The Relationship Between Petruchio and Katherina in the play The Taming of The Shrew

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An analysis of the relationship between Petruchio and Katherina

throughout the play The Taming Of The Shrew

Introduction:

The Taming Of The Shrew is a comic play based around a town in Italy

called Padua. In my view, the play is mainly centred round the

relationship of Petruchio and Katherina. Petruchio, a young, ambitious

and (it could be said) ravenous man has his heart set on locating a

young and beautiful women with a wealthy background to be his wife.

The fact that he will only be interested in the women for her money is

indicated several times before the meeting of Petruchio and Katherina.

P: "I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;

If wealthily, then happily in Padua."

P: "Signor Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we

Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know

One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife-

As wealth is burden of my wooing dance-"

He also says that as long as she has money she could be:

Old

Curst

Shrewd

He thinks that her scolding will have no effect on him and he will

succeed in overcoming Katherinas furious temper.

Katherina is the daughter of Baptista, a wealthy man of Padua. She is

one of two daughters and because of her widely known temper and

spiteful personality she has failed to attract the attention from the

suitors of Padua. They are all instead turned towards the silent

beauty of her younger sister Bianca. This is obviously upsetting for

Katherina but she doesn't change her ways to attract attention of

suitors. It is as if she doesn't want to be married to people with

wealth that are forced upon her and she voices her views without

hesitation.

G: To cart her rather. She's too rough for me.

There, there Hortensio, will you have any wife?

K...

... middle of paper ...

...tionship at such

an early stage. Katherina is understandably furious isn't ready to

deal with Petruchio's strange behaviour and tells him he can leave but

she will not be going with him. This is an attempt by Katherina to

gain some leadership in the relationship because she is only used to

getting her own way and doesn't like how she is being treated.

K: Nay then, do what thou canst, I will not go today,

No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself.

The door is open sir, there lies your way,

You may be jogging whiles your boots are green.

Whom thou lov'st best; see thou dissemble not.

B: Believe me, sister, of all the men alive

I never yet beheld that special face

Which I could fancy more than any other.

K: Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio?

B: If you affect him, sister, here I swear

I'll plead for you myself but you shall have

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