So, as we have discussed in class, the Taming of the Shrew is a very sexist play. The majority of the male characters in the work show their blatantly sexist characteristics by the words they say and by the way they treat the women in their lives. A prime example of sexism is the relationship between Petruchio and Katharina.
One of the first demonstrations of sexism by Petruchio in the work happens at a luncheon after he and Katharina's wedding. At the luncheon, the two are both surrounded by family and friends of Katharina. While this party is in their honor, Petruchio wants to leave immediately and does not acknowledge Katharina's protests. "I will be master of what is mine own. She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, my household stuff, my field, my barn, my horse, my ox, my ass, my anything; and here she stands, touch her whoever dare." This scene shows that Petruchio felt that he had dominion over Katharina and that she should do whatever he commanded.
Later in the play, the couple get into an argument over what time it was. While this may seem a very rudimentary argument, for Petruchio it is more. He sees this argument as a test of his manly dominion and will not back down, despite his obviously being wrong. "Look what I speak, or do, or think to do, you are still crossing it.--Sirs, let't alone. I will not go today, and ere I do, it shall be what o'clock I say it is." Here, Petruchio practically states that his opinion is the only one that matters. He openly disregards Katharina's statements and shows his disrespect for her and her opinions.
Lastly, in the final scene of the play, Petruchio engages in a very sexist bet with Hortensio and Lucentio. The three make a hefty wager on whose wife will answer their call the fastest. After neither Hortensio nor Lucentio's wives come after being summoned by their husbands, Petruchio does the same. After Katharina answers his call and comes to him, he begins to boast and show his dominion over her by commanding her to throw off her hat. "See where she comes and brings your forward wives as prisoners to her womanly persuasion--- Katharina, that cap of yours becomes you not. Off with that bauble. Throw it underfoot." This scene shows how Petruchio feels that he needs to control Katharina in every aspect in her life, even with what she wears.
These examples show that the relationship between Petruchio and Katharina was a highly one-sided relationship. While Katharine started out the play being a very strong opinionated person with much to say, by the end of the play Petruchio's sexism had broken her down severely. In return, Petruchio got exactly what he wanted, a wife with low self esteem willing to obey his every command.
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Hannah · 628 weeks ago
pingas · 489 weeks ago
Cameron Ward · 432 weeks ago
Shakespeare used this work as societal commentary on sexism and societal power-structures between men and women. Petruchio through the entirety of the play respected no-one, save it be Kate.
------------- One of the first demonstrations of sexism by Petruchio in the work happens at a luncheon after he and Katharina's wedding. At the luncheon, the two are both surrounded by family and friends of Katharina. While this party is in their honor, Petruchio wants to leave immediately and does not acknowledge Katharina's protests. "I will be master of what is mine own. She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, my household stuff, my field, my barn, my horse, my ox, my ass, my anything; and here she stands, touch her whoever dare." This scene shows that Petruchio felt that he had dominion over Katharina and that she should do whatever he commanded.------------------
Let's not forget the entire play that everyone hated Kate, and when he ran off with her, punched the priest, and proclaimed her his property, he actually compelled empathy for Kate and all of those watching. They felt sorry for her, for the first time in their lives, that she had to be married to "the Devil himself". What he really did, in this context, by screaming that she was his property, Petruchio conflated the way society saw women and used it as a tool against society itself. Women at the time were almost considered property and by using it against society, Petruchio forced them (and there by Shakespeares audience) to look at this in a negative light.
Cameron Ward · 432 weeks ago
The worst thing and arguably only bad thing Petruchio did was the method he used to compel 'obedience' out of Kate was starving her (I'll get to the bet and Speech shortly) and depriving her of sleep, all of which he did along side her and with her. All of which was meant to actually show her that fierce opposition to societal norms, while noble depending on the means and mode, isn't always necessary or effective. Kates 'curst' behavior got her nowhere in life and probably would have her marrying the slime ball Gremio, an actual sexist and misogynist. Petruchio showed her both extremes of societal behavior; extreme opposition and compulsion. Neither of which is good, but he shows her that basically flattering those around you can get you what you want. While it might be hard for many in our day to disregard their principles to get what we want Kate and Petruchio both get what they want by doing this. Petruchio flatters Baptista to secure his hand to marry her and Kate flatters the notions of what an acceptable woman is in all the eyes of the men to now surpass her sister and win her father's favor (which is one of the only things she wants.)
Cameron Ward · 432 weeks ago
Our purses shall be proud, our garments poor;
For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich". He tells her that expensive clothes or outward appearances don't matter as much as what we really are inside. The inference is; though we may appear one way to society it doesn't change who we are on the inside. And the point of them wearing average clothing as opposed to expensive or nice clothing is to show her that while we can look poor and be rich wouldn't you rather look and feel rich. This goes back to Kate putting on a show of resentment toward all men and her insulting all of them constantly. While she is under her rough exterior; a nice (not necessarily meek as many of her time would want), intelligent person, with a desire to be loved and to love, she instead constantly berates and goes contrary to anything anyone says, good or bad. Petruchio's point is to show her that while you can act that way it won't really get you anywhere and even then it's not your true self, so if you're going to lie about your character and trick those around you into believing something dishonest about your true charterer, due so in beguilement and flatter them rather than drive them away.
Finally, at the conclusion the play she gives a speech about the role of a woman for a bet Petruchio places on her. Kate as head strong and intelligent as she was did not submit to him because what he did would not be enough to compel this level of obedience by command, she is saying this by choice. Her whole speech itself is a bit over-exaggerated and she did this in flattery of the men. If she did this sincerely then the whole speech would seem completely sincere. And because of her speech all of the men now want her as their wife and they now hold secret contempt for their current spouses and now she has passed up Bianca as the favorite child in Baptista's eyes. What could would she have gotten if she made an argument for women's rights? Probably she'd be hated again sadly. Currently because of petruchio's actions at the wedding everyone loves her more than petruchio and now they love her more than all the other girls. Petruchio simply taught Kate to play his game. By saying what needs to be said (whether we personally object/ suspend our principles or not) he taught her that she can get what ever she wants.
The irony that I see in most people's interpretation of the work is that Shakspeare actually left Kate with more power by means of Petruchio showing her the way there. That final speech actually puts her above all the other men.
allmobitools · 299 weeks ago