This sense of authority is created through words which heighten Petruchio’s status, making him a king-like figure in his household by further expressing his feelings of superiority. He goes as far as to describe his marriage as his “reign” suggesting that his character feels that a husband should have kingship and “supremacy” over his wife. Eventually a tamed Katherina seems to except him as her superior as she instructs the widow to “dart not scornful glances from those eyes//To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor”. One interpretation of this could be that she has given up in her battle with Petruchio and is too tired to contradict him by repeating what he has previously said and exaggerating it further by describing him as a “lord” and a “governor”. Another interpretation of this could be that she is happy with the terms of her marriage and that she does now see herself as inferior to her husband. Extreme male dominance is also shown through the theme of power in relationships as Petruchio states that he “shall be what o’clock it is”, further touch upon the idea of male dominance and control over ones wife as Petruchio argues with Katherina after she points out that he made a mistake about the time which they were supposed to visit her father. This example of extreme dominance gives us further insight into the personality which Petruchio’s character has been written with as it shows that he has to some extent a superiority complex over his wife, as in his mind he thinks of himself as truly superior. The use of the word O’clock suggests he is higher power over her as he can control the passing of time in her life and can not be affected by anyone as time cannot be stopped and neither will he in his quest to tame his wife. Petruchio’s attitudes toward women are also shown as not only
This sense of authority is created through words which heighten Petruchio’s status, making him a king-like figure in his household by further expressing his feelings of superiority. He goes as far as to describe his marriage as his “reign” suggesting that his character feels that a husband should have kingship and “supremacy” over his wife. Eventually a tamed Katherina seems to except him as her superior as she instructs the widow to “dart not scornful glances from those eyes//To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor”. One interpretation of this could be that she has given up in her battle with Petruchio and is too tired to contradict him by repeating what he has previously said and exaggerating it further by describing him as a “lord” and a “governor”. Another interpretation of this could be that she is happy with the terms of her marriage and that she does now see herself as inferior to her husband. Extreme male dominance is also shown through the theme of power in relationships as Petruchio states that he “shall be what o’clock it is”, further touch upon the idea of male dominance and control over ones wife as Petruchio argues with Katherina after she points out that he made a mistake about the time which they were supposed to visit her father. This example of extreme dominance gives us further insight into the personality which Petruchio’s character has been written with as it shows that he has to some extent a superiority complex over his wife, as in his mind he thinks of himself as truly superior. The use of the word O’clock suggests he is higher power over her as he can control the passing of time in her life and can not be affected by anyone as time cannot be stopped and neither will he in his quest to tame his wife. Petruchio’s attitudes toward women are also shown as not only