A Critique of The Taming of the Shrew

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Recommended: Brief introduction to William Shakespeare

A Critique of The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew is one of the earliest comedies

written by William Shakespeare. Some

scholars believe it may have been his first work written for the stage as well

as his first comedy (Shakespearean 310). The earliest record of it being

performed on stage is in 1593 or 1594. It is thought by many to be one of

Shakespeare's most immature plays (Cyclopedia 1106).

In The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio was the only suitor willing to

court Kate, the more undesirable of Baptista's two daughters. Kate was never

described as unattractive (Elizabeth Taylor played her role in one film of the

production), but was known for her shrewish behavior around all of Padua.

Bianca, on the other hand was very sweet and charming and beautiful; for these

reasons many suitors wooed her. Kate was presented to be much more intelligent

and witty than Bianca, but, ironically, she could not compete with Bianca

because of these witty comebacks and caustic remarks she made (Dash 830). All

of the men who desired Bianca needed somebody to marry Kate, as it was customary

for the older daughter to be married before the young one. Finally, Petruchio

came along to court Kate, saying he wanted to marry wealthily in Padua. It

appeared, though, as if Petruchio was the kind of man who needed an opposition

in life. The shrewish Kate, who was known to have a sharp tongue, very

adequately filled his need for another powerful character in a relationship

(Kahn 419). When Petruchio began to woo Kate, everybody was rather surprised,

but Signior Baptista agreed when Petruchio wanted marry her on Saturday of the

week he met her. Clearly, he was not opposed because he wanted to hurry and get

Kate married so she would not be in Bianca's way anymore. Petruchio showed up

to the wedding late and in strange attire, but nevertheless they were married

that Saturday. Petruchio began his famous process of taming his bride.

From the beginning, Petruchio wanted to dominate a relationship of two

dominating personalities. He sought to tame her in a nonviolent but still

somewhat cruel fashion. Petruchio's method of "taming" Kate featured depriving

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