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The definition of a transformation is a dramatic change in form or appearance in someone. Shakespeare displayed many transformations throughout his play of various characters, however, Kate the main character, hard her transformation highlighted the most. She started out as a wild and disobedient character and developed into a mild mannered wife. Kate proves that no matter how rough a person may appear to be or act, they always have the potential to transform for the better.
Just because a person is crazy and wild, that does not mean they can not change for the better. In the beginning of the play, Act 1, Scene Two introduces one of the main characters named Kate. She is known as a shrew, a bad tempered woman. Due to her poor attitude
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and behavior with others, she lacks the qualities of a potential wife. Gremio says, “She’s too rough for me” (1.2.28). He is referring to how she behaves around her younger sister, Bianca, and her father, Baptista earlier in the scene. Gremio, an older man, also refers to Kate as the “devil” (1.2.62). Hortensio, another young man, does not even consider marrying her, “unless you were of gentler, milder mould” (1.2.13). Just like Gremio stated, she is too wild for Hortensio and pretty much anyone else! There is still a possibility for a person to change even if that have a wild and crazy personality. Transformation does not happen overnight, it takes time, thought and experience. Throughout Act Two, there are many examples of Kate starting her transformation. She eventually married Petruchio who only married her for her wealth and social status. However, this is the start of a change for the better in her. He is the first to bring about change in her from a wild, uncontrolled women into an obedient and acquiescent wife. This change is brought on when Petruchio not only treats Kate with respect, but talks to her as if he is truly in love with her. He calls her, “the prettiest Kate” (2.1.81). When she starts to get angry, he does not fight back; instead, he points out her unacceptable behavior and remains calm. Even though she is continually rude to him he says, “I must and will have Kate to be my wife” (2.1.20). Petruchio’s actions are giving Kate an inside look at her behavior and how they affect people. At this point in the play, Petruchio’s actions are stepping stones in the right direction for Kate’s transformation. Change takes time, it is not something can happen over night. It requires many small steps in the right direction. When a person goes through a big problem or situation in their live, they usually come out of it changed, resulting in a transformation.
Act Three Scene Two is one of the first major examples of transformation in Kate. First of all, Kate starts to have feelings when her groom does not show up to the wedding. She is embarrassed he is not there and says, “No shame but mine” (3.2.9) . This proves she is moving toward transformation because she is showing her sensitive side by showing her feelings and emotions. Another example is when Petruchio shows up to his wedding looking like a mess wearing mixed matched clothes. This is when he starts to demonstrate to Kate how she acts. This triggers her first point of transformation. Act Three Scene Two, is where Kate starts to have a softer heart, she starts her transformation from the shrew into a respectful and mild wife, which is triggered by her soon to be husband, Petruchio. Change can go either way, however most transformations change for the …show more content…
better. There are many small steps that lead up to a transformation.
Transformation is relevant in Act Four when Petruchio interacts with Kate while she is hungry. Kate is tired and hungry from a busy day and asks Petruchio to provide her with food. In the beginning of the scene, Petruchio says, “She will not be obedient” (4.1.132). Here he is predicting how she will react when he is giving her the food. He is anticipated that Kate will be wild and obnoxious when they try to have a dinner together. Another example of Petruchio taming the shrew is when he is willing to provide food to Kate. All she has to do is say two simple words: thank you. After many moments of silence, she eventually says thank you to him. By Kate saying those two simply words, her soft and caring side is slowly being shown. Toward the end of the scene, Petruchio says, “This is the way to kill a wife with kindness and tame the shrew” (4.1.14). Even though making Kate say “thank you” seems like such a small step to her transformation, it is necessary in the big picture of her transformation. Petruchio is proving he has a plan and is doing everything he can to help Kate’s transformation. This is another example of Kate’s transformation into an obedient wife from the shrew. Small changes in the right direction all eventually add up to a big
transformation. For a transformation to be effected, the person needs to look back on themselves and reflect. Act Five is when Shakespeare fully show the transformation of Kate. A big part of her transformation is when she finally realize how poorly she treats her spouse. Not only did she go about a behavioral transformation, but she also took the time to reflect on it in a monologue. This proves she really did change for the better. Kate proclaims, “A woman moved is like a fountain troubled” (5.2.151). She admits she was unpleasant and lacking beauty while she was angry. She also acknowledges that she belongs to her husband and should be obedient to him. “My hand is ready, may it do him ease” (5.2.188). Here she is showing the reader that she belongs to her husband and will bring him comfort and respect. Act five is when the reader can fully see the transformation Kate went through throughout the play from a shrew, to an obedient wife. Looking back and reflecting on a transformation is what truly shows a person or character went through a transformation for the better. No matter how rough a person may appear to be on the outside, they always have the potential to transform for the better on the inside. Kate is a tangible example of positive change revealed throughout the play. Transformation can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere, so never give up on the power of change.
Different Interpretations of the Relationship Between Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew
Kate and The Taming of the Shrew describes the progression of the outspoken and headstrong Kate, wife of Petruchio, as she gradually transitions into an almost perfect example of an archetypal loyal wife. This classic female archetype can be expressed through blind and ignorant support of their husband without any personal opinion or any priorities and objectives other than to satisfy the needs and desires of their husbands. While Kate begins possessing traits that oppose the loyal wife archetype due to her strong willed personality, her shift to obedience. However she continues to think with cunning strategy throughout the entire play, regardless of her weakened mental state caused by Petruchio limiting her food and sleep.
Transformations are altering certain thematic concerns of the original text, yet still retaining much of the storyline. The process of transformation requires some conscious decisions which shape and re-shape the meaning, and must be justified in order to execute them. . This is explored in ‘BBC’s Shakespeare Re-told: Much ado about Nothing”, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s original playwright “Much ado about Nothing”
In the play, Taming of the Shrew, this character is known as Petruchio. In act 1 scene 2, Petruchio insists on meeting Kat no matter who tells her of his behavior, for he was only looking at one factor – that she had a rich father. Upon meeting Baptista, Petruchio insists on meeting Katherine. “Lucentio” and Petruchio battle, promising this and that to Katherine until Baptista finally chooses Petruchio. Upon meeting Katherine, she immediately is biting at his heels. With his quick wit he is responding with equal amounts of insults which frustrates Katherine. Every insult Katherine throws at Petruchio he manages to throw back a sexual innuendo. further along into the story with Kate and Petruchio. Petruchio
When studying the transformations it is significant to consider the religious, historical, and social contexts of the specific times that the two writers, Tom Stoppard and William Shakespeare, lived. Both of the men, as being contemporary writers, were evidence of the values of their society. By comparing and contrasting the aspects displayed to the specific reader in the texts, it happens to raise several questions that can change their perspective on what is meant by transformation (Dobson 56).
changing attitudes toward life and the other characters in the play, particularly the women; and his reflection on the
Her personality is strong and she is independent, unlike most women. This makes her unattractive to most suitors and gains her the label of shrew. She demonstrates her personality in the beginning of the play: "I pray you sir, is it your will to make a stale of me amongst these mates?" (1.1 57-58). Shakespeare uses the characterization of Kate to demonstrate the defiance against traditional gender roles and how Kate almost immediately speaks out for herself, unlike her sister Bianca. In addition, Kate describes her future husband as a "mate," unlike how most women would describe their lovers. Moreover, Kate is educated: "I 'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: I wis it is not half way to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be to comb your noodle with a three-legg 'd stool and paint your face and use you like a fool." (1.1 61-65). Shakespeare uses the characterization of Kate to demonstrate how she defies traditional gender roles by being the only person to speak in iambic pentameter. This demonstrates her intelligence unlike many women. In addition, Kate doesn 't enjoy receiving orders from others. When her father leaves with Bianca and tells Kate she may stay, she gets angry. "Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not? What, shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike, I knew not what to take and what to leave, ha? (1.1 103-105). Shakespeare uses the characterization of Kate to
...ironic use of manipulation before and after the wedding, Petruchio is able to tame Kate. Or so he thinks. The only real change is that Kate agrees with him, but she only does this to get her way. Therefore she is manipulating him by pretending that he has been able to tame her. He has not tamed her, because she also utilizes the art of manipulation. Before, Kate’s only defense against patriarchy is to be outspoken; now, she negotiates her own sense of power within patriarchy by using manipulation. Shakespeare’s critic of the patriarchal social structure is therefore just, because not only are women denied the same legal power as men, but their manipulative power is also disregarded and considered a weakness. Therefore women are not to be blamed for utilizing this powerful form of control, because that is what the patriarchal social structure forces them into.
many years. She is hurt and she seeks revenge. This is seen in Act II. Scene I, when Katherine sums up her own state: "I will go sit and weep." Till I can find an occasion of revenge" (35-36). It is an immature response. but the only one she knows, and it serves the dual purpose of cloaking her. hurt. The transformation, which she undergoes near the end of the play, is not one of character, but one of attitude. At the end of the play, we find out that her negative attitude becomes a positive one. & nbsp; The shrew is not a shrew at all beneath the surface. & nbsp; The play begins by introducing Katherine with her father's words of shame towards her when he offers his eldest daughter to the two suitors of Bianca. The audience is then given their first impression of Katherine.
Patrick and Petruchio’s desire to date Kat or Katerina is influenced by money. In Taming of the Shrew Hortensio mentions that Katerina is a shrew, but Petruchio does not care because she is wealthy. Petruchio could have easily found another woman, but with money involved, Petruchio does what he can to “win” her love by attempting to talk with Katerina and eventually takes his time to try and tame Katerina. “When Petruchio first meets Baptista, Petruchio inquires about the dowry, once Baptista replies, Petruchio immediately demands to sign the contract.
In the beginning, a lot of what we learn about Kate comes from what other people say about her. In Act I, she is only seen briefly and she speaks even less, but our picture of Kate is pretty clear. Shakespeare, sets up a teaching lesson, helping us to see the mistakes of our own judgment. When Baptista announces that Kate must marry before Bianca may take suitors, Gremio describes Kate by saying "She's too rough for me" (1.1.55). Later in the scene, Gremio reiterates his dislike for Kate, claiming she is a "fiend of hell" (88) and offering that "though her father may be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell" (124–126). He finishes by saying that to marry Kate is worse than to "take her dowry with this condition: to be whipped at the high cross every morning" (132–134). Hortensio, too, is quick to add to the situation, calling Kate a devil (66) and claiming that she is not likely to get a husband unless she is "of gentler, milder mold" (60). Tranio, Lucentio's servant, is perhaps the only man in this scene not to talk ugly about Kate, claiming she is either "stark mad or wonderful froward" (69).
Shakespeare touches on Kate's changing character and allows her to undergo three phases: Kate's character in the beginning, the methods Petruicho uses to tame Kate and the final outcome (how Kate has changed).
King Lear is a Shakespearian tragedy revolving largely around one central theme, personal transformation. Shakespeare shows in King Lear that the main characters of the play experience a transformative phase, where they are greatly changed through their suffering. Through the course of the play Lear is the most transformed of all the characters. He goes through seven major stages of transformation on his way to becoming an omniscient character: resentment, regret, recognition, acceptance and admittance, guilt, redemption, and optimism. Shakespeare identifies King Lear as a contemptuous human being who is purified through his suffering into some sort of god.
Unlike the title of this piece suggests, Hero did not undergo her transformation in Much Ado About Nothing through magic. Rather, Hero was a victim of the double standards and illogical fears that the men of Shakespeare’s plays commonly held. The following quote sums it up quite well:
The play "Pygmalion" describes the process of the transformation of Eliza, who appears in three images in the story: Eliza begins as a flower girl, then she transforms into a lady with noble accent and in good manners, then an independent woman with self-respect and dignity.