Similarities Between 10 Things I Hate About You And Taming Of The Shrew

William Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew is a timeless classic that is written in context to the social assumptions of the Elizabethan era. Since it was first performed in 1593, there have been many adaptations of Shakespeare’s play, to match societal norms of when each text was composed. In 1999 Gil Junger directed the most recognisable adaptation of the classic when 10 Things I Hate About You was released. Although there are similarities between the two texts the director’s ideologies differ from each other greatly. Resulting in two very similar texts representing their respective era’s
In both texts, it is evident that both Kat and Katherine are abusive and are the shrews of their respective texts. Kat is often using her voice

to act shrewish, verbally abusing others in order to get her way. We can see this early in the movie when she is first introduced, she is arguing and making strong remarks to Joey in the classroom. This is very similar to the original character Katherine who is also very abusive and is known for having a scolding tongue. Katherine is seen in (Act 2, Scene 1) being physically abusive to her little sister, Bianca, when she punches her. The difference between the two forms of abusiveness is significant, as it changes the way Kat and Katherine are portrayed. Although they are both shrews, Kat is depicted as an opinionated woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, whereas Katherine’s voice seems to not be respected, so she must physically assault someone for her to be noticed. This major difference between the two shrews foregrounds their respective director's ideologies, as Katherine’s voice is not heard unless she takes drastic actions because she is a woman in a patriarchal society where she has little power. While Kat’s voice is heard and respected, as she is a woman from the modern era where women have just as much power as men.
Just like Kat and Katherine, we can see that Petruchio and Patrick are very similar, although they reflect their director’s ideologies and the cultural assumptions of their time. When first introduced to Petruchio and Patrick they are both seen as vain and uncaring individuals, that both received money to ‘tame the shrew’, but when analysed deeper, it is evident they are too very different characters. Petruchio is depicted as a confident man and the ‘master’ of his obedient wife Katherine that reinforces the patriarchal society during the Elizabethan era, in contrast, Patrick and Kat are seen as equals and represents how women’s rights have increased over time. Another main difference between the two tamers is that Petruchio has no feelings for Katherine and is adamant for Katherine to be a submissive wife, whereas Patrick has true feelings for Kat. This is an accurate depiction of the times that the two texts were created with the modern adaptation showing women as equals and not as objects.
In both texts, we see money and status being valued by various characters.

In Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio’s materialistic attitude is unveiled when he expresses the importance of riches after his friend Hortensio tells of Katherina’s wealth. “If wealthy, then happily in Padua” (Act 1, Scene2). The importance of wealth is later apparent when Baptista chooses Lucentio when it is proven that he is wealthier than Gremio. Equally, Patrick also conveys the power of money in a modern day context, when he first accepts to take Kat on a date after Joey provides “generous compensation”. Status in Taming of the Shrew’s context seems to just coincide with wealth, yet in ‘10 Things I Hate About You’, status and popularity is viewed differently by the characters. In the introduction, the use of music differentiates Kat from the other stereotypical ‘blonde’ teenagers listening to a typical boppy teen song. The hard rock song associated with Kat lyrics states “I don’t give a damn bout’ my reputation!” to emphasise and mirrors Kat’s disregard and hatred of conformity to achieve

status.
Due to the treatment of the women’s roles in Taming of the Shrew, it is now considered a controversial play.

In the play male characters, hold most of the power Baptista over his daughter, Petruchio over Katherina, representing the values of patriarchal society. The treatment of the female characters is now something we would see as degrading and sometimes abusive, especially when it comes to Petruchio’s method of ‘taming’. “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, I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he” (3.2.219-224) Not only is this aggressive, it would be degrading to Kate. This also depicts the concept that the traditional male role will ‘rescue’ the female. In contrast, 10 Things I Hate About You has inverted many of the power roles in the different relationships. A major reversal is evident in the Lucentio– Bianca relationship. Within Taming of the Shrew Bianca exerts no power but in 10 Things Bianca ends up being the one whom ‘saves’ Cameron from Joey. Another major difference is the fact that Kat still holds the power in her relationship with Patrick. The changes that the feminist movement created from the mid-20th century has been reflected largely in this

film.
In summary, it is evident that Junger has successfully adapted ’10 Things I Hate About You’ from the original Shakespearean play ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ to meet the social assumptions of today’s society. Junger positions the audience to accept the values, beliefs, attitudes, and cultural assumptions reiterated to suit a contemporary audience.