Power Relationships in Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrews’ Power Relationships
The theme of Power has been used for many, many years. Power has been used from the olden days up until now and will continue being used into the future. Power isn’t always just used; it is also abused quite often. People who are abused by another’s power typically tend to have the desire to have power over others. In the play The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare uses the theme of power relationships amongst many characters. The theme of power is used, abused, and subverted throughout the play in many relationship including Petruchio and Katherina, Bianca and Lucentio, and Baptista and Katherina.
The theme of power is used in the Relationship of Petruchio and Katherina. It is used because, around the time that this play takes place; the men had more power over the women. This is shown in many ways throughout The Taming of the Shrew, one of which is during Petruchio and Katherina’s conversation.
“Petruchio: Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! Katherina: The moon? The sun! It is not moonlight now. Petruchio: I say it is the moon that shines so bright.” (4.5.2-4)
In this conversation, Petruchio is telling Katherina that it is the moon that is out and shining; however, Katherina, refusing to believe so, insists that it is the sun. Basically, Petruchio is telling Katherina that it is what he says it is, and is technically telling her what to think. Therefore, this is showing how Petruchio uses power over Katherina. Within the relationship of Bianca and Lucentio, power is abused. This is because Lucentio, being the male and the husband, should have power over Bianca, the female and wife; however, Bianca abuses this. This is shown in multiple places, such as in the following quote after Lucentio tells Biondello to get Bianca, “Sir, my mistress sends you word that she is busy, and she cannot come.” (5.2.81-82). Power is being abused because Bianca is refusing to do as she is told to do by
The theme of Power has been used for many, many years. Power has been used from the olden days up until now and will continue being used into the future. Power isn’t always just used; it is also abused quite often. People who are abused by another’s power typically tend to have the desire to have power over others. In the play The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare uses the theme of power relationships amongst many characters. The theme of power is used, abused, and subverted throughout the play in many relationship including Petruchio and Katherina, Bianca and Lucentio, and Baptista and Katherina.
The theme of power is used in the Relationship of Petruchio and Katherina. It is used because, around the time that this play takes place; the men had more power over the women. This is shown in many ways throughout The Taming of the Shrew, one of which is during Petruchio and Katherina’s conversation.
“Petruchio: Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! Katherina: The moon? The sun! It is not moonlight now. Petruchio: I say it is the moon that shines so bright.” (4.5.2-4)
In this conversation, Petruchio is telling Katherina that it is the moon that is out and shining; however, Katherina, refusing to believe so, insists that it is the sun. Basically, Petruchio is telling Katherina that it is what he says it is, and is technically telling her what to think. Therefore, this is showing how Petruchio uses power over Katherina. Within the relationship of Bianca and Lucentio, power is abused. This is because Lucentio, being the male and the husband, should have power over Bianca, the female and wife; however, Bianca abuses this. This is shown in multiple places, such as in the following quote after Lucentio tells Biondello to get Bianca, “Sir, my mistress sends you word that she is busy, and she cannot come.” (5.2.81-82). Power is being abused because Bianca is refusing to do as she is told to do by