her to fill. By playing along fullheartedly with society's expectations, in front of the large audience of guests, Kate becomes "truly tamed" ā€“ or just incredibly Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. The Taming Of The Shrew In order for two comparative texts to develop ones understanding of shared themes and ideas they must over come the boundaries of differing contexts and explore the strong parallels between them. Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew" (1590ā€“1592) was composed during the Elizabethan era in contrast to Gil Junger's "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999) set around 1990s America. Although the diverse time periods their correlating plots are indicators of appropriation and pronounce an intertextual relationship. Both of these texts explore universal themes of gender roles and social hierarchy. Gender and roles is a prominent parallel throughout the two texts exploring the stereotypical standards that have been long withstanding in society. Likewise, society has developed the concept of social hierarchy to categorized people into different groups based on political, and socioā€“economic status. These themes have significant relevance to society and have reoccurred through to present day. Despite the differing context and era, an understanding of the corresponding ideas in these texts may be developed a comparative study. In their lifetime it is common for a women to experience challenges arising from gender inequality. Through these texts this continuing problem is displayed in two contrasting time periods, being substantial to their plots. Issues related to gender are immensely important in "The Taming of the Shrew", which centers on Petruchio "taming" Katherine and forcing Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Taming Of The Shrew Individualism Essay William Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" William Shakespeare's romantic comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, is an embodiment of the context in which the text was shaped, the Renaissance. The Renaissance period was a time of progression, primarily in the areas of art, science, humanism, religion and selfā€“awareness. The Renaissance focused on taking elements of the past including religion, art and science and adapting them to make them better. "Humanists" advocated for the freedom of the individual's intellect through acceptance and celebration. This emphasis on "individualism" however, did not proceed to influence the highly sexist views of the time, which had transgressed from previous centuries and continued through to later...show more content... One exception to this is Katherine. Initially in the play, Katherine has a sharp tongue and has a dominating persona that she uses to hide her insecurities, but as the play evolves, Shakespeare develops the character of Katherine. Petruchio appears to have "tamed the shrew" by revealing Katherine's true self, and maintains the dominating male role in the relationship. Many Renaissance readers would comment that the dominating member of the relationship was returned to the rightful gender; a male. Opinions just like this have influenced Shakespeare in his writing, particularly in Petruchio's plan to tame Katherine like a falcon, as he concludes by stating ,"This is the way to kill a wife with kindness. And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humor." Petruchio believes that he has the power and dominance over his wife to completely change her personality, and he is not judged or criticized for it because of the need for proper women (motherly, a virgin, obeying of her husband) within 17th century Europe. The inequality of genders can also be seen through the plot of The Taming of the Shrew. The play ultimately revolves around women, and their portrayal as objects according to the males. Petruchio seeks Katherine's hand in marriage not for love, but merely for money, power and commodities. Before even meeting Katherine, Petruchio already wishes to marry a wealthy woman of Padua, purely for the wealth when he states, "I come to wive it Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. The Taming of the Shrew: Katherinaā€“ the Woman Formerly Known as Shrew The Katherina that gives the final speech in The Taming of the Shrew is quite a departure from the Katherina we were introduced to in Act I. This new Kate is modest, quiet and obedient. All of these qualities were not present until Act V. Such a profound personality change prompts the questions how this happened and what purpose do her changes serve? The answer to the first question, how did this happen, is simple to answer: Petruchio has tamed her. His taming tactics are comparable to that of a military officer and a patient mentor: He is ruthless and unwilling to bend the rules in order to make her learn, however, he is content to let her...show more content... However, I believe the opposite. This play makes a statement about shallowness, the partnership of a married couple and what virtues are truly valuable. During the course of the entire play, all of the characters except Petruchio treat Kate with disrespect. Baptista, her father, is especially insensitive to his daughter's feelings. When Petruchio comes to inquire about Kate, he describes her as fair and virtuous woman. Her father neglects to acknowledge that it was possible that his daughter could have those fine qualities (II.i.42ā€“63). While teaching Kate, Petruchio's outbursts were directed at other people, not at her. When speaking to her, he was careful to be gracious and kind, even when the situation was seemingly humiliating. Overall, Petruchio was the only character who showed appreciation for Kate. I believe that she appreciated this, albeit begrudgingly at first, and that this appreciation is what led her to give her final speech. In essence, all Petruchio did was teach Kate not to be so brash and rebellious. He showed her how awful her actions looked, and on her own, she made the decision to change her demeanor. She could have remained bitter and feisty, but it would have been in vain, and I believe that she realized that her actions had been no worse than the vanity and shallowness she witnessed in the people of Padua.
  • 9. As Kate was taming herself, she could see the benefits to Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. The Taming of the Shrew: Deciphering Kate's Shrewish Character The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. It is both a witty and complex play with characters that are appealing and believable drawn from life and based on a keen understanding of human nature. One can see this in the main character of the play, the shrew Katherine. The reasons for Kate's shrewd behavior as well as her tameness have puzzled Critics and Shakespearean scholars for ages. This essay will attempt to decipher Kate's shrewish character from the beginning with her father and sister, through the middle with her first meeting of Petruchio, to the finale where she is finally tamed. There is a strong...show more content... Kate is further humiliated when Baptista announces that he desires to hire schoolmasters "to instruct her [Bianca's] youth." He makes no mention of Katherine's studies, resulting in her humiliation through public neglect. Any child in her shoes would have rebelled profusely. She is further deliberately left out when her father directs her to remain behind because he wishes to "commune with Bianca." Kate then bridles at this and makes her exit, hurt by this display of neglect. Similarly, Bianca's personality adds to Kate's rebellion. On the surface, Bianca seems to be a sweet, mild young woman; a "young modest girl," Lucentio calls her. However, in reality, she is a calculating and sneaky sister. Her deceit and deliberate call for attention increases Kate's shrewdness. For example, Bianca plays the role of a long suffering saint, implying that the situation where Kate must marry before she can is difficult for her, but not so for her sister. The girl Lucentio describes as "modest" does not hesitate to parade her obedience for her father's benefit. She says she will make her books and instruments her company without complaint. She thus gains the sympathy of Lucentio, her two suitors, and her father. In turn, Baptista, to satisfy Bianca, attempts to hire her schoolmasters. Kate, knowing her sister's deception, retaliates in anger and Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. The Taming of the Shrew Essay The Taming of the Shrew As she screams at her father Katherine says "What will you not suffer me? Nay now I see She is your treasure, she must have a husband; I must dance barefoot on her wedding day, And for your love to her lead apes in hell" (Shakespeare 35). Katherine knows that her father favors Bianca because she is a goody two shoes of daughter. Kate expresses her feelings of having to be married off first because nobody in town wants her as a wife. Kate does not believe that she should be offered as a wife and then backed up with a dowry. She is quite opinionated about this, with no fear of who knows or not. Katherine's views and beliefs of marriage and life set her apart from other women in Padua. Women, such as...show more content... I must, forsooth, be forced to give my hand opposed against my heart unto a madā€“brained rudesby full of spleen, who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure. I told you, I, he was a frantic fool . . . Now must the world point at poor Katherine and say, "Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife, If it would please him come and marry her!" (54) In this passage Katherine is first subjected to Petruchio's plan for taming her. Angered by his actions she tells the townsfolk of her objection to this marriage. Kate believes that she should be in love with whom she wants to marry, but this is obviously not the case with Petruchio. She explains that he will make an awful husband due to his actions and his motive for even marrying her in the first place. She is embarrassed on her very own wedding day and is ashamed of Petruchio. After the wedding is over, Kate and Petruchio return to his home in the country. Petruchio begins to tell his servants all about his plan for Kate. He explains "Another way I have to man my haggard, to make her come and know her keeper's call: that is, to watch her, as we watch these kites that bate and beat and will not be obedient" (70). Referring to Kate as a hawk that will obey its owner's request, he knows that she will eventually obey his request just as the bird obeys. By keeping close watch over her actions Petruchio will have say on what she can or cannot do. This will teach her to become submissive to Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Taming Of The Shrew Argumentative Essay On Women Much of the same rapport between spouses has been carried on in one form or another from Shakespeare's time into the modern day. Although the domestication of women has been altered to now include both sexes the concept itself is still in practice. Common in the time of Shakespeare, men performed the labor outside of the home to support the wife and their children. This led to the woman's role of subservience to her spouse as well as her role as caretaker not only for her children but for her spouse as well, striking a type of balance between the two. Modernā€“day domestication includes similar roles between spouses, but not necessarily tasks performed solely by one or the other. Today it has become a requirement due to financial restrictions...show more content... The portrayal of both Katerina and Petruchio are absurd. Her wickedly ill temper and foul mouth and his chauvinistic domineering attitude exemplify the nature of relationships between men and women in Shakespeare's day. I believe in Katherina's final speech when she states that women were not meant to deal with the troubles of the world because they are the softer and weaker of the two species she is implying that a man's use of brute force against his wife is an act of cowardice. However, she goes on to say that a woman who is sullen, sour, and peevish is a nonconforming dissenter who disrupts the natural balance between the marriage of two people. To have a peaceful marriage the wife must consider the sacrifices the husband is making and in turn, it is his responsibility to care for her in the correct way. In her offer to place her hand under her husband's foot and his refusal to allow her to do so, substituting an offer of affection instead, Petruchio raises Katherina above the level of subjugation. Although their marriage is based on his patriarchal dominance, Katherina's speech demonstrates Petruchio's consideration for his wife's treatment and Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. Taming Of The Shrew By William Shakespeare Essay Petruchio's Change In the play Taming of the Shrew, written by William Shakespeare, many characters are reshaped and given new personality traits. Petruchio is known as being a cocky man who intends to help tame a shrewish young lady named Kate. There are many critics that believe Petruchio is solely obnoxious and a bully but through out his interactions with Kate it is shown that he truly cares about the well being of others. Of course at the beginning of Petruchio's plan to tame a young lady he is acting off of his confidence and trying to impress those around him but this soon changes once he begins to interact with Kate. Petruchio proves that his ways have changed and he is only taming Kate to make her feel better about herself, "Petruchio uses psychological methods, not aggressive or barbaric ones, to tame Kate, which alls her to still be witty and intellectual, but also happily married, at the end of the play"(Natale,98). Petruchio truly believes that by taming Kate he is preforming a good deed and helping her accept herself in this process. In the beginning, Petruchio is very honest with the audience and shares his thoughts out loud without caring what others may think. He admits that he loves money more than anything else in his life "Hortensio, peace. Thou know'st not gold's effect./ Tell me her father's name, and 'tis enough;/ For I will board her, though she chide as loud"(1.2.71ā€“76.) This is why Petruchio is motivated to marry Kate which shows his selfish Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. Taming Of The Shrew Essay The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare might appeal to Kalidasa because this play can be used to show the Hindu puranas and respect toward the deities. Kalidasa's name means the "servant of Kali" which can suggest he is a follower of the deity Durga, who evolves in the form of Kali to destroy the demons. In the Taming of the Shrew, Katherine can represent the deity Durga/ Kali to reveal the two side of a female character. According to Hinduism, goddess Durga is the main force behind creation, preservation and destruction; similarly, a female like Katherine can very destructive by punishing her sister and being rude to her father. However, that same women, Katherine, can create a beautiful family bond and preserve the relationship with the force of love and affection. Furthermore, this play can be used to teach lessons toward the Indian society to treat women with respect and not consider them to be part of secondary status because of gender division or sexism. It can reveal to...show more content... On hand, this play can be used to improve the treatment of women, on the other hand it can be used to reinforce the gender role separation. For example, throughout the play Katherine was compared with wild animals, who need to be domesticated as Petruchio says "I am he am born to tame you Kate, and bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as other household Kates." Based on this quote, Petruchio compares Katherine to a wild cat who is out of control and need to be taught the boundary of life. This particular section can send a role division message that women born to be submissive and they need to be tamed if they do not fit the prescribed societal role. Kalidasa lived around 5th century, when women were not treated equally, this play can catch audience's attention as a way to reinforce their gender role Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. The Taming Of The Shrew Essay Katharina, also known as Kate, is the main protagonist and her fiery personality is the focal point of the Shakespeare play, "The Taming of the Shrew". Her outspoken and quickā€“witted disposition is at odds with polite society thus earning her the offensive moniker 'Shrew', which essentially means a badā€“tempered despicable old hag. Contrary to belief, she is, for the most part, an opinionated woman who has the courage to speak those opinions loudly to men that would prefer she'd be quiet. Throughout the play Kate's demeanor evolves and shifts much like the incredible metamorphosis of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly; in this case a lovely socially acceptable butterfly. This essay will analyze Katharina's performance throughout the play hence concluding that she is not befitting of the moniker Shrew. To begin with Katharina is a product of her environment and said environment yields more than a few reasons for Kate to act out. First off, she lives within the structure of a patriarchal social society where the men have absolute authority over women. The males are dominant while the women are supposed to be subordinate. Kate's dominant personality is seen as socially unacceptable behavior for a woman. Her personality makes society treat her with disdain. She's odd, misunderstood and feeling isolated. This rejection and isolation frustrates the young, opinionated Kate further thus acting out in shrewish like ways. Secondly, Kate comes from a broken home. Without a mother, Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Taming Of The Shrew Play Review Essay For the group performance of "The taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare that my group, made up of Echo Mendigurenā€“Dalton, Shannon McGarry, Elias Skora, and Katie Calder, did, we chose Act 2 Scene 1. For props we used a walking stick, a bright green tutu, a purple fedora, a paper mustache, four old red books, a rubber duck, a cardboard guitar, a background done with whiteboard markers, a wooden dagger, and a scarf. I was responsible for the walking stick, the tutu, the fedora, the rubber duck, and the cardboard used to make the guitar. I bought the tutu, and got the cardboard from work, but the rest of the items I was already in possession of. We met outside of class twice to practice the scenes and to organize ourselves to the actions we would be performing, and to also create the guitar and mustache....show more content... My hands were also tied with the scarf, although we were careful not to make it too tight. The climax of the first scene, when Shannon tackles me and pretends to prepare to spit on my face, was not only my favorite part of the entire performance but also one of the hardest pieces to do. It required that not only I already be away from any possible object of harm, but also on my knees leaning back with my hands still tied in front of myself when she finishes the last line between Katherine and Bianca. The first few practices through the scene ended with some rug burns and a jammed pinkie, but I feel that it correctly exhibited Katherine and Bianca's sisterly relationship. Shannon brought up the act of being tackled and spit on as something her older sister used to do with her, so it seemed fitting for the Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 17. Love in The Taming of the Shrew Essay Love in The Taming of the Shrew Wonder, for a moment, what Shakespeare means when he uses the word "love", if it really does exist in any of the relationships in this play, particularly between Petruccio and Katherine. Is love not a certainty? Such winds scatters young men through the world To seek their fortunes farther than at home, Where small experience grows. But in in a few, Signor Hortensio, thus it stands with me: Antonio, my father, is deceased, And I have thrust myself into this maze Happily to wive and thriveas best I may....show more content... I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua. (1.2.64ā€“73) He states that he wants a shrewish and curst woman for a wife, but does not mention before his marriage with Katherine his eventual taming of her shrewdness. This is the cause of two things: duty and pride. It is an obvious assumption that one finds it hard to live a desired life with a mate as wild as Katherine, so in taming her, if he does so succeed, she will be like a trained dog. If you whip a ferocious dog enough, refuse it the basic necessities of living, the dog will learn to respect you out of fear and need. Petruccio has ultimate control once they return to his home. Katherine is fed, clothed, and protected by Petruccio, and he is in control of her fate, happiness, and her life. Thus, his fortune and comfort are assured. Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress. Say I command her come to me. (5.2.99ā€“100) What is your will, sir, that you send for me? (5.2.103ā€“104) In a betting game with fellow newly weds, Petruccio places a price on his wife's head relying on her Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 18. Essay On The Taming Of The Shrew The Taming of the Shrew written by Shakespeare, is a play that focuses on the gender and class variations of the Elizabethan Era. The two main characters, Katherina and Petruchio, have been used to highlight these inequalities as the play details the tense relationship of these two bold personalities. Two modern film transformations of the original play have been made in 1967 and 1999, and have allowed viewers to develop an understanding of how the idea of love has changed since the Elizabethan Era. A common topic frequently argued is whether these two films are an exercise in misogyny ā€“ or a love story about a man liberating a woman. After studying these two texts in depth, I believe that the 1967 film, The Taming of the Shrew, is an exercise in misogyny, while the 1999 film, 10 Things I Hate About You, is a romantic comedy about a teenage boy liberating a teenage girl. My first viewing of the 1967 film, The Taming of the Shrew, highlighted the misogynistic treatment of women in the Elizabethan Era. When Petruchio enters the scene, he is searching for a wife and does not care about how difficult she may be. When he hears about Katherina and the inheritance he will receive if he is to...show more content... This is because 10 Things is a more modern transformation of the original text and relates more to modern society. I struggled to understand the 1967 transformation because it was not only was spoken in traditional English, but it was also related more to the Elizabethan Era. Although the two texts were very different, there are a number of similarities between them. The titles of the films rhyme with each other and the films are both set in Padua. A number of the characters names are also related. For example, the modern name for Petruchio is Patrick. In 10 Things I Hate About You, there are also a number of references to Shakespeare. They Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew Over the past 400 or so years since Shakespeare wrote _The Taming of the Shrew_, many writers, painters, musicians and directors have adapted and reformed this play of control and subjugation into timeless pieces of art. In _10 Things I Hate About You_ and Kiss Me Kate from two very different times in the twentieth century, and paintings of Katherina and Bianca from the late nineteenth century, the creators of these adaptations have chosen to focus on the role of the two main female characters in the play. The ideas surrounding these women have changed through the years, from Katherina and Bianca simply being young women who deviated from the norm of Shakespeare's time to women who embody...show more content... (2.1. 31ā€“36) Katherina feels that if she does not marry before her sister, then she never will find true love, and thusly will never be happy. She dislikes the stigma that has been brought upon her by her unwillingness to settle down with any of the men who have been brought before her, and is angry with her sister even more for buying into what society has deemed as the right way to do things. These instances of the two sisters together are few and far between, almost to juxtapose the two characters even moreso than their very being in the play does. The fact that they eventually switch roles is another interesting point; Shakespeare presents one as a shrew and the other as the seemingly perfect woman, but he abruptly switches these roles in the last act, after all the action has been performed of the men taming the original shrew. The presentations of these two female characters in a cast full of men is the most poignant part of this whole argument; Shakespeare plays on the societal conventions to the point where he is able to show how they can also backfire on someone unintentionally. All of the adaptations that follow highlight the differences between the characters of the two sisters in this play, and while the eventual status of these characters changes somewhat; they still manage to showcase the difference between the feminine and the masculine aspects of the play. Throughout the years critics Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 20. Taming Of The Shrew Taming of the shrew fun facts: When people first read The Taming of the Shrew the romantic comedy they didn't believe that shakespeare actually wrote it. Taming of the Shrew is about a play within a play that takes place somewhere around the italian renaissance but there wasn't a set place for the Taming of the Shrew. Also out of the two main characters Katherine and Percutio there is no protagonist. Another fact about The Taming of the Shrew is that the first print of the play was in 1623. Characters in Taming of the Shrew.William shakespeare used characters multiple times in many of his plays. A character well know in others Percutio a main character in Taming of the Shrew but a smaller character in other plays including Romeo and Juliet.The...show more content... A place he wouldn't recognise. Then the people that took christopher told him he was a lord. They dressed him like one and treated him like a lord.Telling him he had riches and the rest of his life was a dream. He starts to slowly figure things out when he is told some people are coming to perform a play for him.( The taming of the Shrew).When it's finally time to perform the play lots of different people come into or are introduced to the play. Lots of very rich people that arrive with many servants and things to brag about.One special person that comes into town is a lady by the name of bianca which a main character at the time Lucentio fell in love with her the first sight he had of her. She comes to the town trying to marry her daughter. So it would be very hard for Lucentio to get Bianca to fall in love with him so he becomes Bianca's tutor. Meanwhile one of Lucentio's friends Tranio is pretending to be Lucentio by dressing up like him and acting like him so he can get with Bianca's Daughter. History: A study done by a few scholars was done and they decided that the Taming of the Shrew originated from a story just called The Shrew. That dated back earlier that shakespeare's version did. They started to investigate further into which play came first and they decided the shrew would have had to come first because some of the lines from The Shrew the earlier play. Were almost identical to the ones in The Taming of the Shrew. Television and play Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 21. Shakespeare wrote his plays without a thought that they would ever not be performed on stage. Many of Shakespeare's plays have been performed since his death 400 years ago. And with time comes advances, as many of Shakespeare's play have been adapted from text to film. Some films take Shakespeare's original plot and twist it to be more modern, while others stick with the classic. In Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film version of The Taming of the Shrew, he recreates Shakespeare's loved play. Although Zeffirelli stays close to Shakespeare's original text, he does omit and add lines and scenes that weren't originally in the play. Zeffirelli also adds body language and stage directions where they aren't in the play. These directorial decisions change the way the romance looks between Katherina and Petruccio in the text. The relationship between the two characters in Zeffirelli 's film is attempted to be seen as more consensual than in the text. Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew begins with an Induction that isn't in Zeffirelli's film. The Induction in the film starts with a beggar named Christopher Sly who is very drunk and hasn't paid his bill. He gets kicked out of the tavern and picked up by a Lord who decides to play a trick on Sly. The trick that the Lord plays on Sly is to have him believe he has been sick for so long that he has become a Lord himself. The Lord decides to treat Sly to a play, which is The Taming of the Shrew. Shakespeare decides to use this as a form Get more content on HelpWriting.net