To Be, or Not To Be: Shrew Edition
What does it require of someone to be considered a shrew? The play, Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare explores the Elizabethan standards, in which Petruchio seeks to tame his wife, Kate, a labeled shrew. Although some believe that Katerina is not tamed from her shrew-like ways, the truth is that Katerina is tamed because she transforms throughout many of Petruchio’s trials, and proclaims the woman’s role in a traditional marriage.
Tests and trials bring forward a new understanding and reasoning, allowing one to understand his or her place in society, whether that be in a secular stance, or religious. In Petruchio’s case, he discovers that his trials make Kate tame. For example, Petruchio begins his process by setting a wedding date without Kate’s consent, limits the amount of food she will receive, and …show more content…
Upon Petruchio’s first meeting with Kate, they begin to banter comments back and forth, and Petruchio tells Kate’s father, Baptista, that she has agreed to a marriage, when in truth, she has not. Shakespeare writes, “And kiss me, Kate, ‘We will be married a Sunday’” (Shakespeare II. i. 317). In deciding to marry a woman who is labeled as a “shrew,” it is evidently shown that Petruchio possesses the dominant power in the relationship. This first encounter allows Kate to understand that she is no longer the one with complete control over her determined and bold actions. For Katerina, this concept is absurd due to the fact that her father never had control over her, and instead, she controlled the household.
What does it require of someone to be considered a shrew? The play, Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare explores the Elizabethan standards, in which Petruchio seeks to tame his wife, Kate, a labeled shrew. Although some believe that Katerina is not tamed from her shrew-like ways, the truth is that Katerina is tamed because she transforms throughout many of Petruchio’s trials, and proclaims the woman’s role in a traditional marriage.
Tests and trials bring forward a new understanding and reasoning, allowing one to understand his or her place in society, whether that be in a secular stance, or religious. In Petruchio’s case, he discovers that his trials make Kate tame. For example, Petruchio begins his process by setting a wedding date without Kate’s consent, limits the amount of food she will receive, and …show more content…
Upon Petruchio’s first meeting with Kate, they begin to banter comments back and forth, and Petruchio tells Kate’s father, Baptista, that she has agreed to a marriage, when in truth, she has not. Shakespeare writes, “And kiss me, Kate, ‘We will be married a Sunday’” (Shakespeare II. i. 317). In deciding to marry a woman who is labeled as a “shrew,” it is evidently shown that Petruchio possesses the dominant power in the relationship. This first encounter allows Kate to understand that she is no longer the one with complete control over her determined and bold actions. For Katerina, this concept is absurd due to the fact that her father never had control over her, and instead, she controlled the household.