How Does Shakespeare Present Baptist's Relationship?

Baptista is a reputable father to Kate and Bianca; he truly wants the best for both of his daughters. Baptista tries to resolve conflicts involving his daughters, and wants the best for them financially and emotionally. Like any caring father, Baptista hates to see his children fight. When he caught Bianca and Kate in a quarrel, he intervened by saying, “Bianca, stand aside. Poor girl, she weeps! Go ply thy needle; meddle not with her. For shame, though hilding of a devilish spirit!” ( Act II, scene i, lines 23-26)! Baptista broke up the fight and admonished Kate for instigating it. He was not being too harsh here, as every parent must discipline their children; it shows that they love them. While Baptista is occasionally stringent towards his daughters, he also has a softer side. He showed the utmost amount of sympathy for Kate when Petruchio was late to their wedding. He told Kate, “Go, girl. I cannot blame thee now to weep, for such an injury would vex a very saint” (Act III, scene ii, lines 27-28). When something …show more content…
Baptista wanted everything to go well for Kate at her wedding so he made sure that everything was prepared. Before the wedding, the servant told Bianca, “Mistress, your father requests that you leave your books and come help decorate your sister’s room. You know tomorrow is her wedding day” (Act III, scene i, lines 85-87). Requesting that Bianca helps decorate is a very small action, yet it shows a lot about how much Baptista cares. When discussing a dowry for Kate with Petruchio, Baptista had one condition that was paramount to how much money Petruchio could offer. Above all, Baptista wanted to ensure that Kate was happy with Petruchio as a husband. “Ay, when the special thing is well obtained, that is, her love, for that is all in all” (Act II, scene i, lines 135-136). The most important thing to Baptista is that his daughters are