A battle of words between Kate and Petruchio demonstrates the fact that they are both extremely spirited characters, and Petruchio uses the benefits of his witty sense of humour in order to patronise and humiliate Kate. Using sexual innuendo, “women are made to bear, and so are you” Petruchio insinuates the suggestion that it is Kates duty to have his children, as though he is able to determine what she owes him at this early stage of them meeting. Allowing Kate to react to his use of puns instead of attacking her with his words, Petruchio begins to twists her words, enticing her to appear rude and flirtatious. “What with my tongue in your tail?....I am a gentlemen”, Petruchio interacts in a very witty, unharmful way”. However I don’t believe that this method stays with Petruchio for very long as he is no longer able to tolerate Kates rude attitude and resolves to threats which undermines, I believe, his true motif of wanting to control and dominate her. “I swear I’ll cuff you, if you strike again”. Evidently, Petruchio uses this as a warning to Kate and it can be argued that her behaviour was unacceptable however I believe it was perfectly called for after he attempted to imply that she was the one being rude and chose to twist her words in a way that humiliated her. Threatening her with physical violence also suggests that he is now becoming emotionally involved with Kate as by resulting to violence suggests that you no longer have the capability to tolerate, and clearly Petruchio begins to lose his patience with Kate. Furthermore, Petruchio is aware that using physical strength is a way in which he can unmistakably prove to Kate that he is the position of authority as inevitably he knows that his strength enables him ultimate control and power over her.
Explicitly aiming to dominate and assert his influence, Petruchio affirms “For I am he am born to tame you, Kate”, as though he sees Kate as an animal: a lower creature than he, as to tame an animal enables you to have an ultimate sense of authority and knowing who is boss. It can be argued that by taming Kate, he is liberating her however I believe that Petruchio yearns control and power “you shall be my wife” and in order to liberate someone I believe that you must allow the control to lie within them to enable their utmost freewill. Making his intentions explicit during Act II Petruchio pushes Kates freedom to the extreme as he forces her to make a commitment, thus disrespecting her own personal opinion, “And will you, nill you, I will marry you”. He chooses not to allow her the choice of whether she actually wants to marry him but disguises his thirst of authority by using positive comments that will inevitably intrigue Kate as she is not used to this type of flattery, “I see thy beauty”. Often referring to flattery, Petruchio knows that this will hinder Kate from reacting unacceptably as she allows him to speak of her favourably which suggests that she may be attracted to the fact that he is interested in her. “No, not a whit. I find you passing gentle….art pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous”, however making compliments that he couldn’t possibly believe to be true emphasizes his manipulative, deceptive character, which is a significant theme in the play.
Dominating, and a clear figure of potency and aggressiveness, I believe that Petruchio represents men as a whole in society in this period. This is portrayed by the character Gremio who doesn’t take into consideration Biancas emotions but lists off his possessions that she would gain from marrying him, “I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail”, “My hangings all of tyrian tapestry”. Gremio is also extremely disrespectful towards Kate at the beginning of the play as he states, “To cart her rather. She’s too rough for me”. Not reacting to this, Kates father Baptista I believe is another character who evidently doesn’t take into account the feelings of his daughters or acts in order to benefit them fully. “Tis deeds must win the prize….say Signor Gremio, what can you assure her?”. Undoubtedly Baptista is more interested in the position in society his daughters would enter via marriage and the luxuries and patronage that will be associated with his family name, rather than the happiness and success of his daughter’s marriages.
Clearly Petruchio’s dictating behaviour makes Kate fearful of him, which emphasizes the extent of his dominance as this is out of character for Kate. “Trembled and shook”, emotions which would never normally be associated with Kate, “And kiss’d her lips with such a clamorous smack”, demonstrating the cruelty and outrageous behaviour of Petruchio. Admitting to his aggressiveness Petruchio affirms, “If you knew my business/ You would entreat me rather go than stay” which suggests that if Baptista knew the truth of his motives then he wouldn’t allow him anywhere near his daughter due to the danger he will cause. Reflecting double standards of the way in which men and women are treated, Petruchio attends his wedding in unacceptable clothing for the occasion, “Infected with the fashions” and is subversive as Kate is condemned for breaking rules as a ‘shrew’ however Petruchio is viewed to be entertaining and comical. This demonstrates that Petruchio is willing to humiliate her if she fails to conform to his expectations to show her who his boss.
Emphasizing his addiction of control, Petruchio refers to Kate as his possession, “I will be master of what is mine own” and associates her with materialistic objects, “She is my goods….my household stuff” which reflects his disrespect for her as a worthy individual. Changing his tactics, Petruchio chooses to be patronising and denigrating by interacting with Kate as though she is a young child and his duty is to re-educate and control her, “Look carefully upon me”, “When you are gentle you shall have one too”. Inevitably, childhood is not a period of freedom and freewill to decide how you want to live your life and by referring to this method of interaction, Petruchio evidently has no intention of ‘liberating’ Kate but almost wants to re-create her and ensure that she abides by him and obeys his rules. Further hindering her freedom he chooses not to allow her to react or allow her to speak back to him, “I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks/ what, not a word?” to guarantee that he is able dominate the way in which she see’s his position as the authority. I believe that Kate at this stage is also aware that Petruchio is not intending on liberating her as she recognises that fact that she is entitled to the right to freedom of speech and should be able to choose when she speaks. “I will be free/ Even to the uttermost, as I please in words”, this manifests her original spirit and feisty character that doesn’t allow others to over power her and it has been said that this is the last speech that Kate reflects this side of her personality.
Although many of his lines suggest that he aims to re-educate Kate, it is evident that Petruchio’s methods are harsh and in my opinion to nothing but benefit him by ensuring he has full control, power and respect from Kate. Petruchio even goes to the extent of abusing others who serve him, such as the tailor, in order to remind Kate that she will be next if she chooses to disobey him. I believe that this can only suggest one possible motive: that his aim is to accomplish full dominance and I cannot see any evidence that suggests that Petruchio’s dominance actually liberates Kate, as in order to do so, his actions would have to benefit her. One critic stated, “Petruchio creates chaos in the central locations of marriage” and I further emphasize this statement as by taming Kate, Petruchio is forcing her to put on a false, dishonest attitude: an act of a misogynist bully. Suffering physically as deprived from sleep and food, Petruchio intends to silence her by being more shrew than she is however this is an act of someone who evidently benefits from being recognised as the authority. In the very first act of the play Petruchio states that he doesn’t care what type of person he marries as long as they are wealthy, “Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love, As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd….” And this is exactly what he has done by marrying Kate , “I come to wive it wealthily in Padua”. I believe that using an uncompromising desire to dominate, distinctly Petruchio aims to form a relationship in which he succeeds with the upper hand: a relationship that will benefit him with wealth and a wife who obeys and conforms to his demands.
