Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew

[Redzeppelin]

Thanks for the backup, #57. You have nicely pointed out something I think we lose sight of when we examine "Shrew." We are so so so sensitive today to any perceived "oppression" of women, minority groups, etc...that we forget that all these groups are still comprised of human beings - and, as such, are all prone to similar behaviors, male or female, black, white or whatever. People are very quick to see the play in chauvanist terms - but it is not Kate's femininity Petruccio wishes to "tame" - it is her rage, her impotent hostility at the world around her; and, granted, she has reason to be angry. The play hints clearly that Bianca is the "favored" daughter and that Kate may well be the "problem child" of Baptista. If Kate had "tamed" Petruccio, wouldn't the feminists simply applaud Shakespeare's "modern" ideas of how men need a woman's "refining" touch? But, only if it's a man doing the "taming" do people get uncomfortable because any assertiveness by a male towards a female is perceived as "oppression." Without Petruccio's "taming," what did Kate stand to gain from her railing against the world? Nothing. Petruccio rescued her from herself - there are few demonstrations of love greater than that.

[#57]

Yes, I must again agree with you, but I was not speaking of Kate's femininity. I was simply saying that she had "bottled herself up" in her anger and jealousy, trying not to show how hurt and sad she was. but don't get confused, I am no ladys man, (X X) I am just speaking-er-typing my mind.

[#57]

SWEET! I finally found out how to get an avatar! This I call "Inverted Cloud" 'cause it's cloud from Final Fantasy but with inverted colors!

[Redzeppelin]

Congratulations - cool avatar

[#57]

thnx. I have a signiture now, too! I am not usually a braggart though so tell me if I do start to brag a little. Oh! and plz check out my new thread!

[#57]

New avatar. It's Cthulu. Can't you tell?

[Cymela]

Hello,
I personally do not believe that Petruchio is the savior of Katherine, unlike some one else on this chat. (no offence, meant) He cares very little of her if at all, which he proves by saying in Act 1 Scene 2 Petruchio speaks with Hortensio "if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, As wealth is burden of my wooing dance, Be she as foul as was florentius' love, As old as Sibyl and as curst and shrewd As Socrates' Xanthippe, or worse, She moves me not, or not removes at least Affection's edge in me, were she as rough as are the swelling Adriatic seas. I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua." Now of course this is before he meets her. Peturchio loves Katherine, this is the most horrifying comment made because he makes her a captive in his own house after marriage. He isolates her from every one, not a servant of her own to talk to. she is forced to starve out of the name of love. He keeps her awake at all hours of the day which is sleep depervation, these are tactics used by concentration camps to extract information from the enemy.( which no matter what you call it is torture) Peturchio tells us that she is no more that an object to be played with in Act 4 scene 1 Petruchio " Thus have I politicly begun my reign, And 'tis my hope to end successfully. My falcon now is sharp and passing empty, And, till she stoop, she must not be full-gorged, For then she never looks upon her lure. Another way I have to man my haggard, To make her come and know her keeper's call. That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites That bate and beat and will not be obedient. She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat. Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not. As with the meat, some undeserved fault I'll find about the making of the bed, And here I'll flingthe pillow, there the bolster, This way the coverlet, another way the sheets. Ay, and amid this hurly I intend That all is done in reverend care of her. And, in conclusion, she shall watch all night, And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl And with a clamor keep her still awake. This is a way to kill a wife with kindness, And thus I'll curb her mad and head strong humor. He that knows better how to tame a shrew, Now let him speak; tis charity to show."

This shows that equality is out the window. He has no respect for her. She is forced to stay because in that time period there were no Womens Abuse Centers she could go to. She is a slave and yes i do believe her spirit is broken because she now realizes how small her cage really is.
Sorry for being so long winded I'll try not to do it next time.

[Redzeppelin]

Hello,
I personally do not believe that Petruchio is the savior of Katherine, unlike some one else on this chat. (no offence, meant) He cares very little of her if at all, which he proves by saying in Act 1 Scene 2 Petruchio speaks with Hortensio "if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, As wealth is burden of my wooing dance, Be she as foul as was florentius' love, As old as Sibyl and as curst and shrewd As Socrates' Xanthippe, or worse, She moves me not, or not removes at least Affection's edge in me, were she as rough as are the swelling Adriatic seas. I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua." Now of course this is before he meets her.

Petruchio's speech is full of hyperbole - and as such, not to be taken seriously. Much of Petruchio's behavior tends towards hyperbole and it is fitting that (as a man) he flings this kind of stuff out at hearing men cower at Kate's formidable rage. People who push the "money" motivation seem to act as if Petruchio was required to marry Kate after meeting her. He wasn't. He could easily have said "forget it - no amount of money is worth THAT." When females complain about Petruchio's perceived mercenary-intentions in marrying Kate (because it is usually females who see things this way) they show what I consider to be a misunderstanding of basic male nature: men generally want a peaceful home - we don't mind challenges out in the world, but we want a peaceful place to come home to. Why marry a woman who has proven that she intends to be a shrew? He could have said no.

Peturchio loves Katherine, this is the most horrifying comment made because he makes her a captive in his own house after marriage. He isolates her from every one, not a servant of her own to talk to. she is forced to starve out of the name of love. He keeps her awake at all hours of the day which is sleep depervation, these are tactics used by concentration camps to extract information from the enemy.( which no matter what you call it is torture)

I've heard this one too. The text does not indicate that Kate was being "starved", and there's nothing in her dialogue that indicates she's suffering. Ditto for the "sleep deprivation" thing. There is no proof that she is denied all food nor is there any proof that this lack of food or sleep extended beyond the first night back. I don't buy this argument - and certainly what he did to her is no worse than the unprovoked abuse (verbal and physical) she flung at anyone standing near her.

This shows that equality is out the window. He has no respect for her. She is forced to stay because in that time period there were no Womens Abuse Centers she could go to. She is a slave and yes i do believe her spirit is broken because she now realizes how small her cage really is.
Sorry for being so long winded I'll try not to do it next time.

What is missing from these attacks on Petruchio is a realistic appraisal of Kate. Would Kate really have been better off left to her shrewish ways? How happy would she have been? More likely she'd have been lonely and angry the rest of her bitter life. Is that better than what Petruchio offered her? Why is it that people (especially women) wish to make Kate into a victim when it is she who victimizes innocent people in the play? She's out-of-control, PERIOD. There is nothing redeeming about her behavior: she is standing up for nothing, she has no higher agenda that she believes in - she's just ANGRY. Petruchio simply put Kate through the petulant behavior that Kate dished out. Remember: if Petruchio really wanted to "tame" Kate into submission, he did it the long, hard way because it would have been easier and quicker to beat her (something medieval and renaissance soceity had no problem with). That he did not beat her or resort to verbal abuse pokes holes in these attacks on Petruchio as some abusive "slave master."