Essays on The Taming of The Shrew

Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is often criticized for its seemingly misogynistic themes: namely, the idea of breaking a woman’s spirit and making her subservient to her husband. This is apparent through the “taming” of the play’s lead female character, Katherine Minola. Katherine, better...

Perhaps the unknown purpose behind an induction, which even the most experienced readers have failed to explain, has finally come to light. Christopher Sly, the principal character in the brief Induction of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, acts as a drunken tinker...

Shakespeare’s Richard III and The Taming of the Shrew both teach audiences a lesson about “the great chain of being” — by showing Richard and Kate’s refusal to accept the doctrine of passive obedience and the consequences that follow. In Richard’s case he is unwilling...

The themes of William Shakespeare’s classic plays still ring true today, and audiences everywhere continue to enjoy them, both through the traditional play performances and through more contemporary interpretations. Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You,...

A shrew, a scold, was in fundamental nature any woman that verbally defied authority in public and obstinately challenged the “axiom” of male rule. The late sixteenth century was harsh to deviants of social role and standing, and the penalty of having an association with...

Petruchio’s multifaceted role in The Taming of the Shrew illustrates various themes of the play, such as the concept of domestication, the economy of marriage, gender roles, and the nature of language. Through his experiences at Padua, interactions and marriage with Katherina, and the conclusion...

One reading of The Taming of the Shrew may cause women to shake their heads in disbelief of Kate’s changed behavior for the pleasure of her husband. A closer reading and an analyzing of the methods used by Petruchio in taming his wife, however, provide...

The Taming of the Shrew gives the reflection of marriage in Shakespearean society. Ideas of patriarchy, female domestication and submission, economic interest, and the employment of noise and love all unite in the plot of the play according to the roles by which the shrew,...

In her famous speech at the end of The Taming of the Shrew the formerly shrewish Kate proclaims: Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee, And for thy maintenance commits his body To painful...

The wealthy Baptista Minola of Padua, Italy is one of the most prideful characters in William Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of Shrew. Baptista’s pride stems from his large estate and untaken daughters who will inherit his capital, assets of which he misuses in attempt to...

Shakespeare’s comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, focuses a great deal on the character of Kate, the “shrew” of the story, and her transition from an unlovable, temperamental harridan into the picture of a perfect wife. Surrounding this tale of Petruchio and Kate are the...

In many of Shakespeare’s comedies, we see people from all social ranks being portrayed – from the highest of nobles, to the lowest of servants. In cases of male friendship, there is a common pattern to see friendship develop through master-servant relationships, which aid and...

In Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew, a number of individuals assume different identities through an array of varying illusions. Deception is a prominent thematic concern within the play, as a multitude of characters adopt disguises, only to reveal their true personalities. Bianca conceals...

One of William Shakespeare’s earliest romantic comedies, The Taming of the Shrew, focuses on the courtship and marriage of two sisters, Katharina and Bianca. While the play provides a somewhat lighthearted commentary on matrimony and the supposed roles of husbands and wives, the lightheartedness of...

Striving for True Desires Sometimes aiming for basic, minimal goals instead of striving for greater desires produces sub-standard results. In the case of Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, Hortensio’s only goal is simply to marry. In a want to marry...

A study comparing and contrasting the dramatists’ use and representation of women in the tragedies, Othello and Death of a Salesman, and the comedy, The Taming of the Shrew with close reference to the texts, their contexts and a selection of literary criticism. Shakespeare presents...

Taming of the Shrew and 10 Thing I Hate About You are two very similar films. One just so happens to be made in 1967 and the other in 1999. The characters in 10 things are put in a number of indistinguishable situations to those...

Kate’s difficult personality and behavior are not entirely due to the lack of love she receives. In fact, Kate’s problematic persona is caused by her self-absorption. For the first time in Kate’s life, when she is headed off with Petruchio, she sees others being verbally...

There are a number of dramas and other stories that have been written over time and each one of these have their significant position in literature. These stories and plays not only have a great story but there is also substantial material present that helps...

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...

In The Taming of the Shrew Shakespeare highlights and examines issues regarding gender relationships and inequality in the Elizabethan era. The subject of gender serves as a central idea of the work and interpretation can vary from reader to reader. Shakespeare uses Baptista’s two daughters...

Through in-depth examination and analysis, Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew have both controversial and debatable motifs. In this play, clothing is one of the most significant elements that has been repeatedly illustrated. In Act 4 Scene 3, Petruchio, Kate’s persistent fiancé and later on husband...