Katherine Being a Shrew

In William Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew, Kate transforms from a shrew to an obedient wife because of Petruchio's taming tactics. Kate changes into an obedient wife in the end because Petruchio fully tames her. As the play moves along, Kate begins to show signs of changing but still demonstrates her shrewish ways because Petruchio does not have total control of her yet. Because of the need to be disciplined, Kate displays shrewish behavior. Kate showcases the qualities of being a shrew in the beginning because of the lack of discipline from her husband, Petruchio. For example, Kate displays her shrewish ways when she talks back to Petruchio. When Petruchio and Kate first meet, instead of agreeing and respecting him, Kate contradicts him and fights back with him, proving that Kate acts shrewishly because of disciplinary problems. In addition to fighting back, Kate demonstrates shrewish behavior when she hits Hortensio with a lute and he says, "Why, no, for she hath broke the lute to me. I did but tell her she mistook her frets, And bowed her hand to teach her fingering, When, with a most impatient devilish spirit" (2.1.141-144). She hits Hortensio because Petruchio has not fully tamed her yet. Showing her shrewish behavior, Kate ties and beats Bianca. When Kate asks Bianca which suitor she loves the most and she does not answer, anger consumes Kate and causes her to beat and tie up Bianca, reassuring the fact that Kate's shrewish behavior reveals itself because of the need to be disciplined. Although Kate acts like a shrew in the beginning, she begins to change into an obedient wife, but still maintains her shrewish ways. Even though she behaves shrewishly in the beginning, Kate reveals signs of changing while keeping her shrewish ways because Petruchio does not possess total control of her yet. For example, Kate shows qualities of transformation when she displays sympathy for Petruchio's servants like when they spill water. When the servants drop