How Does Shakespeare Present Marriage in the Taming of the Shrew?

The relationship between Kate and Petruchio is completely different from the love of Bianca and Lucentio. "Kate is a neglected, hurt, and humiliated daughter who disguises her grief from herself as well as others with a noisy shrewish temper" (Craig 342). She has a fiery disposition and a reputation for reacting violently to people. The challenge of capturing her is Petruchio's real attraction to her. He can be seen as a rough, unfeeling, greedy, "swash-buckler" who cares nothing for Kate's feelings (so long as she has money). "

The rhetoric appeal of ethos appears here as Katharina calls out the other wives on their rudeness and attitude; “Come, come, you forward and unable worms! My mind hath been has big as one of yours, my heart as great, my reason haply more,” (5.2.34-36) Katharina is explaining that she was once just like Bianca and the widow, but is no more. She has changed into a woman who respects and obeys her husband’s every command, as she realizes that in this metaphor, “But now I see our lances are but straw” (5.2.38) that no matter what she complains about, it would be pointless. Her anger is as strong as a straw compared to her gracious and loving lord who cares for her every wish. She understands that Petruchio is the one in charge.

The first comedic device used in The Taming of the Shrew is family drama. Katherina can’t find a husband she likes, and no man likes her. Bianca is her younger sister and wants to marry but can’t until Katharina does. This puts tension on their relationship and also their father’s. In this line, ““Are you so formal, sir? Well, I must wait. And watch withal, for, but I be

The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, and has weathered well into our modern era. For all the praises it has garnered throughout the centuries, it is curious to note that many have considered it to be one of his most controversial in his treatment of women. The "taming" of Katherine has been contended as being excessively cruel by many writers and critics of the modern era. George Bernard Shaw himself pressed for its banning during the 19th century. The subservience of Katherine has been labeled as barbaric, antiquated, and generally demeaning. The play centers on her and her lack of suitors. It establishes in the first act her shrewish demeanor and its repercussions on her family. It is only with the introduction of the witty Petruchio as her suitor, that one begins to see an evolution in her character. Through an elaborate charade of humiliating behavior, Petruchio humbles her and by the end

The idea of marriage that is presented in the play differs from what we see marriage as

Centuries ago in Elizabethan England there were many traditions about marriage and the treatment of women. One strong tradition of these times was the practice of marriage between races. Interracial marriages were considered extremely taboo. (High Beam). In this era marriages were arranged by the parents with strong help from the local church. The individuals had little choice as to who they would marry. (Elizabethan England Life). Yet another example of these traditions was the respectable treatment of women. While the husband was in charge of his wife, as was the father, the husband were expected to treat the women right (Elizbethi). In spurning all of these traditions, Shakespeare demonstrates a view of marriage far different from that

The 1500’s play focuses more on marriage, as like teenage dating in this modern era, for the play’s intended audience, it was marriage that the Elizabethan era society was preoccupied on, and was something they felt they “had to do”. The difference between relationships and marriage is shown

Petruchio also manipulates Kate psychologically by pivoting her thoughts in the direction of them being suited to each other for marriage. When he says “I am too young for you” (Act 2 Scene 1, 250), he starts making her feel old and unwanted. This comment makes her mad, and causes her to feel the need to prove that he is old, which she accomplishes in the next line by saying “Yet you are withered” (II, 1; 251). Thus she unconsciously admits that he is at least suited to her in age for marriage, if nothing else. By complimenting her, Petruchio is also able to play with her psychologically. He begins by saying she is beautiful, nice, and modest. Even though he may not mean it, and Kate probably suspects he is lying, it still has a positive effect on her. Complements boost her confidence and make her feel wanted, which is a new experience for her. Such complements eventually lead her to believe that he may actually love her, or that there is a possibility of love between them in the future. This method of manipulation does have its effects, because she only opposes their marriage once in front of her father, and after Petruchio announces that they have decided that she should “still be curst [to him] in company” (II, 1; 324), but they really love each other, she offers no counterarguments.

Marriage in William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew At the time Shakespeare wrote The Taming of the Shrew the idealistics

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.

Marriage is presented in Shakespeare?s play The Taming of the Shrew, in a complex manner allowing readers to view the play literally as a brutal taming or ironically as a subversive manifesto. Yet, Shakespeare intends to present marriage to be full of mutual love where neither male nor female dominate but compliment each other thriving together in a loved filled relationship. The portrayal of a deep understanding, which exists in an analogical relationship and the gentle transformation, which occurs in marriage, clearly outlines marriage in the play to be a celebration of a mutual love relationship within the patriarchal foundations of society.

However, the comedic merit of Shakespeare's entertaining plays can still be appreciated, but possibly only as satire. Shakespeare's masterfully used devices such a role-playing, role reversal and colorful characters ascertain the lasting quality in his works. However the historic reference that men should marry for money (the dowry) and women should marry to avoid being “an old maid” is nearly unfounded today (Shakepeare). Therefore, well-to-do women and even some not-so-well-to-do, still expect men to at least bring equal to the table in order to be considered as marriage material and if they can not, the men only gets what he has brought and not a penny more when they part company. Most women today pride themselves in being strong and able to take care of themselves and do as they please. Unlike Shakespeare's era, the stigmatization of single women being “old maids” does not exist. If anything, the so-called tables have inched towards being completely turned. The Kate's of today are no longer shrews; they are shrewd. They no longer wait to be rescued for they are not in danger of being an “old maid.” Women no longer have to be chosen, and oftentimes they choose.

Ironically, they prove to be perfect for one another. Though Katharina seems heartless and unemotional, her one true fear is losing Petruchio. " It is surely worth remarking that Kate has only one true moment of agony, when Petruchio's deliberately tardy arrival for their wedding makes her feel jilted" (Bloom 30-31). Their mutual roughness seems to be their way of flirtation. Though Katharina feels that Petruchio is "a mad rudesby full of spleen," she realizes that she is truly in love and is lucky to have any husband at all, and will not, as the villagers say, "lead apes to hell" (Draper 95). The ironic counterpoint of their relationship is that while Katharina is easily tamed, Bianca, who needs no taming, is difficult for Lucentio to tolerate.

The Taming of the Shrew written by William Shakespeare obtains various interpretations that are viewed as debatable. The novel involves men attempting to ask for Baptista’s blessing to marry his youngest daughter, Bianca. However, the oldest daughter Katherine was not fancied by most men because of her blunt personality and feisty attitude. Many readers, especially feminists, argue that the Taming of the Shrew revolves around the idea of how men oppress women by the way men find Kat’s attitude as unappealing, how Petruchio attempts to tame Kat, and at the end of the novel when the three married men challenge each other to see which wife is the most obedient.

As the play continues, we learn even more about Kate. For example, when Kate and Petruchio go back to Baptista’s, Kate begins to see how Petruchio operates. She learns that if she does what Petruchio says, even if she knows it is not true, she will get something she wants out of it, like going back to her father’s house. Petruchio test Kate when they meet the real Vincentio on the road and he asks Kate if she has ever seen a finer young women. Knowing what he is up to, Kate shows her amazing wit and decides to play his game. She has figured out that Petruchio has a method to his madness and if she plays her cards right, their relationship can be a partnership with a series of actions and rewards.