Femininity and masculinity are very strong themes in both films but is misunderstood in various ways because of the gender roles and relationships sustained throughout the film. Masculinity is the possession and qualities of a man and this is shown in many ways. Femininity is also shown in the films in many ways where the qualities of women both contrast and differentiate. In Taming of the Shrew, masculinity is portrayed as having much wealth, being physically strong, having dominance,facial hair and being charismatic. Masculinity in 10 Thing I hate about you is similarly portrayed however a “man” doesn’t need facial hair, instead he needs to be blatantly sexual towards women. Traits of femininity that are displayed in Taming of the Shrew are that women must obey men and all the orders given to them, have little freedom and are considered a “joke”. However in 10 Things I hate about you, women have more freedom and are not discriminated against as much. An example of overt Masculinity in Taming of the Shrew occurs when Petruchio and Katharina ride back Petruchio’s castle. Petruchio was riding on a Large, dominant horse whereas Katerina was riding on a small, withered donkey. The donkey is also a symbol of the lower or working class and is one of the many animal references deliberately integrated into the film to appeal to an Elizabethan audience. A direct example of overt masculinity in 10 Things I hate about you occurred when Patrick moved his hand through a bunsen burner flame to intimidate Cameron and Michael expressing his masculinity. There were many occasions of feminist views in Taming of the
