Animal Imagery in the Taming of the Shrew

According to German philosopher Immanuel Kant, “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals”. This quote relates to William Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew, and its relation to animal imagery. Shakespeare successfully cultivates the development of theme, relationships and character by using animal imagery. Firstly, the imagery used in this play helps to develop themes, such as power and dehumanization. Secondly, animal imagery effectively develops relationships throughout the play, including those between Katherina and Petruchio, as well as Lucentio and Tranio. Thirdly, character development is influenced by animal imagery, as shown through the characters Petruchio, Sly and Bianca. Thus, Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew definitively progresses the development of theme, relationships and character through the use of animal imagery. First of all, Shakespeare uses animal imagery to convincingly develop different themes throughout the play. One theme that evolves through the use of animal imagery is dehumanization. An example of this is Petruchio’s soliloque when he confesses his plans to tame Katherina. He mentions, “My falcon now is sharp and passing empty, / And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged, / For then she never looks upon her lure. / Another way I have to man my haggard, / To make her come and know her keeper’s call, / That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites / That bate and beat and will not be obedient” (IV. i. 172-178). Animal imagery is used here by relating Kate to a falcon, specifically one that is wild and untamed. This quotation is significant to the theme of dehumanization because Petruchio is referring to Kate as a falcon, less than human. His actions that he confesses to are to treat her as if she is not a human. When he asserts, “I have to man my haggard” (175), not only is he calling her a wild hawk, but he expressed it like she is his possession, as if he owns her. Therefore it increases

Cited: Shakespeare, William. The Taming of the Shrew;. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990. Print. Phillips, Tazi. "Best Ever Quotes About Animals & Activism." Global Animal. N.p., 13 Dec. 2010. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. .