Thoughtful Laughter In Taming Of The Shrew

Thoughtful laughter is a tool that is used in writing and is said to be the “true test of comedy.” There is no true definition of thoughtful laughter, but for the most part, it means how it sounds. A scene portrays that initially ensues laughter, but then gives an understanding of a larger concept. In Shakespeare's comedic plays he often ensues thoughtful laughter in his audience. One scene in which it shows comes from Taming of The Shrew, Act II, Scene 1. In this scene, Katherine and Petruchio engage in a verbal battle, showing Katherine’s true shrewdness and Petruchio’s cunningness, as well as setting the audience up for the rest of Petruchio’s antics.
The scene starts off Katherine terrorizing her sister, the men all introducing themselves, and Hortensio being hit by a lute. Katherine is eventually brought out to met Petruchio and they are left alone. Petruchio takes to calling Katherine by “Kate”, wriling her up. Kate begins to insult her suitor without hesitation. They then engage in an argument, which was more along the lines of clever puns and metaphors thrown to and fro. It then ends in Kate hitting Petruchio and his response being they will be married on Sunday, “will you. nill you”.

Obviously, this scene is very comedic.

Kate is in a rage, and Petruchio is so clever-witted that he turns all her insults into sexual innuendos before finally having her forced into marrying him, but what makes this laughter thoughtful? From Kate’s lashes, you are able to truly see just how vulgar and unhappy she is. She is wild, but she is also quite clever in her quick responses. On the opposite end, Petruchio’s character is shown. He is quick-witted as well, yet more crude. He takes joy in dishing out his “attacks” whereas Katherine becomes even more enraged. He’s finally determined to make her his wife, no matter

what.
Act II Scene 1 contributes to the work by showing you just how determined Petruchio is and how unhappy Kate is. It truly shows these character’s minds and thought processes. When Petruchio begins his antics at their wedding and then on, you understand that he has no intention of giving up because of this scene. By the end of the play, when Katherine has changed it is just like this scene. She has given up and ended the battle of being tamed, and Petruchio reigns victorious.
Thoughtful laughter can be implemented in many different ways, but is always shown in Shakespeare's works. In the Taming of the Shrew, Act II Scene I is a prime example. It is truly a very comedic scene, but it also allows you to understand a situation and characters by their words and actions. Petruchio is a cunning and optimistic man, who ends up finding his happiness. Kate is a cruel and angry woman, who loses, but in doing so she also finds her happiness.