Taming Of The Shrew And 10 Things I Hate About You Analysis

The contrasting cast of William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” & Gil Junger’s “10 things I hate about you”
After watching both the play “Taming of the Shrew” and the movie “10 things I hate about you” I notice several differences, but equally enjoyed them both despite the lack of direct parallelism. If I had to choose between the two I would definitely say I enjoyed “Taming of the Shrew” in its original form, but “10 things I hate about you” had a modern-day twist that made it more relatable to my generation. Director Gil Junger, transformed Shakespearian characters into high school teenagers telling the same classic tale, while adding contemporary elements that revamped the original characters.
In comparison both Kat and Katherine are abusive. In 10 things, Kat is verbally abusive and harsh towards others and uses her voice to get her way, while
Katherine is more physically abusive than verbally and punches and hits people when she wants something. In “Taming of the Shrew,” Katherine hit Petruchio a few times testing rather or not he was a truly gentlemen, saying a true man of chivalry never strike her back. While Kat in 10 things uses her voice to act shrewish. For example Kat and Joey would always is how she would always have rude comments and strong remarks back to Joey when they sat next to each other in English class. This difference is significant as it completely changes the roles between Kat and Katherine, and thee way each character is portrayed. Although they are both viewed as “shrews,” Kat is an opinionated young woman who isn’t afraid to say what she thinks it feels, while Katherine is someone who’s voice isn’t taken seriously, so she has to be physically offensive towards other people for them to notice her.
Joey, in 10 things, plays an egotistical boy who only wants Bianca for the challenge of getting her and isn’t actually in love with her.
While Horsentio plays an authentic, nice character who actually wants to get closer to Bianca because he truly likes her. “So, will I, Signior Gremio; but a word, I pray. Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brook’d Parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both- that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress, and be happy rivals in Bianca’s love- to labor and effect one thing specially.” Joey would often times speak highly about himself and brag about modeling career. He had a very huge ego and was not shy about it, constantly tooting his own horn. In respect to how the piece is interpreted as this adds a modern factor to the movie. Horsentio character is unreliable, unlike the character he was developed into, Joey is the typical “high school jerk” that spectators can easily make a modern say connection to. The quote is about Horesntio planning on having a happy rivalry to win Bianca’s love, contrasting Joey who only wants Bianca for “fun” in the form of a
bet.
Lucentio is a very confident man with high self-esteem and is bold about his love for Bianca. In 10 things, Cameron also falls in love with Bianca, although he is hesitant and doubtful about his chances with her. “O Tranio, till I found to be true, I never thought it possible or likely. But see, while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness and now in plainness do fess to thee That art to me as secret and as dear As Anna to the Queen of Cathage was, Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl. Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst. Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou will.’ (Line 119-129) However, Cameron from 10 things, was very nervous when talking to Bianca. When they first meet, he was never sure or fully confident about getting her this was displayed when he would converse about her with Michael. Lucentio on the other hand was very bold about his love for Bianca as he is declaring how badly he wants her to Tranio, and is very confident about getting her. This is important as it changes the way we look at the relationship between Michael and Bianca in the movie 10 things.
In conclusion, both versions of the play told the story beautifully, yet their characters to new form in the later version of the two. Gil Junger’s form of the story was more relatable, but Shakespeare was more entertaining, and this was due to the portrayal of the characters. Both Kat and Katherine we perfect of examples of a woman being beyond strong, to make a statement. It lovely to see these hard characters change for love.