The Taming Of The Shrew: An Critique
The Taming of the Shrew is one of the earliest comedies written by
sixteenth and seventeenth century English bard, William Shakespeare. Some
scholars believe it may have been his first work written for the stage as well
as his first comedy (Shakespearean 310). The earliest record of it being
performed on stage is in 1593 or 1594. It is thought by many to be one of
Shakespeare's most immature plays (Cyclopedia 1106).
In The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio was the only suitor willing to
court Kate, the more undesirable of Baptista's two daughters. Kate was never
described as unattractive (Elizabeth Taylor played her role in one film of the
production), but was known for her shrewish ...
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along to court Kate, saying he wanted to marry wealthily in Padua. It
appeared, though, as if Petruchio was the kind of man who needed an opposition
in life. The shrewish Kate, who was known to have a sharp tongue, very
adequately filled his need for another powerful character in a relationship
(Kahn 419). When Petruchio began to woo Kate, everybody was rather surprised,
but Signior Baptista agreed when Petruchio wanted marry her on Saturday of the
week he met her. Clearly, he was not opposed because he wanted to hurry and get
Kate married so she would not be in Bianca's way anymore. Petruchio showed up
to the wedding late and in strange attire, but nevertheless they were married
that Saturday. Petruchio began his famous process of taming his bride.
From the beginning, Petruchio wanted to dominate a relationship of two
dominating personalities. He sought to tame her in a nonviolent but still
somewhat cruel fashion. Petruchio's method of "taming" Kate featured ...
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helplessness of her
situation, she began to show submission to her husband. When Kate mentioned the
sun in a conversation, Petruchio absurdly disagreed with her and told her it was
the moon. Kate proceeded to agree with him, to which, of course, he changed his
mind back. Kate's response was that it changes even as his mind, and this was
the first sign of her submission to Petruchio (Evans 32).
Petruchio's actions were very extreme during the play, but as Kate caught
on to their role playing their relationship improved (Nevo 262). Many scholars
feel that, despite Kate's submissiveness in the closing scene of the play, she
would continue to be a strong opposition for Petruchio. ...
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"The Taming Of The Shrew: An Critique." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 20 Sep. 2007. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Taming-Of-The-Shrew-Critique/71451>
"The Taming Of The Shrew: An Critique." Essayworld.com. September 20, 2007. Accessed December 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Taming-Of-The-Shrew-Critique/71451.
"The Taming Of The Shrew: An Critique." Essayworld.com. September 20, 2007. Accessed December 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Taming-Of-The-Shrew-Critique/71451.
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