Gender Equality In Shakespeare's The Taming Of The Shrew

It is clear from the beginning of the play that Kate’s attitude is frowned upon by the standards enforced by men onto society. It is a feminist’s role to argue the advocacy of equal rights for both males and females. From a feminist’s perspective The Taming of the Shrew is lacking in the concept of gender equality especially as Kate’s opportunities are decided from her by men from the beginning of the play. Although, it may be argued that Kate’s shrewish attitude is influenced as a response to the overwhelming sense of patriarchy, how at the hands of men she has become a shrew in protest and then again, at the hands of men she is forced into marriage and to disregard her famous masculine personality. In accordance to this, i have to agree …show more content…
This is easy to comprehend as no one knows Katherina 's reluctant character more than her father. This may contradict the idea that the control over Katherina 's life lacks comedic value. The idea of feminism didn 't exist in Shakespearean times and the way Katherina is treated is significantly better than most ' shrews ' in this time. This may indicate a true sense of passion between the pair from the beginning. Petruchio refers to Kate as " O, the kindest Kate!" when she is clearly far from it, further suggestions that it is intended as a sense of sarcasm and henceforth making the situation funny. Although, Kate has showed reluctance and rebellion towards almost every situation at this point in the play, the only sense of protest she has against marrying Petruchio may be argued to be flirtation as they share a battle of wit. This creates the insinuation that Kate may not have been forced into the marriage against her will, although that may have been the intention. At this point Kate slaps Petruchio to reinforce her dominance as she gives in to his proposal. If Petruchio was simply seeking wealth then he could have chosen to be a suitor for Bianca instead of Kate, this shows that they may share an attraction and therefore this isn 't a life choice forced by the hands of another male, he is giving her what she wants …show more content…
Kate agrees that anything is what Petruchio says it is. "And the moon changes even as your mind" If he says that the moon is the sun, then the moon is the sun until he says otherwise. This may be their way of mocking others in marriage for Petruchio 's "shrew" of a wife is more obedient than any other. Kate 's new found obedience may just be a private joke and not a result of force, in fact making it a viable comedy, just shared between the married couple and not the rest of the