Petruchio demonstrates cruelty through his actions, but sensibility through his intentions

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David Roy                Roy

English 102

Mr. Williams

March 30, 2005

All actions are initiated with a specific intention in mind. For the most part, a positive, kind act stems from a good intention. However, what may appear to be hurtful, malicious acts may be motivated by good intentions. This last case is applicable to Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew.” Petruchio demonstrates cruelty through his actions, but sensibility through his intentions. Petruchio develops a clever plan to change Kate first by stifling her personality, then by eliminating her dignity and finally by torturing her, rendering Kate docile.          

From the outset of Petruchio’s appearance in “The Taming of the Shrew,” he demonstrates cruelty through his actions towards Kate. During Petruchio’s first encounter with Kate, he frustrates her with his “goodly speech” (2.1.255) and quick wit, rather than being a gentleman and showing politeness. He shows no effort to woo her or follow proper etiquette of the time but rather is intent on establishing his domineering attitude in the very first moments of his time with her. At first, it seems as if this is a harmless bickering between Petruchio and Kate, however tensions escalate and Petruchio threatens to “cuff [Kate] if [she] strikes again” (2.1.217). This demonstrates a strong potential for physical cruelty, even though he restrains himself, the threat still remains. Petruchio’s cruelty persists, this time in a possessive manner when he declares that “Kate will be my hen” (2.1.223) and on a much more demanding note when he states “Will you, nill you, I will marry you” (2.1.263). However, Petruchio is not simply being cruel to Kate, he has prepared a strategy to tame her. Petruchio reveals his goal “For I am he born to tame you, Kate, And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as other household Kates” (2.1.267-270). This is the first example that allows the reader to decipher Petruchio’s actions towards Kate. Petruchio is not simply teasing Kate, he is challenging her by giving her a taste of her own medicine. By doing this, Petruchio is stifling Kate’s personality, which is the first step towards taming her. Kate’s proven ability to stand up to her father and the other suitors, through words and violence if necessary, does not manifest itself here with Petruchio. In this one confrontation Petruchio has managed to remove Kate’s individuality as someone else is capable of acting in the same manner as Kate.

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As the play moves on, Petruchio executes some of his cruelest behavior by humiliating Kate in public on the day of their wedding. A wedding is one of the most significant events for women, and Petruchio simply does not respect that. He arrives late and “Patience”(3.2.210) is asked of “Katherina, and Baptista”(3.2.210). Not only does he come late, Petruchio arrives “Not so well apparell’d”(3.2.83) and “uprovided,”(3.2.93) completely embarrassing Kate. He continues his insensitive behavior at the church, and rushes home right after the wedding, not even eating dinner with the family. Once again it seems as if Petruchio is being ...

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