During this time, we see jealousy arise from Katherina towards Bianca when their father shows favouritism towards Bianca. I think this shows that although Katherina is aggressive and shrew like, she still has feelings deep down and wants to be treated as Bianca is.
From the first time Petruchio even hears of Katherina, we see that he is eager to meet her, and instantly attracted to her outgoing ways. He knows of her reputation, but he still shows interest to wed her. The first time that they meet, Petruchio tries to ‘woo’ Katherina. They argue wittily, but this time is different from others. Katherina is used to being the clever, sharp tongued one when it comes to arguments, but Petruchio show to be equally as quick witted ash she is. Katherina gets highly frustrated by this and eventually attempts to hit him. Instead of backing down to her, Petruchio tells her he will return the hit if she attempts to do it again. As the argument continues, Petruchio tells Katherina of his intentions to marry and tame her.
In this event, Shakespeare presents the characters in a very humorous way, with the witty arguments and fighting. I think this shows how much of a joke the idea of Petruchio wanting to marry Katherina seems. However, he is determined to tame her, and takes on the challenge.
In act 3 scene 2, it is the wedding of Petruchio and Katherina. Everyone is ready and waiting, but Petruchio is late. Katherina isn’t used to being treated like this and is obviously very embarrassed by being stood up. This however, is all part of Petruchio’s plan to tame her. When he finally does arrive, he isn’t civil to her, and embarrasses her more at the alter. He acts like Katherina usually acts, to give her a taste of her own medicine. Again all part of his plan to tame her, by showing her what she usually acts like and how unacceptable it is.
During this time she is slowly becoming tamed, the humour is also slowly becoming more subtle and less frequent. This can relate to her personality, which is slowly becoming more calmed and acceptable.
Act 4, the ‘taming’ act. During this act is where we really see Petruchio taming Katherina. It is after the wedding at Petruchio’s country house. There was a fine feast ready for Petruchio and Katherina. He invites her to eat, but then finds faults with the food and throws it all away. She pleads to Grumio to get her food, but he just teases her and treats her like a petulant child.
By doing all this Petruchio is showing her what she could have, but then taking it away from her so she has to accept not having everything she wants and being spoilt. Petruchio is trying to stop Katherina being the dominating one and making her more humble instead.
Later, Petruchio and Hortensio arrive with food for Katherina. Petruchio tells Katherina of fine clothes he has for her. He shows Katherina these fine clothes and garments, but when she shows a liking for them, he quickly gets rid of them and refuses to let her have them. This again is the same taming method used with the food. Petruchio is letting her know that she cannot have everything she wants, and this does prove to make her act more civil and obedient. At the end of act 4 scene 5, Katherina catches on to Petruchio and figures out that if she does what Petruchio wants, she will get what she wants. This shows Petruchio’s plan has worked.
In act 5, there is a commotion outside Lucentio’s lodge when the merchant and Vincentio both claim to be Lucentio’s father. For once, Katherina and Petruchio aren’t the ones causing the chaos and humour in the novel. This really proves the progress of their relationship and taming of Katherina. They are for a first time, acting together as a couple.
Act 5, scene 2 really sums up the taming of Katherina when Petruchio asks her to kiss her, and, although reluctant, she does as he asks even in the middle of the street. Another time in this scene is when Katherina is challenged by witty remarks by a widow and instead of the expected aggressive behaviour she once would have had, she is calm instead. The widow being there is also to show the contrast of how Katherina used to be and how she is now, and to show what a difference there is.
Katherina is proved to be tamed when the men joke about who’s wife is the most obedient. They have a contest to see which one will come down when they are sent for by their husbands. Katherina is the first one down. In a speech she then tells the other two wives of how they should obey their husband’s requests and how although she has been strong and powerful, there was no need for she is now beautiful on the inside and she realises she doesn’t have to be aggressive and nasty to be noticed and respected. She speaks of how women should fulfil their roles that they are assigned. Katherina has been tamed.
Throughout the novel we saw a huge contrast of what Katherina used to be like and what she has become, thanks to Petruchio’s clever planning and methods. Shakespeare shows Katherina being tamed throughout the humour change in the novel. At the start it was full of humour and sarcasm whereas at the end, it is far more subtle and calm.
These ways really help us to understand the taming of Katherina, and ‘The taming of the shrew’.
