The DramaThe Drama

How does this How does this compare with the compare with the

novel?novel?

““The essence of The essence of drama is conflict”drama is conflict”

Identify the conflicts in the Identify the conflicts in the play play

(note similarity / difference (note similarity / difference from the novel)from the novel)

Direct Direct confrontationsconfrontations

Very Very physicalphysical

Highly Highly verbal verbal

Direct Direct confrontationsconfrontationsThe hostess & SlyThe hostess & Sly

Kate & BaptistaKate & BaptistaKate & Bianca’s Kate & Bianca’s

suitorssuitorsKate & BiancaKate & BiancaKate & PetruchioKate & PetruchioPetruchio & the Petruchio & the

other husbands other husbands (the BET)(the BET)

The suitors The suitors (bidding) (bidding)

What do you notice What do you notice about the conflicts?about the conflicts?Most of the conflicts involve Most of the conflicts involve

Kate and they are not usually Kate and they are not usually resolved:resolved:

She always exits in anger:She always exits in anger:- after quarrelling with Bianca’s suitors- after quarrelling with Bianca’s suitors

- after accusing Baptista of - after accusing Baptista of favouritism, “She is your treasure”favouritism, “She is your treasure”

What do you notice What do you notice about the conflicts?about the conflicts?Not resolved:Not resolved:

She is systematically denied a voice:She is systematically denied a voice:

- has no lines after protesting against - has no lines after protesting against Petruchio’s proposal to marry herPetruchio’s proposal to marry her

- carried off without having a taste of the - carried off without having a taste of the bridal feastbridal feast

- led away to her chamber after being - led away to her chamber after being denied fooddenied food

- silenced by Petruchio’s command to - silenced by Petruchio’s command to “Look what I speak, or do, or think to do” “Look what I speak, or do, or think to do”

What do you notice What do you notice about the conflicts?about the conflicts?

‘‘Resolution’ comes in the form Resolution’ comes in the form of Katherina’s acquiescence to of Katherina’s acquiescence to Petruchio’s commands. Petruchio’s commands.

Kate has no soliloquy, only Kate has no soliloquy, only what she says to others: what she says to others: Ambiguity in how she views Ambiguity in how she views her marriage.her marriage.

Conflicts & Conflicts & KatherinaKatherina

Kate presented as constantly Kate presented as constantly ANGRY ANGRY

The suitors’ insults: public humiliationThe suitors’ insults: public humiliation

Bap’s favouritism & authorityBap’s favouritism & authority

Refusal to submit to a ‘type’, use deceitRefusal to submit to a ‘type’, use deceit

Being forced to marry PetBeing forced to marry Pet

Humiliation by PetHumiliation by Pet

Not having her wayNot having her way

Conflicts & Conflicts & KatherinaKatherina

The significance of Kate’s ANGERThe significance of Kate’s ANGER

Combative (like Louie)Combative (like Louie)

Restless: her Restless: her needneed to speak up to speak up

The Individual against the system The Individual against the system (Patriarchy)(Patriarchy)

Her VOICEHer VOICE

““Language of revolt and anger” – Language of revolt and anger” – resistanceresistance through combative through combative

languagelanguage

Conflicts & The PlayConflicts & The Play

Conflicts generate TENSIONConflicts generate TENSION

Tension is central to a play Tension is central to a play

Conflicts & The PlayConflicts & The PlayTension is central to a play Tension is central to a play

Highlights the sexual tension between Highlights the sexual tension between K & P K & P

Man-woman relationship involves Man-woman relationship involves power strugglepower struggle

marriage a means to subdue the marriage a means to subdue the independent-minded Katherinaindependent-minded Katherina

K’s submission visually indicated by K’s submission visually indicated by her kissing Pher kissing P

Constant testing suggests tensionConstant testing suggests tension

Conflicts & The PlayConflicts & The PlayTension is central to a play Tension is central to a play

Highlights K’s OthernessHighlights K’s Otherness

K’s exclusion stemming from her K’s exclusion stemming from her outspokennessoutspokenness

Bianca’s silence “flouts” KBianca’s silence “flouts” K

Her interactions with others marked Her interactions with others marked by conflicts, disharmony because by conflicts, disharmony because she refuses to submit to a ‘type’she refuses to submit to a ‘type’

Notes to sum up Part INotes to sum up Part I While writing about drama, make mentions of ‘the audience’ (treat as singular) and While writing about drama, make mentions of ‘the audience’ (treat as singular) and

constantly show awareness of what the playwright is doing to create stage effect.constantly show awareness of what the playwright is doing to create stage effect. Conflict is the essence of Shakespearian plays. In Conflict is the essence of Shakespearian plays. In ShrewShrew, the conflicts are both physical , the conflicts are both physical

(violent) & verbal (insults, quarrels)(violent) & verbal (insults, quarrels) Conflicts in Conflicts in ShrewShrew involve Kate predominantly. Why? She’s the outsider, rebelling against a involve Kate predominantly. Why? She’s the outsider, rebelling against a

system that discriminates against someone like her: loud, noisy, unmalleable, rough, system that discriminates against someone like her: loud, noisy, unmalleable, rough, forthright. These traits of Kate are presented as undesirable in a woman. Such traits have forthright. These traits of Kate are presented as undesirable in a woman. Such traits have no place in the patriarchal system, as the conflicts between Kate & the suitors emphasise. no place in the patriarchal system, as the conflicts between Kate & the suitors emphasise. Ironically, though the men in the play deny she has a rightful place in their society, they Ironically, though the men in the play deny she has a rightful place in their society, they assign her a label, that of a ‘shrew’ or a ‘scold’. Interesting, a parallel can be found in both assign her a label, that of a ‘shrew’ or a ‘scold’. Interesting, a parallel can be found in both novels as well. Ruth and Jeanette, both outsiders to their communities, have their ‘outsider’ novels as well. Ruth and Jeanette, both outsiders to their communities, have their ‘outsider’ status confirmed in the labels they are given, ‘transient’ for Ruth, and ‘lesbian’ for Jeanette. status confirmed in the labels they are given, ‘transient’ for Ruth, and ‘lesbian’ for Jeanette. These labels are meant to indicate their rejection and marginalisation by their societies. These labels are meant to indicate their rejection and marginalisation by their societies.

These conflicts are symptomatic of disorder in society. This disorder is captured in the These conflicts are symptomatic of disorder in society. This disorder is captured in the images and language of violence. Images like ‘loud alarum’ (find other similar images) images and language of violence. Images like ‘loud alarum’ (find other similar images) emphasise dissonance. Kate puns on ‘frets’ so that instead of learning the frets that emphasise dissonance. Kate puns on ‘frets’ so that instead of learning the frets that produce harmonious music, she literally ‘frets’ by breaking the lute over Hortensio’s head, produce harmonious music, she literally ‘frets’ by breaking the lute over Hortensio’s head, thus producing disharmony. thus producing disharmony.

Kate’s combative presence, marked by all the conflicts she has with others, is portrayed as Kate’s combative presence, marked by all the conflicts she has with others, is portrayed as the source of disorder. The taming of Kate is thus presented as necessary for the the source of disorder. The taming of Kate is thus presented as necessary for the restoration of order in her society.restoration of order in her society.

Conflict is also a central concern in Conflict is also a central concern in OrangesOranges. Jeanette’s conflicts with her mother, teachers . Jeanette’s conflicts with her mother, teachers and, subsequently, her conflict with the larger institution, the Church, are essential and, subsequently, her conflict with the larger institution, the Church, are essential indicators of her development from compliant child and servant of God to independent indicators of her development from compliant child and servant of God to independent woman.woman.

The same cannot be said for The same cannot be said for HousekeepingHousekeeping, except for the conflict between the sisters, and , except for the conflict between the sisters, and that between Lucille and Sylvie. Tension is generated mostly by estrangement: between that between Lucille and Sylvie. Tension is generated mostly by estrangement: between mother an ddaughters, between sisters, between the transients and the Fingerbone mother an ddaughters, between sisters, between the transients and the Fingerbone community.community.

The DuellingThe Duelling

Language Language

Interaction between Interaction between characters characters

Katherina speaks Katherina speaks upup

I pray you, sir, is it your willI pray you, sir, is it your will

To make a stale of me amongst these To make a stale of me amongst these

matesmates??

[anger at being made a public [anger at being made a public spectacle]spectacle]

A pretty peat! It is best put finger in the A pretty peat! It is best put finger in the eye, and she knew why.eye, and she knew why.

[scornful of deceptive tricks; sense [scornful of deceptive tricks; sense of injustice]of injustice]

Katherina speaks Katherina speaks upupWhat? Shall I be appointed hours, as though, What? Shall I be appointed hours, as though,

belike, I knew not what to take and what to belike, I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha?leave? Ha?

[outright defiance of father’s authority][outright defiance of father’s authority]

Nay, now I seeNay, now I see

She is your treasure, she must have a husband,She is your treasure, she must have a husband,

I must dance barefoot on her wedding-day,I must dance barefoot on her wedding-day,

And for your love to her lead apes in hellAnd for your love to her lead apes in hell

Talk not to me, I will go sit and weep,Talk not to me, I will go sit and weep,

Till I can find occasion of revenge.Till I can find occasion of revenge.

[anger at injustice; ‘revenge’ – [anger at injustice; ‘revenge’ – threatening]threatening]

Katherina speaks Katherina speaks upupI see a woman may be made a foodI see a woman may be made a food

If she had not a spirit to resist.If she had not a spirit to resist.

[outright defiance of husband’s authority][outright defiance of husband’s authority]

Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speakspeak

And speak I will…My tongue will And speak I will…My tongue will tell the anger of my tell the anger of my heartheart,,

Or else my heart concealing it will break,Or else my heart concealing it will break,

And rather than that it shall, I will be And rather than that it shall, I will be freefree

Even to the uttermost, as I please, Even to the uttermost, as I please, in words.in words.

[right to feel, right to express feelings – [right to feel, right to express feelings – freedom in both the basis of her freedom in both the basis of her humanity]humanity]

Strategic Silences Strategic Silences Petruchio’s proposal accepted – Petruchio’s proposal accepted –

extensive speech that deliberately extensive speech that deliberately inverts K’s qualitiesinverts K’s qualities

P’s arrival in rags – long description P’s arrival in rags – long description of P’s appearance & exchange with of P’s appearance & exchange with Bap & TraBap & Tra

P’s abuse of the servantsP’s abuse of the servants

Argument between Grumio & TailorArgument between Grumio & Tailor

Room for ambiguity: how is she Room for ambiguity: how is she silenced?silenced?

Katherina talks to Katherina talks to PetruchioPetruchio

Watch video Watch video excerpt 1 excerpt 1 & & excerpt 2excerpt 2

Notes:Notes:

How the film version differs from How the film version differs from the text the text

The nature of the exchangeThe nature of the exchangeHow the director handles K’s How the director handles K’s

acquiescence to Pet’s proposal acquiescence to Pet’s proposal Here’s an Here’s an analysisanalysis

Katherina talks to Katherina talks to PetruchioPetruchio

Notes:Notes:The exchange is quick, unrelentingThe exchange is quick, unrelentingPuns & wordplay, including sexual Puns & wordplay, including sexual

puns: K is an even match for Petpuns: K is an even match for PetPetruchio’s language is linguistically Petruchio’s language is linguistically

similar to K’s in its puns and wordplaysimilar to K’s in its puns and wordplayPet attempts to make K a Bianca, with Pet attempts to make K a Bianca, with

wordswordsWooing here is characterised by highly Wooing here is characterised by highly

imaginative use of language and imaginative use of language and impromptu linguistic play vs. the impromptu linguistic play vs. the wooing of Bianca (B repeat verbatim wooing of Bianca (B repeat verbatim Luc’s words)Luc’s words)

Notes to sum up Part IINotes to sum up Part II Examine Kate’s voice: it stands out because it’s loud and dissonant. Anger marks Examine Kate’s voice: it stands out because it’s loud and dissonant. Anger marks

most of her speeches, and is the key characteristic of Katherina’s voice.most of her speeches, and is the key characteristic of Katherina’s voice.

Notice that when Kate speaks in anger, the audience is left in doubt of how she feels. Notice that when Kate speaks in anger, the audience is left in doubt of how she feels. Her angry speeches are explicit in showing her frustration, sense of injustice being Her angry speeches are explicit in showing her frustration, sense of injustice being done to her and bitterness at being constantly humiliated publicly.done to her and bitterness at being constantly humiliated publicly.

One key speech comes in Act 4, where she makes a stand on her right to speech. In One key speech comes in Act 4, where she makes a stand on her right to speech. In this speech, she makes the crucial connection between being able to voice her true this speech, she makes the crucial connection between being able to voice her true feelings and being free. So being able to express clearly her feelings is essential for feelings and being free. So being able to express clearly her feelings is essential for her well-being. her well-being.

Curiously, Kate’s speeches become less and less strident after that last protest. The Curiously, Kate’s speeches become less and less strident after that last protest. The less angry her speeches are, the more the audience become doubtful of her real less angry her speeches are, the more the audience become doubtful of her real feelings. How does she feel about being forced to call Vincentio a maiden? Is her last feelings. How does she feel about being forced to call Vincentio a maiden? Is her last speech, consisting mainly of conventional wisdom about a woman’s duties, a true speech, consisting mainly of conventional wisdom about a woman’s duties, a true reflection of her feelings. There is no longer any reference to highly person feelings, reflection of her feelings. There is no longer any reference to highly person feelings, like “anger to my heart”, but only commonplace sentiments. The sincerity and like “anger to my heart”, but only commonplace sentiments. The sincerity and forthrightness of her previous speeaches are lost. This can be an argument in favour forthrightness of her previous speeaches are lost. This can be an argument in favour of Katherina’s loss of individuality/disempowerment.of Katherina’s loss of individuality/disempowerment.

The Side ShowThe Side Show

The sub plot: The sub plot: IntriguesIntrigues

What sub-plot?What sub-plot?Trickery: role-switching & Trickery: role-switching &

disguises (to woo Bianca on the disguises (to woo Bianca on the sly)sly)

The wooing of Bianca: Lucentio & The wooing of Bianca: Lucentio & HortensioHortensio

Bianca’s secret engagementBianca’s secret engagement

Mistaken identity: fake Vincentio Mistaken identity: fake Vincentio meets the real dealmeets the real deal

Bianca & KatherinaBianca & KatherinaBianca as a foil to KatherinaBianca as a foil to Katherina

Her silence flouts KatherinaHer silence flouts Katherina

““That wench is stark mad or wonderful That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward”froward”

““But in the other’s silence do I see / But in the other’s silence do I see / Maid’s mild behaviour and sobriety”Maid’s mild behaviour and sobriety”

Her silent exit (“To your pleasure Her silent exit (“To your pleasure humbly I subscribe”) vs K’s tantrum humbly I subscribe”) vs K’s tantrum (“shall I be appointed hours”)(“shall I be appointed hours”)

Bianca & KatherinaBianca & KatherinaNon-threatening: loves poetry, Non-threatening: loves poetry,

musicmusicCelebrated / placed on a pedestal:Celebrated / placed on a pedestal:Sweet BiancaSweet Bianca

Fair BiancaFair Bianca

Young modest girlYoung modest girl

““perfume the air. / Sacred and sweet” (Lucentio) perfume the air. / Sacred and sweet” (Lucentio) vs vs “curst and shrewd”“curst and shrewd”

She is sweeter than perfume herself (Gremio)She is sweeter than perfume herself (Gremio)

The jewel of my life (Hortensio)The jewel of my life (Hortensio)

So beloved of me ((Hor)So beloved of me ((Hor)

The choice love of Signior GremioThe choice love of Signior Gremio

She is your treasureShe is your treasure

The prizeThe prize

Assured place in the patriarchyAssured place in the patriarchy

Bianca & KatherinaBianca & KatherinaLove for Bianca declared in Love for Bianca declared in

conventional lover’s terms (“I conventional lover’s terms (“I burn, I pine, I perish”) but Pet burn, I pine, I perish”) but Pet declares that he is “rough and declares that he is “rough and woo not like a babe”woo not like a babe”

The Bianca-Luc intrigue becomes The Bianca-Luc intrigue becomes a comment on Kate-Pet a comment on Kate-Pet relationship: one is based on relationship: one is based on illusions of love; the other on illusions of love; the other on brutal reality (“I come to wive it brutal reality (“I come to wive it wealthily in Padua”)wealthily in Padua”)

Bianca & KatherinaBianca & KatherinaBianca plays by the rule and Bianca plays by the rule and

subverts the system from within; subverts the system from within; Katherina rebels openly and is Katherina rebels openly and is forced into submissionforced into submission

Bianca gets to choose her mate; Pet Bianca gets to choose her mate; Pet is forced on Kate: woman’s wiles is forced on Kate: woman’s wiles

Words, words, words: women are Words, words, words: women are what men make of them. Luc what men make of them. Luc creates a perfect image of Bianca, creates a perfect image of Bianca, Pet insists on misrepresenting Kate.Pet insists on misrepresenting Kate.

The ComedyThe Comedy

ShrewShrew as Comedy as Comedy““a work in which materials are selected a work in which materials are selected

and managed primarily to interest and and managed primarily to interest and amuse us”amuse us”

““The characters and their discomfitures The characters and their discomfitures engage our delighted attention rather engage our delighted attention rather

than our profound concern.”than our profound concern.”

““We feel confident that no great disaster We feel confident that no great disaster will occur, and usually the action turns will occur, and usually the action turns out happily for the chief characters.”out happily for the chief characters.”

ShrewShrew as Farce as Farce““a comic dramatic work using a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and buffoonery and horseplay and

typically including crude typically including crude characterisation and ludicrously characterisation and ludicrously

improbable situations”improbable situations”

Defining features: Defining features:

Horseplay, buffoonery, vulgarity Horseplay, buffoonery, vulgarity

Use of improvisionsUse of improvisionsExtended improvisational passages, Extended improvisational passages,

with extravagant physical byplaywith extravagant physical byplay

Some examples:Some examples:

‘‘knock me here’ gagknock me here’ gag

““I’ll buckler thee against a million” I’ll buckler thee against a million”

Petruchio abusing his servantsPetruchio abusing his servantsTrickery: the pedant as VincentioTrickery: the pedant as Vincentio

Mistaken identity: Vincentio & the Mistaken identity: Vincentio & the PedantPedant

Commedia dell’arteCommedia dell’arte““Italian comedy that relies Italian comedy that relies on stock characters, largely on stock characters, largely improvised dialogue around improvised dialogue around

a given scenario.”a given scenario.”

Developed in the mid 16Developed in the mid 16thth century by guilds of century by guilds of

professional Italian actors.professional Italian actors.

Use of stock Use of stock characterscharacters

Petruchio – the cavalierPetruchio – the cavalier

Baptista & Gremio – the PantaloonsBaptista & Gremio – the Pantaloons

The servants – provide the visual The servants – provide the visual gagsgags

The lovers – typically clever and The lovers – typically clever and wilful girl and her loverwilful girl and her lover

Katherina – the shrewish wifeKatherina – the shrewish wife

Shrew Shrew as a comedy?as a comedy?

Treating it as a comedy trivialises Treating it as a comedy trivialises K’s suffering.K’s suffering.

K’s happiness is assumed once she K’s happiness is assumed once she submits.submits.

Chaos (K) tamed into order Chaos (K) tamed into order (patriarchy?)(patriarchy?)

Resolution? (tamed a curst shrew)Resolution? (tamed a curst shrew)

Shrew Shrew as a comedy?as a comedy?

Here’s what Penny Gay says:Here’s what Penny Gay says:

Shakespeare turns “a classical Shakespeare turns “a classical farce, where artificial chaos is farce, where artificial chaos is

finally resolved in a simple finally resolved in a simple solution, into something far more solution, into something far more

unstable …”.unstable …”.

AmbiguitiesAmbiguitiesHow does the actress in the role of How does the actress in the role of

Katherina respond to Petruchio’s Katherina respond to Petruchio’s abuse of his servants?abuse of his servants?

Petruchio’s physical restraining of Petruchio’s physical restraining of Kate: too close to the farcical beating Kate: too close to the farcical beating to be comfortable?to be comfortable?

How will K do her ‘obedience’ speech? How will K do her ‘obedience’ speech? With heavy irony?With heavy irony?

The play ends with Lucentio’s The play ends with Lucentio’s wondering, “’Tis a wonder…she will be wondering, “’Tis a wonder…she will be tam’d so”tam’d so”

Ends with Pet’s crowing about his Ends with Pet’s crowing about his winning – couched in terms of winning – couched in terms of monetary wager.monetary wager.

AmbiguitiesAmbiguitiesExplicit bargaining between Bap & Explicit bargaining between Bap &

the suitors; Bap & Petthe suitors; Bap & PetPet speaks of ‘specialties’ and Pet speaks of ‘specialties’ and

‘covenants’, Bap insists on love, ‘covenants’, Bap insists on love, “when the special thing is well “when the special thing is well obtain’d / That is, her love; for that obtain’d / That is, her love; for that is all in all.”is all in all.”

Bap suggests later that Bianca’s love Bap suggests later that Bianca’s love can be purchased, “he of both / That can be purchased, “he of both / That can assure my daughter greatest can assure my daughter greatest dower / Shall have my Bianca’s dower / Shall have my Bianca’s love”. Sits uncomfortably with Bap love”. Sits uncomfortably with Bap assuming the “merchant’s role”.assuming the “merchant’s role”.

AmbiguitiesAmbiguities

After Katherina’s unwilling exit with After Katherina’s unwilling exit with Pet, Bap resumes ‘business as usual’ Pet, Bap resumes ‘business as usual’ by ominously asking Bianca to “take by ominously asking Bianca to “take her sister’s place”her sister’s place”

Trania’s tease, “Shall sweet Bianca Trania’s tease, “Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it” hints at practise how to bride it” hints at female subordination being female subordination being inevitable.inevitable.

Not an unalloyed celebrations of Not an unalloyed celebrations of nuptials – hints of disharmony, nuptials – hints of disharmony, appearances vs realityappearances vs reality

The MetaphorsThe Metaphors

Of shrew, falconry Of shrew, falconry and household and household

chattelschattels

ShrewShrewP123 Introduction:P123 Introduction: Associated with the devil: evil, malignantAssociated with the devil: evil, malignant

characteristics of the shrew: energy, characteristics of the shrew: energy, irascibility, noiseirascibility, noise

shrew’s image best conveys K’s shrew’s image best conveys K’s restlessness & aggressiveness restlessness & aggressiveness

K’s ranting dismissed as unpleasant, K’s ranting dismissed as unpleasant, ‘noise’; largely ineffectual because she ‘noise’; largely ineffectual because she doesn’t speak the language (of doesn’t speak the language (of obedience and submission) endorsed by obedience and submission) endorsed by the patriarchy.the patriarchy.

ShrewShrew Literary figure of the shrew/scold: Literary figure of the shrew/scold:

male fantasy of female dominancemale fantasy of female dominance

Scolding as verbal rebellionScolding as verbal rebellion

Shrew Shrew Effects of such a presentation: Effects of such a presentation: - Totally contrary to presentation of Totally contrary to presentation of

Bianca as “treasure”, “jewel”Bianca as “treasure”, “jewel”- Demeaning: as used by the suitorsDemeaning: as used by the suitors- Signals her rejection by others: the Signals her rejection by others: the

shrew is not a well-loved animal. Her shrew is not a well-loved animal. Her OthernessOtherness

- A misunderstood animal wrongly A misunderstood animal wrongly attributed with devious attributed with devious characteristics.characteristics.

- The image of the shrew is replaced The image of the shrew is replaced by the image of the falcon in Act 4.by the image of the falcon in Act 4.

FalconryFalconryKate as untrained falcon who Kate as untrained falcon who

must be “manned” & testedmust be “manned” & tested

Extended imagery of taming: Extended imagery of taming: relentless images of masteryrelentless images of mastery

the relationship between the gentleman and his hawk is one of mutual respect and dependence. The hawk is a killer bird, but it will return to the master after the kill.

FalconryFalconryEffects of such a presentation:Effects of such a presentation:

Emphasises the domestication of Emphasises the domestication of Kate: her wild nature tamedKate: her wild nature tamed

Establishes the relationship between K & Pet as one between servant & master; a relationship that rests on docility and tameness on Kate’s part

Seen positively? K retains her formidable trait (her speech); subjugated only to Pet.

Economic imagesEconomic imagesSpecialities & covenantsSpecialities & covenantsConformable as other household Kates Conformable as other household Kates

(cate = purchases); super-dainty Kate (cate = purchases); super-dainty Kate (K’s dowry is worth twenty thousand (K’s dowry is worth twenty thousand crowns & one half of Bap’s landscrowns & one half of Bap’s lands

She’s my goods, my chattels…She’s my goods, my chattels…Kate is “a commodity lay fretting”Kate is “a commodity lay fretting”Bap plays “a merchant’s part / And Bap plays “a merchant’s part / And

venture madly on a desperate mart”venture madly on a desperate mart”Bianca is a “treasure”, a “jewel”Bianca is a “treasure”, a “jewel”Success of marriage measured by a Success of marriage measured by a

wager.wager.

Economic images Economic images Effects of such a presentation:Effects of such a presentation:

Marriage as a business Marriage as a business transaction: satirises Luc’s transaction: satirises Luc’s romantic and unrealistic illusionsromantic and unrealistic illusions

Women are commodified: assigned an economic value & traded by men (economy is the language of patriarchy)

Seen as possessions: ownership to Seen as possessions: ownership to be claimed. No place for the be claimed. No place for the individuals individuals

Economic images Economic images Effects of such a presentation:Effects of such a presentation:

Bianca’s independence is Bianca’s independence is measured in economic terms, measured in economic terms, “The wisdom of your duty, fair “The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca, / Hath cost me a hundred Bianca, / Hath cost me a hundred crowns since supper-time”crowns since supper-time”

Kate’s obedience wins her Kate’s obedience wins her another twenty thousand crowns another twenty thousand crowns as dowry from Bap, “For she’s as dowry from Bap, “For she’s chang’d, as she had never been”chang’d, as she had never been”

The women & The The women & The MenMen

The women & The MenThe women & The Men Rivalry – unresolved Rivalry – unresolved

Physical fights, verbal Physical fights, verbal jousting, “To her, jousting, “To her, Kate!”, “To her, Kate!”, “To her, widow!”widow!”

Ends with Kate’s Ends with Kate’s admonition to the wivesadmonition to the wives

Bitterness, jealousy, “I Bitterness, jealousy, “I am mean, indeed, am mean, indeed, respecting you”respecting you”

Rivalry – resolved for Rivalry – resolved for mutual interests, “since mutual interests, “since this bar in law makes us this bar in law makes us friends, it shall be so far friends, it shall be so far forth friendly forth friendly maintained…”maintained…”

Tranio (disguised as Luc) Tranio (disguised as Luc) & Hor united in spurning & Hor united in spurning BiancaBianca

Joviality, camaraderie the Joviality, camaraderie the hallmark of men’s hallmark of men’s relationshipsrelationships

Networks / connections: “I Networks / connections: “I know him well. You are know him well. You are welcome for his sake.”, “I welcome for his sake.”, “I know her father…and he know her father…and he knew my deceased father knew my deceased father well” well”

Questions for thinkingQuestions for thinking

“Come on, and kiss me, Kate!”

How far do you think Shakespeare has presented a satisfactory resolution to the conflict between the sexes in The Taming of the Shrew?

“…this puppet, this doll, this shell of a woman.”

Do you agree this is how Katherina is presented at the end of the play?

Questions for thinkingQuestions for thinking

Consider the ways in which the concept of the ‘shrew’ is used and developed in the play.

Questions for thinkingQuestions for thinking

“For all their sparring, Katherine and Petruchio are a well-matched pair.”

How far do you agree with this comment on the play’s central relationship?

Questions for thinkingQuestions for thinking