The Liberation of Katharina in Shakespeare’s Taming of the 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?

Shakespeare brings us back to the sisters in act II scene 1. This is a

Comparing Shakespeare’s Katharina, of The Taming of the Shrew and Beatrice, of Much Ado About Nothing

The historical and cultural contexts of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew (TTS) and the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You (10TIH) differ exceptionally, resulting in the film’s expression of values unlike those expressed in Shakespeare’s original text. Shakespeare’s play was written during the Elizabethan era, during which the belief that men were superior to women was prevalent. This concept is centralised in TTS, through incorporation of a disputably misogynistic tone and the dominance of men consequently forcing Katherina into marriage and submission. In contrast, 10TIH, a modern film appropriation of TTS, largely challenges the values of Shakespeare’s play. It presents to

The Taming of the Shrew, written by William Shakespeare, is historical proof that flirting and temptation, relating to the opposite sex, has been around since the earliest of times. Because males and females continue to interact, the complications in this play remain as relevant and humorous today as they did to Elizabethan audiences. This is a very fun play, full of comedy and sexual remarks. It's lasting impression imprints itself into the minds of its readers, for it is an unforgettable story of sex, flirting, and happiness. The Taming of the Shrew remains as relevant today because of its relation to the age-old story of the battle of the sexes and dynamics of marriage, as well as the woman's struggle with both of these.

In The Taming of the Shrew, the concept of love is a means of emotional manipulation, and manipulation is nothing more than a means of control between men and women. William Shakespeare critiques the patriarchal social structure by ironically employing the manipulative stance Petruchio takes towards winning Katherine as his wife by charming her with words and manipulating her psychologically, and then taming her after their marriage through legal, physical, financial, and psychological control and manipulation. Though Petruchio may think he yields power over his wife, Katherine uses obedience as a tool of manipulation and has the control of the household, as can be seen

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.

When Katsa fishes him out, she and Bitterblue dress the wound in his shoulder, slump him over a horse, and set out for the king was not dead and the only one who could kill him was knocked out.

Taming of the Shrew is a romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare in the 1500’s. It takes place in the city of Padua, presumably during the Italian Renaissance. The major conflict of the play is ‘taming’ a hot-headed woman named Katherine and to overcome the rule her father holds on his two daughters where the eldest marries first. The script brings up a lot of attention in the feminist theory. But, Shakespeare’s play reflects on the archetypes of characters, situations, and symbols. These connections are made in the play to make the audience familiar with the text and provide a deeper understanding.

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

At this, the prince's curse is broken, and he transforms into a handsome and gallant young man, much to the delight of his wife. At his request, Meldina initially withholds his secret; however, she eventually can no longer contain herself, and reveals the prince's true form to the king and queen. Afterwards, the elated king abdicates the throne to his son, who becomes known as King Pig and proceeds to rule happily for many years. (Straparola 42-47)

People have always gone out of their way to obtain what they want. Whether this obsession is greed, power, or a person, one will go to great lengths to achieve it. The negative influence of money is widely know and is still manipulating humans in many ways. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare should not be performed to RBHS students because it sends a detrimental message to the audience that women are dehumanized through another’s desire for money.

Sexism is the stereotyping and discrimination based upon gender. Typically steered towards women, it has played a large part in not only our society today but in the past as well. In the play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, it is shown in the treatment of the women by their male counterparts. It is most prevalent in the way that fortune-seeking Petruchio goes about taming his aggressive and sharp-tongued wife Katharina. By examining Petruchio’s actions and Katharina’s reactions towards his efforts at taming her, once can see that the play is indeed sexist.

The above passages can also be seen as placing an emphasis on the degradation Baptista inflicts on Katherine for coming across as the opposite of an ideal woman. Unlike Bianca, who comes across as mild-mannered and respectful to others, Katherine is established as an antagonistic woman who lashes out at those around her on the slightest provocation. But while her threat to "comb [Hortensio's] noodle with a three-legg'd stool/And paint [his] face, and use [him] like a fool" accentuates her fiery personality, it also suggests that her shrewish behavior is a statement that condemns the

During the play Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare, Petruchio is a very intriguing character. One of the more notable things he does in the play is ‘tame’ Katerina. However while the play is called “taming” of the shrew, I believe his intentions are to have a loving relationship with his spouse. However I don't believe that was the case the whole time! Petruchio originally did not have feelings for Kate because he claims during the beginning of the play that he travelled to Pertua to marry a woman with a rich father. Whilst attempting to tame her he claims he is enjoying doing so, I believe that he is enjoying because he is getting to spend time with her, while falling in love with her and not even realizing it. After Petruchio has starved her and deprived her of sleep as well as other things, he makes a real attempt to be nice to Katherine and I believe that's what really tamed her. Overall I believe Petruchio’s original intentions were to use Katherine and marry her for her wealth. But over time he began to fall deeply in love with her. We see this by Petruchio putting a great amount of effort into his attempt at taming Katherine. We see this during his thoughts and speech about marriage and happiness. And lastly, we see this through his flirty and affectionate gesture towards Kate. Through these things I believe that Petruchio as well as the audience learn a valuable lesson about love, you cannot force it.