How effective are Shakespeare's linguistic choices in conveying the power struggle between Katherine and Petruchio?
How effective are Shakespeare's linguistic choices in conveying the power struggle between Katherine and Petruchio? This essay will study the text 'The Taming of the Shrew' by William Shakespeare. It is a play written in London in 1592 and published in 1623. The play is set during the Jacobean era (1420-1600). The purpose of the play is to entertain an audience. The secondary purpose may be to inform a modern audience about power and roles of men and women in the Jacobean era. During this period of time, a person's power was shown by the language they used, so the more quick-witted and articulate a person was in conversation the more social power they held. Shakespeare uses various linguistic features in conveying the power struggle between Katherine and Petruchio. Throughout the play Petruchio belittles Katherine and damages the face she presents of herself in an effort to 'tame the shrew'. 'Kath. A joint-stool. Pet. Thou hast hit it. Come, sit on me.' The face that Katherine presents is not that of a typical woman. She is very vituperative and unwilling to conform to society's expectations of marriage. And by using this sexual innuendo to counter her insult, Petruchio performs a face threatening act. He reminds her of his intent to marry her and the fact that to him, she is just another woman. The utterance 'Come, sit on me,' is an imperative. By using this Petruchio is
With close reference to Kate(TM)s final speech, discuss Shakespeare(TM)s treatment of women in The Taming of the Shrew
With close reference to Kate's final speech, discuss Shakespeare's treatment of women in "The Taming of the Shrew" In this essay I will thoroughly discuss the treatment of women in the film "The Taming of the Shrew". I would have to say that my first impression of women in this film was that they where treated very harshly compared to men, they where treated like men's possessions; like slaves basically. They would have no money and also they were not allowed to decide who they wanted to marry, it was their father's decision. Compared to men, they where the superior people. They ordered women and treated them like slaves. However, after a close analysis of Kate's final speech my opinions changed dramatically towards the treatment of women in "The Taming of the shrew". I think this because Kate in her final speech changes vividly as she lectures all the women how to treat their husbands. I will go through thorough analysis of Kate's final speech later in this essay. In Elizabethan times, men were considered to be the leaders and women their inferiors. Women were also regarded as "the weaker sex", not just in terms of physical strength, but emotionally too. Furthermore, it was understood that women always needed someone to look after them. For example, if a woman was married then her husband would be excepted to look after her but if she was single, then her father or
Focusing on act 5 scene 2 of
Shakespeare coursework assignment - The Taming of the Shrew Focusing on act 5 scene 2 of "the taming of the shrew", evaluate the contribution Shakespeare makes to the contemporary debate about the place of women in society:- At the time this play was written there was a huge debate ongoing about the place of women in society. I am aiming to evaluate Shakespeare's contribution to this debate. He raises a very controversial issue. In the induction he sets out clearly what the play is about, in the lord's speech we are told exactly how women should behave, this may be Shakespeare's opinion but this view is taken by many men in Shakespeare's day and age. This would make the play popular with some people and extremely unpopular with others, especially women. In act 5 scene 2 we see what Shakespeare is really saying about the role of women in society. In Katherina's speech she talks about the relationship between men and women, different actors and directors can interpret this in different ways, Katherina can either be playfully submissive, believing that what she says as humorously ironic knowing that she will in fact later be the one in charge. Or simply completely submissive knowing that Petruchio will always be the one in charge. Or, not giving in to Petruchio, but becoming a partner with him becoming mutually supportive and happy together. He uses noun patterns to tell us
How might we interpret Katherina's long speech at the close of the play? Use stage and screen productions of the play to inform your judgement.
How might we interpret Katherina's long speech at the close of the play? Use stage and screen productions of the play to inform your judgement. In your essay ensure you address the following: * What does she say about a wife's role in marriage in this speech? * How does this reflect prevailing attitudes to women and marriage in Shakespeare's times? * How might we interpret these lines, especially considering the influence of the devices Shakespeare uses? Kate's changes in Shakespeare's play, 'The Taming of the Shrew' are going to be examined here. I will look at Elizabethan attitudes towards women and see if Kate resolves to conform to these views or to retain her shrewish persona. Additionally I will examine Shakespeare's use of devices in her final speech (to see whether she is tamed) and how she is portrayed in Zeffirelli's film. Women in Shakespeare's time were not held in as high regard as men due to the hierarchical nature of society. At the head of this triangle of power in the Elizabethan society was God himself. This was because in Elizabethan times religion played a very important role in the lives of ordinary people and, interestingly, the Church itself was one of the most powerful and influential bodies (aside from the King) in society at the time. Also God was, and most often still is, portrayed as being male. On the next rung down from God was the King who
To many desultory observers The Taming of the Shrew may be conjectured as being profoundly misogynistic, an intolerable illustration of female subjugation in 16TH Century England.
Michael Billington, theatre critic for the Guardian, asked 'whether there is any reason to revive a play which seems totally offensive to our age and society' (6 May 1978). With particular reference to the final scenes of the play, explore the ways in which a modern audience can respond to Shakespeare's presentation of the relationship between Kate and Petruchio To many desultory observers The Taming of the Shrew may be conjectured as being profoundly misogynistic, an intolerable illustration of female subjugation in 16TH Century England. However in my opinion this is a far too superficial and perfunctory observation. The Taming of the Shrew displays enough ambiguity in its readings to support differing interpretations of its meaning and demonstrates its relevance to modern society. It is clear that one's own evaluation of the plight of Kate is an integral part of whether one finds the play offensive or not. On face value the shrewish Kate is tamed by the cruel, exploitative Petruchio who uses her father's wealth as his only reason to embark on their marriage; a marriage she despairingly tries and fails to resist. He embarrasses and degrades her, culminating in the final scene where Kate openly relinquishes her independence; grovellingly placing her hand under Petruchio's foot and lectures the other women about what should be their 'traditional' servant role within
Petruchios assumption of power is a false one; Katharina is always in control. This is the central comic tenet of The Taming of the Shrew. To what extend do you agree?
________________ Petruchio’s assumption of power is a false one; Katharina is always in control. This is the central comic tenet of “The Taming of the Shrew”. How far do you agree that this is a fair assessment of the play? At the beginning of the play, Katharina’s character (without any influence from Petruchio) is one of a, foul-tempered, sharp-tongued women. This was infrequent for women and Bianca’s suitors tell one another “To cart her rather: she’s too rough for me.” This informs the audience that when it comes to marriage Katharina is the last person on their mind as they prefer someone “gentle” and “mild” and not a woman who is “too rough for me.” As each man is speaking negatively of Katharina, it suggests that she has a sense of supremacy which is aimed at men. However, because no man has ever tried to control or speak to Katharina in a pleasant manner, they are then unsure of how she will react after marriage. Initially, Katharina’s introduction is made through the mouthpiece of the insignificant male characters; it is important that Katharina is referred to rather than seen because this then keeps her actual personality a clandestine to the audience and allows judgement based on what they have heard. This is funny because, Katharina behaves in the manner in which she is described, so the audience’s discernment of her
Bianca is more Shrew than She. To what extent do you agree with the statement that Bianca is the real Shrew of the play The Taming of the Shrew?
Bianca is “more Shrew than She”. To what extent do you agree with the statement that Bianca is the real Shrew of the play “The Taming of the Shrew”? Casual observers of The Taming of the Shrew would most likely interpret the title’s subject- The ‘Shrew’- as an obvious parallel to the play’s protagonist. Katherina, to many, is regarded as the true Shrew of the play- When one observes her temperament and actions and the beginning of the play, this is a reasonable assumption. However, a further analysis of this complex multi-layered play can change the reader’s perspective entirely. When I analyse The Taming of the Shrew, I do not believe that Katherina is the Shrew. Of course, her actions in the first half of the play do fit the definition of the word- “A woman with a violent, scolding or nagging temperament”- Take for example, when she drags her sister Bianca violently across the stage as Act II opens, and her general refusal and stubbornness at other’s requests. However, as it is implied in the title, Kate’s temperament changes greatly by the final scene of the play as she is ‘tamed’. Despite her early actions, I would personally believe that the very fact that she was capable of being tamed proves she is not the Shrew of the play. I would argue that the true Shrew is in fact Bianca- She is, to reiterate a phrase: “More Shrew than She