Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on June 22, 2015: You have done an excellent job on this review. The Taming of the Shrew study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Ed. In Act III, Scene 2, roughly the play's mid-point, Shakespeare gives us one of the most unusual (and unpleasant) weddings in literary history. Not all power goes to the man; the man is expected to love his wife as Jesus loved the church. Question: Is it a possibility that Kate from Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" is putting on a complying act because she knows that by pretending to submit, she can get what she wants? Children should obey their parents. She still has the passion and energy she began with, but with a realization that her actions affect others. Their life is richer as a result of one another. Character Analysis The main character in the play Taming of the Shrew is Katherine, who undergoes a major transformation throughout the play as she begins stubborn and ill tempered and ends a subservient wife. It appears that they join an understanding and acceptance of their own behaviors. The Taming of the Shrew is the only play by Shakespeare that has an “induction,” or anterior section, that introduces the main action. Petruchio’s actions were very extreme during the play, but as Kate caught on to their role playing their relationship improved (Nevo 262). Zorba the Geek, via Wikimedia Commons Taming of the Shrew Essay In The Taming of the Shrew, Kate goes through a fantastic transformation from a harsh spitfire to a spirited yet submissive wife. Kate’s response was that it changes even as his mind, and this was the first sign of her submission to Petruchio (Evans 32). Kate earned bountiful respect from the other men in the closing scene, as she proved to fit the mold of the conventional woman better than their wives did (Dash 835). Submission is more about respecting than obeying. Untitled Essay. When the tailor brought in what seemed to be a very pretty cap, Petruchio refused to let Kate have it, despite her incessant pleas to keep the cap (Legatt 410). As far as celebrating it, it was a well-written play that should be recognized and appreciated. The Taming of the Shrew study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. In the next line, Kate again proves her growing love for him. While preparing himself for Katharina's entrance, Petruchio proclaims his intention to believe the opposite of whatever Kate tries to say about herself: "Say that she rail, why then I'll tell her plain/She sings as sweetly as a nightingale." Analysis. If he is dishonest, then her rebellion becomes patriotic since the contract has become essentially null and void. They will demonstrate the uncertainty surrounding the origins of texts and the evolution of plays with respect to their cultural atmosphere of the original Lear and Shrew. Mark W.     Scott and Sandra L. Williamson. The sixteenth century drama. Taming of the Shrew, RSC, 2003 Ed. Summary. Despite his flattery, she still seeks to find love from him, although she seeks it in juvenile ways. Dash, Irene G. “Wooing, Wedding, and Power: Women in Shakespeare Plays”. Answer: I believe the moral of the story is to about true character. Some scholars believe it may have been his first work written for the stage as well as his first comedy (Shakespearean 310). Ann Leavitt from Oregon on March 06, 2010: Excellent work! Dive deep into William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew with extended analysis, commentary, and discussion perfect for college-level preparation I believe both Kate and Petruchio are putting on an act towards the end, but I do believe that they both know that the other is acting and they are doing so out of mutual respect. On the other hand, she does not refer to her own need of hunger but defends the cook’s mistake. She may have stopped her temper tantrums and her cruelty towards others, but she is still feisty. Personally, I believe that the husband and wife have a symbiotic relationship. Petruchio’s goal with Kate is to tame her. A detailed analysis of gender roles, the main theme of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, as well as other motifs such as appearance vs. reality and animal imagery. That being said, humans love to watch Home Alone and laugh at the cruel treatment of the two thieves, so it was intended to bring humor by being way over the top. She is capable of being a submissive wife but be her own person, as well. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of The Taming of the Shrew and what it means. This comedic farce, by William Shakespeare, creates an elegant depiction of a modern life and romantic love with all of its masks and pretensions. He sought to tame her in a nonviolent but still somewhat cruel fashion. Here we see Kate coming to understand that, when she agrees to let Petruchio have his way, she reaps the benefits. similar secret plans. Now, pray thee, love, stay” (V.ii.139). Cyclopedia of Characters II. The wealthy father of two daughters, Bianca and Katherine, Baptista establishes a rule that no man may marry Bianca until his older daughter Katherine is married. As the action opens, he is being thrown out of an alehouse. The first three things reflect the views of marriage in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Petruchio beckons a kiss. The Taming of the Shrew is one of the earliest comedies written by sixteenth and seventeenth century English bard, William Shakespeare. Petruchio playfully hints that since she won’t kiss him in public, they should go home. The earliest record of it being performed on stage is in 1593 or 1594. She does not need to say anything when Petruchio makes the ridiculous claim that the man is really a woman. Summary Read a Plot Overview of the entire play or a scene by scene Summary and Analysis. I love this play and have seen it several times in several different performances! The play opens with a device referred to as an introduction. Even in the final scene, Kate never showed signs of being a weak character, but rather the ability to be strong in any way she needs to be. Taming of the Shrew Essay May 31, 2014. It is supposed to be written between 1590 and 1592. Science Teacher and Lover of Essays. Kahn, Copella. She is talking amongst both men and women, yet all listen. A detailed analysis of gender roles, the main theme of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, as well as other motifs such as appearance vs. reality and animal imagery. Firstly, she showcased it by saying what Petruchio wanted her to, regardless of the absurdity of the statement. They have really similar characters names and their behaviours. Kate voices these feelings when she snaps at her father as he comes to Bianca’s defense by saying, “[Bianca] is your treasure” (II.i.32), which reflects Kate’s belief that her father views Bianca as someone valuable. This is why Petruchio’s form of violence was accepted; because he was the master of his property and could do what he wanted with it. Free proofreading and copy-editing included. Analysis. Get a verified writer to help you with Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” Analysis. Then again, in her final speech, Kate talks at length with a strong presence that captivates her audience, further proving she is still the feisty woman she had been at the very beginning but with new understanding. Because Petruchio was a male, though, his violence was more accepted by society than was Kate’s (Kahn 414). However, she does it with tact and poise, which is no longer met with a dispute. 1106-    1107. Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and the modern film 10 Thingss I hate about you are analogous to each other in many ways. By not accepting the nickname Petruchio has given to her, she proves that she still is independent of him. Kate committed four physically violent acts on stage: she broke the lute over the Hortensio’s head, tied and beat Bianca, and hit Petruchio and Grumio (Kahn 415). This was not just a 16th and 17th century idiom, but a proper and true behavior that women in all civilized countries have practiced from the beginning of history until the 20th century, the time when they began to abandon their proper roles and rebel against the freeing and fulfilling headship God placed upon them. The Taming of the Shrew study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Submitting is not the same as obeying. Kate was presented to be much more intelligent and witty than Bianca, but, ironically, she could not compete with Bianca because of these witty comebacks and caustic remarks she made (Dash 830). It was the first time Kate was ever challenged in the way that Petruchio was willing to challenge her, and he enjoyed the challenge. New York: Chelsea House     Publishers, 1986. Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” Analysis August 26, 2020 by Essay Writer Since Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” was written in 1592 (Royal Shakespeare Company), there have been many adaptations of his works created in “an overwhelming variety of ways,” (Fischlin & Fortier 1). A really great hub about a fantastic play, one i would dearly love to see in London on stage some day, thanks for sharing, voted up, Lee. The Critical Perspective Volume 2. When she refuses the first time, he asks if it’s because she is embarrassed of him. Analysis. Petruchio is very interested in Katharina's money. Having trouble understanding The Taming of the Shrew? It only takes seconds! Despite Kate’s apparent anti-feminist talk, Kate has not become a completely broken, weak-willed woman. To help you look at any scene in The Taming of The Shrew and begin to analyse it, it’s important to ask questions about how it's written and why. I've been teaching taming of the Shrew for decades and have come to the position that Kate's speech is the third of a series of contracts in the play, the first two being the covenant between Petruchio and Baptista, while the second is the fraudulent contract with the supposed Vincentio. The play Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, written in 1590-1592, takes place in Italy. Charles Robert Leslie (1794–1859), via Wikimedia Commons. Your online site for school work help and homework help. The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy play written by William Shakespeare. During this scene, she begins chiding the two women about their childish behavior towards their husbands. He reasoned that he would wager that much on his hound, but his wife merited a much larger bet (Leggatt 413). She responds with, “But no sir, God forbid, but ashamed to kiss” (V.ii.137), which signifies more the feelings towards public displays of affection during this time rather than her feelings of kissing Petruchio. While in this society, a woman is asked to be obedient, it is not without men serving women as well. Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on June 22, 2015: Very well reviewed. It was Kate’s submission to Petruchio which makes him a man, finally and indisputably (Kahn 419). The fact that she is willing to go along with his outlandish remarks and humiliate a man she has never met proves she has not lost her spunk. The noblemen give Sly a disguised young page as his supposed wife. Petruchio’s words left no doubt as to his belief in the patriarchal marriage system that existed during Shakespeare’s time, perhaps presented in somewhat of an exaggerated form (Kahn 414). They thrive off of the intellectual games they play throughout The Taming of the Shrew. As she concluded the scene and the play, Kate prepared to put her hand beneath her husband’s foot, and Elizabethan symbol of wifely obedience (Kahn 419). The Taming of the Shrew study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Sometimes we have to look beyond our first impression of people to truly know them and their character. This transformation is due to Petruchio’s over-the-top kindness towards Kate and cruelty towards all … Sly wants to be left alone with his wife, but the servants tell him that a troupe of actors has arrived to present a play for him.