What does the modern audience learn about marriages and the roles of men and women in Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew? -taming of the shrew

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What does the modern audience learn about marriages and the roles of men and women in Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’?

The roles of men and women were very different in society during Shakespeare’s time. ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ reflects these attitudes and I shall explore how marriage and the roles of men and women are presented in this play.

In Padua, marriage was a decision that involved members of both families and the amount of wealth a family had played a strong role in determining who married whom. Romantic love and physical attraction were considered to be relatively unimportant. Wealth played a large role in marriage decisions among the upper classes, once families agreed to a marriage, several financial transactions were considered. Dowries (a gift of money and property) were paid to suitors, and characters like Petruchio used marriage as a way to make money.

Even at the very start of the play we know Petruchio is hoping to get married as a way to make money, in I.ii.72, he states, “I come to wive it wealthily in Padua”, he means he wants to make a rich marriage. Petruchio is very interested in marrying Katherine once he’s heard about her reputation and wants a suitable dowry. This is reflected in I.ii.178-179 when Hortensio says “Will undertake to woo curst Katherine, Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.” He is saying that if her dowry is sufficient to Petruchio’s liking than he will hopefully marry Katherine. Another example of how important money was is displayed in II.i.119 where Petruchio discusses his dowry with Baptista. He wants to make sure that the marriage is very profitable and asks Baptista, ‘What dowry shall I have with her to wife?’ At the time of marriage, this dowry may have been unusually high because of Katherine’s temper.

InPadua, marriage was a decision that involved members of both families and the amount of wealth a family had played a strong role in determining who married whom. Romantic love and physical attraction were considered to be relatively unimportant. Wealth played a large role in marriage decisions among the upper classes, once families agreed to a marriage, several financial transactions were considered. Dowries (a gift of money and property) were paid to suitors, and characters like Petruchio used marriage as a way to make money.

Even at the very start of the play we know Petruchio is hoping to get married as a way to make money, in I.ii.72, he states, “I come to wive it wealthily in Padua”, he means he wants to make a rich marriage. Petruchio is very interested in marrying Katherine once he’s heard about her reputation and wants a suitable dowry. This is reflected in I.ii.178-179 when Hortensio says “Will undertake to woo curst Katherine, Yea, and to marry her, if her dowry please.” He is saying that if her dowry is sufficient to Petruchio’s liking than he will hopefully marry Katherine. Another example of how important money was is displayed in II.i.119 where Petruchio discusses his dowry with Baptista. He wants to make sure that the marriage is very profitable and asks Baptista, ‘What dowry shall I have with her to wife?’ At the time of marriage, this dowry may have been unusually high because of Katherine’s temper.

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In Shakespeare’s time, and in the play, they followed certain conventions. The eldest daughter had to marry before the youngest. As patriarch (head of the family), Baptista knows the elder daughter is to marry first, however, he also has the option of disregarding the convention. He does not consider this option as it would most probably bring public disgrace and humiliation. However, the prospects for Kate do not look good, she has no suitors, while her sister Bianca has many. Baptista enforces that Katherine must get married first in I.i.49-51 where he tells Bianca suitors, “I am firmly resolved ...

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