Gender Roles in The Taming of The Shrew and 10 Things I Hate About You

William Shakespeare's “The Taming of the Shrew” (TOTS) explores misogynistic and patriarchal themes, alongside Gil Jungers adaptation, “10 Things I Hate About You” (10 Things). Shakespeare’s play enforces the subservience of women and power of men which reflects on the motivations and social attitudes of the Elizabethan Era. Gil Junger’s 1999 adaptation “10 Things I Hate About You” was created to appeal to a contemporary audience and reflect the third-wave of feminism. Characters present new motivations, yet their actions result in the same immoral outcomes as “The Taming of the Shrew.” This leaves our modern audience questioning why we keep retelling stories that don’t overshadow the gender inequality presented in Shakespeare's time.

The romantic relationships in TOTS and 10 Things both enforce the submission of women despite the varying motivations of Petruchio and Patrick. Through starvation and verbal abuse Petruchio makes Katherina more compliant, “Why came I hither but to that intent?/Think you a little din can daunt mine ears?” In his speech where Petruchio asserts his Shrew-taming skills, he is implying that if men can not control women they are effeminate. This inequality between the ‘lovers’ was seen as socially acceptable during the time period as the belief that wives should conform to the authority of their husbands was enforced in the Elizabethan era. 10 Things was adapted to represent modern relationships and the improved equality of the 1990’s. The film does not encourage physical abuse as a way to win over women, but instead Patrick tries to woo Kat through gifts, such as a guitar, and extravagant performances. High angle shots of Patrick as he performs to Kat shows he has power to influence Kat’s outlook on their relationship, which similarly occurs when Petruchio gaslights Katherina. The contemporary motivation of Patrick is seen as romantic but rather it suggest womens forgiveness and affection can be purchased by men. The romantic relationships in 10 things were adapted to playfully take on those in TOTS. However, they still enforce that men have the capability to redefine the images of women, which leaves our contemporary audience questioning whether women were truly treated with greater equality following the waves of feminism.

Both Katherina and Kat are independent and challenge the socially constructed role of an “ideal woman” enforced in their time period, however they both end up falling to the power of men. Gil Junger’s appropriation of Katherina, Kat, defines herself as being an unbreakable feminist, inspired by the third-wave of feminism that occured in the 1990’s. Her costumes are traditionally associated with men as she wears cargo pants and blue shirts to show she is redefining the ideas of a “traditional woman” which was a common goal among feminists in the nineties. As Kat drives her car, non-diegetic punk rock music is played to suggest she is rough and careless of others. However Kat contradicts her beliefs on multiple occasions. For example in her poem to Patrick she says, “I hate that you’re always right,” which verifies male privilege. The subdueing by Patrick of Kats feminist, fiery views is seen as romantic and a positive change in Kat’s personality. Katherina acts like a “fiend of hell” and has no desire to get married in an attempt to escape the expectations placed on her by Baptista. Yet, after being abused by Petruchio she claims, “thy husband is thy lord,” an extreme change in option. Despite the different motivations of Katherina and Kat, the recurring theme in both texts is that women will always end up complying with the demands of men, which is seen as problematic and morally incorrect to a modern audience.

The different motivations of Baptista and Walter both enforce the idea that fathers have complete control over their daughters relationships. Walter in 10 Things was established to put a comedic twist on Baptista, “you don't know what you want and you won't know what you want until you're forty-five.” Walters speech emphasises his protectiveness, fueled by a fear of rebellion and teen pregnancy. His controlling nature leads to a dating rule, which governs Bianca and Kat’s romantic relationships. Baptista enforces a similar rule to Walter’s. However, Baptista’s control reflects on his want for a large dowry, stemming from the materialistic nature of greedy fathers in the Elizabethan era. 10 Things was adapted to light-heartedly reflect on the change in motivation from money to more relevant fears, such as social indignity. Although more relatable, the lack of improvement in the freedom and unfair treatment of the daughters leaves our modern audience frustrated, especially as the target audience is teenagers.

Gil Junger’s 10 Things is an entertaining interpretation of TOTS, however it still presents misogynistic elements that were enforced in the Elizabethan era. The dark story of TOTS was recreated to reflect on the change in morals and motivations of people 400 years on. Yet, it still highlights the ideas that fathers have power of their daughters and that women should be submissive to men, which dissatisfies a modern audience. It leaves us questioning why we are not telling stories that highlight the progress in gender equality, instead of taking steps back to a time when women were not fully appreciated by men or society.