Taming Of The Shrew
The main plot of The Taming of the Shrew, hinges on the marriage of Katherine and Petruchio. Over the course of the play, there is significant tension between
Petruchio and Katherine’s relationship develops from one of disagreement and verbal sparring to one of peace and balance. When Katherine and Petruchio first get married, they both feel that they don't have anything in common. Petruchio is in the marriage for the money and Katherine has been chosen to marry Petruchio against her own wishes. However, they both seem to possess similar personalities, for example, their sarcasm and bad temper. These qualities are more obviously found in Katherine. Katherine is stubborn, ill-mannered, and does not allow herself to be ordered around by men. …show more content…
Katherine, once known as “Katherine the curst,” now becomes a completely tame and peaceful person. As the end of the play nears it is shown that Katherine has a completely new attitude about her roles as a woman and a wife. Katherine states that a husband asks only for his wife’s kindness and obedience, which represents but tiny payment for “so great a debt.” This shocking transformation is best shown when Katherine defends her husband Petruchio about a wife’s purpose in life. “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign--one that cares for thee”[Act 5, Scene 2, Line 147] This speech indicates the degree of Katherine’s character development over the course of the play—at first she began the play by fighting against her social role, but now goes on to say that a woman should prepare herself to do anything for her husband. Kate seems to have grown to revere and love Petruchio and has obtained a fullness of life that she could not have relished before as a former shrew. Therefore, Petruchio and Katherine’s relationship transforms and can become one of enjoyment and pleasure. Katherine can now be appreciated for who she is by someone who recognizes her unique character and deep devotion. She has gained a position and even an authoritative voice that she previously had been denied. Similarly, Petruchio now knows that his wife respects him and will all ways be there
Petruchio and Katherine’s relationship develops from one of disagreement and verbal sparring to one of peace and balance. When Katherine and Petruchio first get married, they both feel that they don't have anything in common. Petruchio is in the marriage for the money and Katherine has been chosen to marry Petruchio against her own wishes. However, they both seem to possess similar personalities, for example, their sarcasm and bad temper. These qualities are more obviously found in Katherine. Katherine is stubborn, ill-mannered, and does not allow herself to be ordered around by men. …show more content…
Katherine, once known as “Katherine the curst,” now becomes a completely tame and peaceful person. As the end of the play nears it is shown that Katherine has a completely new attitude about her roles as a woman and a wife. Katherine states that a husband asks only for his wife’s kindness and obedience, which represents but tiny payment for “so great a debt.” This shocking transformation is best shown when Katherine defends her husband Petruchio about a wife’s purpose in life. “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign--one that cares for thee”[Act 5, Scene 2, Line 147] This speech indicates the degree of Katherine’s character development over the course of the play—at first she began the play by fighting against her social role, but now goes on to say that a woman should prepare herself to do anything for her husband. Kate seems to have grown to revere and love Petruchio and has obtained a fullness of life that she could not have relished before as a former shrew. Therefore, Petruchio and Katherine’s relationship transforms and can become one of enjoyment and pleasure. Katherine can now be appreciated for who she is by someone who recognizes her unique character and deep devotion. She has gained a position and even an authoritative voice that she previously had been denied. Similarly, Petruchio now knows that his wife respects him and will all ways be there