Change In The Taming Of The Shrew

In Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, there were two lines that caught my attention. The first is 2.1.32-36, where Katherine threatens revenge on her father and sister for not letting Katherine have her way. Second, in 5.2.143-149, Katherine is giving her speech where she chastises the other wives for not doing as their husband’s request. When I read that part of the scene I tried to put myself into the shoes of those sitting and listening to her speech, and I felt slightly disturbed that such a change occurred in what seems to be a short amount of time. But Katherine didn’t really change, she still verbally and physically challenges those around her, but now it is socially acceptable since she is saying these things for the good of society, …show more content…
She begins by threatening her father, Baptista, and sister, Bianca. Verbally sparring with Petruccio, using images of wasps, sexual actions, and roosters to challenge him. When Bianca makes a sexual reference at the end of the play, personally I was surprised. Until then, that had been Kate’s job, and now that Bianca is married to Lucentio, she does not need to put effort into upholding her image as the ideal wife. Bianca is married now, Lucentio is stuck with her no matter what way she acts.
Before the wedding reception for Katherine’s and Petruccio’s wedding, she asks him to stay, “Let me entreat you” (3.3.73). Under any other circumstances, Kate wouldn’t have asked him to stay, but even then she still wants to put on a good face and act as if the fiasco that is her wedding did not happen. Kate becomes upset and angry that Petruccio does not love her enough to stay as she asked. Those around them, though, view them as a good match. Petruccio is crazier than Katherine, and in a way he mutes her so that what she says and does isn’t as shrewd as others may initially interpret if Petruccio were not …show more content…
Petruccio denies Kate sleep, denies her food, and places all his actions under the name of love. This confuses Kate; for if he loved her, she believes that he would treat her better than a beggar (4.3.4). Grumio does not assist her at all. When Kate requests food, He gives the same excuse that the food is not good enough for his mistress. This is displayed again when the tailor comes with dresses for Kate. Petruccio acts as if the dresses are not good enough, that they are not of fashion, and that they are not of qualities materials for a noblewoman. Kate tries to dissolve the situation, contradicting everything he says. This is part of Petruccio’s plan to change