Katherina refers to her husband as her lord, her king, her governor, her keeper and her life. All these titles are authoritive and powerful positions, and although in a complete change of character, Katherina dictates the eminence of men’s roles as husbands and women’s roles as wives in a patriarchal society. She also quotes ‘Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee, And for thy maintained; commits his body, to painful labour both by sea and land…Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe;’ A husband is there to care for a wife and can suffer the extremities of the world for her to stay warm and safe in the house. While the wife should not complain as the husband is actually doing her a favor, in which, the wife is really the one with the debt owed to her husband. ‘And crave no other tribute at thy hands, but love, fair looks, and true obedience- too little payment for so great a debt’ A wife was not to be peevish or sour to her husband or else she would just be an unappreciative woman with no respect for her own husband. Hence, ‘And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour, and not obedient to his honest will, what is she but a foul contending rebel, and a graceless traitor to her loving Lord?’ Katherina also maintains that a woman should not make war with their husbands and instead make peace. ‘I am ashamed that women are so simple, to offer war when they should kneel for peace’ Katherina also claims that a job of a wife was to look after her husband and do as much for him as one can to make his life a bit easier. ‘And place your hands below your husband’s foot. In token of which duty, if he please, my hand is ready may it do him ease’
The wife has a duty to satisfy a husband’ needs wants and desires without ever questioning their authority or their power. They are expected be household women who cook clean and wait on their husbands. The man with the most obedient wife holds considerable honor and nobility as the wives were like trophies to show off to other men. In the Taming of the Shrew, the 3 men, Petruchio, Hortensio and Lucentio, put a wager on who would be the one with the most obedient wife. Surprisingly, Katherina wins the wager for Petruchio and to the dismay of all the men and women proceeds to lecture about the importance of meeting one’s husband’s needs, to fulfill the life long objective of being a wife.
Another theme that is constantly evident in The Taming of the Shrew is the influence of male/father figures on women. The father of Bianca and Katherina, Baptista, is particularly strong willed about marrying her daughters off to men with wealthy dowries. In this particular time period, only men with the wealthiest and generous dowries would win the most beautiful, wealthy and modest women Not only that, but the wife will share with the husband whatever she inherits from her father.
Fathers have a great influence on their daughters. As depicted in the play, the suitors for Bianca must first ask for permission from Baptista before marriage is considered. When marriage arrives then the father is expected to provide a feast for the married couple and the guests. PETRUCHIO: ‘Give me thy hand, Kate, I will unto into Venice, to buy apparel ‘gainst the wedding day. Provide the feast father, and bid the guests.’ It is clearly displayed in this quote what the role of a father during a wedding is.
The fathers are the authority figures that protect the women in his family. By guaranteeing a wealthy dowry, the father is ensuring the daughters a financially safe and happy lifestyle. Not only do the fathers look after their daughters but they also care for the wellbeing of their sons as well. Even the Pendant in Act 4 who plays the false Vincentio, Lucentio’s father, shows he’s paternal side as he too wanted a perfect match for his ‘supposed’ son. When the real Vincentio appears, he shows genuine joy for his son’s marriage.
A wedding is not just a concern for the couple to be wed but is also the fathers concerned. The father is giving away the bride and his responsibilities to her, to the husband or groom. Shakespeare shows broader social implications of the foundation of marriage then just the unity of a man and a woman. He also highlights the control a male figure in society has over a female.
Petruchio also renders a strong authority figure. He is loud, violent and shameless and Katherina is not afraid of him until she learns of his pre-eminency eg: depriving her of sleep and food. Petruchio shows the peak of his power when he beats up his servants at his house. At this point in time he plans to give Katherina ‘a taste of her own medicine’. He refers to her as a ‘falcon’ and his ‘haggard’. ‘To make her come and know her keeper’s call… She eat no meat today, nor tonight she shall not…And with clamour keep her still awake... This is a way to kill a wife with kindness’
The themes of the roles of wives and the influence of father and male figures are strong in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. They express vividly the morale and beliefs of the time that also can relate to our contemporary lifestyle, which is shown in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ inspired movie called ‘Ten Things I Hate About You’.
