Nicole Lukhan

Student Number:20109343

PATHWAY: ENGL5111

Lecturer: Sharon Chimba

24 March 2020

Literary Analysis: Taming Of The Shrew

In the play, “The Taming of The Shrew” by William Shakespeare, Katherina the eldest
daughter of Baptista, is forced to undergo severe changes, in order to become a suitable
wife in a cruel patriarchal society. Obligated to wed a man of abusive and manipulative
intentions, Shakespeare depicts the tragic effects of an outspoken women in the
renaissance era.
Shakespeare (2015) introduces the reader to Petruchio in act one scene two, accompanied
by Hortensio and Grumio. Petruchio admits that he has come to Padua in seek of a wife.
Insistently is it noticed that Petruchio is only looking for a wife to advance his financial
status, “I come to wive it wealthily…” (Shakespeare, 2015:27). De Watcher(2016) suggests
that Petruchio sees the “wild-cat” as his property and undermines her value by calling her
names of meaningless and submissive items, “…She is my good, my chattels, she is my
house, My household stuff, my field, my barn, My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing…”.
Petruchio uses a metaphor to compare his wife to a wild free falcon in which his intention is
to tame, just as falconers subjugate the fierce strong animal. Petruchio later says, “…man
my haggard…” (Shakespeare, 2015), confirming that he seeks to domesticate and restrict
Katherina’s strong powerful nature.
Petruchio goes to the extreme extent of restricting her food intake and sleep duration.
According to De Watcher (2016), Petruchio does this to force her submission unto him, as
he breaks her fiery spirit, he builds up her obedient and compliant nature. Petruchio asses
Katherina’s capitulation by commanding her to agree to his outrageous idea that the sun is
the moon. In agreeing with Petruchio, the reader sees the first turning point of what was,
Katherina’s assertive personality. Growing power and control is now being demonstrated by
Petruchio and a motif of disguise is noticed. Katherina adheres to Petruchio’s embarrassing
views and complies to his abusive methods believing that eventually, the role of his wife will
become easier. (Shakespeare, 2015)
De watcher (2016) suggests that Petruchio uses social stratification and public humiliation to
oppress her. When Petruchio delays his arrival at the wedding and is not dressed
accordingly, Katherina is outraged and embarrassed, “no shame but mine…”
(Shakespeare,2015 :56) .Petruchio fully knowing what is expected of him and the behaviour
that should be displayed, he deliberately does this to ensure she acknowledges her own
childish behaviour. He clarifies that he has the power to ruin her father’s reputation and can
publicly humiliate her, showing the reader that his “reign” has begun, and his “taming”
methods are working, according to his plan (Crowther ,2005).
It can be seen in that last act that Shakespeare gives Katherina the spotlight in her first
monologue. Petruchio’s reputation is at risk and his methods are tested when he demands
that she address the other wives at the banquet. Katherina fails to disappoint him,
describing Petruchio as, “…thy lord, thy king, thy governor”. This show the power dynamics
in their relationship and conveys Petruchio’s dominance. She further elaborates that women
are physically weaker than men, and should adjust their personality to match their strength,
“Why our bodies soft, and weak, and smooth…” (Shakespeare,2015:106). Petruchio is
ecstatic by her words and undoubtably agrees, confirming his ideal marriage is established
upon complete suppression of his wife’s will. She goes on to say that, just as a subject owes
his king loyalty so does a wife to her husband, “Such duty as the subject owes the prince,
Even such a woman oweth to her husband.” (Shakespeare, 2015:106).
Grumio describes Katherina as a “…the curst…” (Shakespeare,2015:29). It can be argued
that Petruchio was not oppressing her but rather “fighting fire with fire”. Minton (2012)
suggests that Katherina is portrayed to be disrespectful and quick- tempered as everyone
wishes to “curb her mad and headstrong humour”. Many suitors are displeased by her
prone-to-violence personality as seen in act one scene one, where Katherina scares
Hortensio that she may, “... comb your noodle with a three-legged stool, And paint your
face, and use you like a fool”. Minton (2012) argues that Katherina was consistently
rebellious, in a time where women were expected to behave in a manner that obeys their
husbands, in order to have a successful and peaceful marriage. Petruchio conveniently
“saves” Katherina from herself. He ultimately does this by taking on the challenge of
“taming” her and blatantly admits that it is his purpose, “For I am he am born to tame you,
Kate…” (Shakespeare ,2015:47). Petruchio therefore rescues her from turning into a, “…
shrew to witch and end her days as a madwomen” (Costa, 2012).
According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2015), misogynist is defined as a
man who despises women. Minton (2012) argues that Petruchio does not depict a
misogynistic attitude, as he begins to court Katherina and even appreciates her beauty, “…
that hearing of her beauty and her wit, her affability and bashful modesty”. He then
playfully, uses wit to seduce her and express his sexual attraction towards her. Shakespeare
conveys how Petruchio cleverly uses methods of manipulation to slowly change Katherina’s
behaviour. In her final speech Katherina suggests that women are expected to be obedient
to their husbands because they serve their wives with labour, “And for thy maintenance;
commits his body to painful labour both by sea and land…”. Katherina elaborates that “true
obedience” is a small price to pay for their safety and security. Shakespeare could also be
suggesting that a wife and husband should work together rather than in a hierarchical
manner and therefore Katherina accepts obedience to Petruchio.
Although many believe Katherina is a rude proud woman, Petruchio is a man of an abusive
nature. Katherina had no choice but to endure through his corrupt methods and become
the woman society valued. Katherina’s speech confirms the large extent of misogyny
illustrated in the play. She began by fighting against her social role until exposed to cruel
“taming” techniques and eventually was broken under Petruchio’s idea of a perfect
marriage. Petruchio only grew to love Katherina after submitting to his control and shaping
her into the women he saw fit to be his wife. Shakespeare provides an understanding of
how marriages were expected to occur in the renaissance era without endorsing it. He
shows us the consequences of what women would have to endure if they wanted to live
happily with their husbands. He was rather trying to be a voice for women during that era,
using satire to disguise and expose the unfortunate vice values held by men of the time
(Shakespeare,2015).
Reference List
Shakespeare, W. 2015. The Taming of the Shrew. Stirlingshire; Penguin Random House UK.
De Wachter, R. 2016. Power and gender in the Taming of the Shrew, Discovering Literature:
Shakespeare and renaissance, 15 November 2016. [Online]. Available at:
https://www.bl.uk/shakespeare/articles/power-and-gender-in-the-taming-of-the-shrew
[Accessed 15 March 2020].
Costa, M. 2012. Taming of the shrew: ‘This is not a woman being crushed’. The Guardian, 17
January 2012. [Online]. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/jan/17/taming-of-the-shrew-rsc [Accessed 18
March 2020].
Minton, E. 2012. Who is the Misogynist Monster: Petruchio, Shakespeare, or You?.
Shakespeareances.com, 12 June 2012. [Online]. Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/jan/17/taming-of-the-shrew-rsc [Accessed 24
March 2020].
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. 2015. Oxford: Oxford University Press.