Relationships in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew

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Masters and Husbands/ Wives and Servants: The Ideals of Renaissance The relationships between servants and masters closely reflect the gender relationships in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Lucentio and Tranio's relationship as master and servant is an ideal of the Renaissance era according to "An Homily on the State of Matrimony." Tranio risks taking the place of his master because of his love for him and Lucentio always treats him with kindness and respect, almost like an equal. Though they are not involved romantically, Lucentio and Tranio fulfill these ideals better than any marriage in The Taming of the Shrew. Lucentio's relationship with Bianca reflects his role with Tranio: Bianca shows respect for Lucentio as he cherishes her and treats her with kindness, however Bianca fails to complete her role as an ideal wife by obeying her husband. Petruchio and his servant, Grumio, have a much different relationship, however. Grumio often disobeys his master, while Petruchio insults and even beats him. These roles are echoed in Petruchio's relationship with Katherine. Shakespeare uses Lucentio and Tranio's relationship in the play as an ideal for both the master and servant relationship as well as gender relationships. Though Lucentio is the master, he always treats Tranio with respect and kind words. When the pair arrives in Padua, Lucentio tells Tranio that he his happy that he is with him: "And by my father's love and leave am arm'd with his good will and thy good company, my trusty servant well approv'd in all." [1] Rather than abusing his power over Tranio, he is grateful for him. In return Tranio refers to Lucentio as "gentle master mine" and "good master." [2] Tranio demonstrates his obedience in par... ... middle of paper ... ...shers, 1994. (1:1:5-8) [2] Ibid. 1.1.25-29 {http://3.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded/Oi8vd3d3LjEyM2hlbHBtZS5jb20%3D&f=norefer} [3] Ibid. 1.1.206-212{http://mason.gmu.edu/~rmatz/TSsamplef04.html} [4] Ibid. 1.1.232-238 {http://5.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded/Oi8vd3d3LnlvdXBvcm4uY29t&f=norefer} [5] Ibid. 5.1.115-6 {http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8} [6] Ed. McDonald, Russ. "An Homily of the state of Matrimony" Bedford Companion to Shakespeare, 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. Pg 288 [7] Ed. Alexander, Peter. "The Taming of the Shrew" 5.2.80-1 [8] Ed. McDonald, Russ. "An Homily of the state of Matrimony" Pg 288 [9] Ed. Alexander, Peter. "The Taming of the Shrew" 1.2.8 [10] Ed. McDonald, Russ. "An Homily of the state of Matrimony" Pg 288 [11] Ibid. Pg.288 [12] Ed. Alexander, Peter. "The Taming of the Shrew" 1.2.18

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