What Is Petruchio's Role In The Taming Of The Shrew

William Shakespeare's taming of the shrew emphasized the role of male dominance, and parental control that is put upon young unmarried women in the mid 15th century. During the early renaissance period, societal views shaped the way parents raised their children. Young women often did not have a voice in regards to their future because parental rights outweighed all factors, including love. Baptista Minola was no exception, he sought out wealthy, high status, suitors that would benefit the family name. After a woman was married off, she became property to her husband, and was forced to obey his every command. While Elizabethan audiences may have viewed this piece with amusement and approval, the story of the rebellious Katherina, forced by

Petruchio does not ask Kate what she wants he just tells her that she must abide by what he says, “Women are made to bear, and so are you.” (Act 3 section 1). Petruchio is forcing Kate into becoming a mother, he claims that it is a natural part of life, and she has no say in the matter because she was born to reproduce. Petruchio does not just simply say things, he manipulates her into believing that everything he does is kind and good intentioned. Making it seem as if she did not have a child she would be denying him the privilege of being a father. As their relationship continues Kate shows little progression in Petruchio's eyes. So Petruchio decides that the more Kate resists conforming to an obedient woman, the more he manipulates her by playing mind games. However, Petruchio turns to forms of domestic abuse as a remedy for Kate's behavior, “The more my wrong, the more his spite appears. What, did he marry me to famish me?” ( Act 4 Scene 3). Petruchio is starving Kate in order to make her more impressionable on society, and trying to force her into being a submissive wife like a majority of the wives during this time period. He convinces Kate that he is starving for her well-being. He makes the food seem unfit to consume by such a superb woman, thus twisting her feelings and brainwashing her into abandoning her very thought

This shows how society thought that women are merely objects who did not deserve truth and compassion. Also, making it seem as if Bianca lacks the ability to comprehend that “Cambio” is not Cambio at all, even though she sees him often because he is indeed her tutor. In a way mocking the intelligence of the female mind. This same effect continues when Petruchio, Lucentio, and Hortensio all bid on whose wife is the most obedient. Men treated their women like pets, eager to prove how obedient and how many tricks they were capable of doing for publicity “A hundred then” (act 5 scene 2). The more submissive the wife, the higher the status. Societal views during the mid 1950’s were all about appearance and wealth, happiness and equal treating simply did not exist because women were considered to be inferior to men. Women were not capable of having individual thoughts or feelings, they were only allowed to believe what their husband