Content you gentlemen; I will compound this strife.
‘Tis deeds must win the prize, and be of both
That can assure my daughter greatest dower
Shall have my Bianca’s love. (II, I, 333-336)
This is a clear indication that a woman is “sold off” to whomever can offer the most for her. It should be of no surprise that more times than another the woman is not always satisfied with the decision. As Katherina so aptly puts it: “No shame but mine, I must, forsooth, be forc’d / To give my hand, oppos’d my heart” (III, II, 9). However, the men’s reign over a woman does not end with her marriage. During her life after marriage, one could say that a woman’s mind is controlled more than ever. Not only must she uphold her father’s name, but her husband’s as well. A woman’s husband also takes control of her as she is nothing more than mere slave that he has bought. In the play, Petruchio executes his power over Kate as he starves her (IV, II, 3-35), and refuses to pay heed to her opinions in how she would like to dress (IV, II, 81-103). No matter the circumstances – whether it be choosing a husband or just living life – a woman’s mind is always made up for her.
Women are also treated as a lower class, and if they ever tried to “bridge the gap” between the two classes, they were shunned by society. Due to the widely known classification of the perfect woman, it is no wonder that only these women are accepted into society. Take Katherina for instance. Kate is described as
…wealth enough, and young, and beauteous,
Brought up as best becomes a gentleman.
Her only fault – and that is faults enough –
Is that she is intolerable curst,
And shrewd and forward so beyond all measure
…I would not wed her for a mine of gold! (I, II, 82-88)
Clearly, Katherina is not accepted in society. The title “Katherine the Curst” (I, II, 123) is given to her because of her bad temperament. This is seen as a great betrayal toward the female “society” and may be compared to a servant’s betrayal toward their king. The quote
And when is forward, 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? (V, II, 157,160)
blatantly describes the society’s view of a woman with, as they would think, shrew-like behaviour. Obedience in women, in the eyes of the members of society, is obligatory. A disobedient woman is compared to a traitor toward a king. Yet we cannot completely blame Katherina for her behaviour. Throughout parts of the play, it is apparent that women must “keep quiet” and speak only when directly addressed and will give the response expected of them.
Why sir, I trust that I may have leave to speak,
And speak I will. I am no child, no babe.
Your betters have endur’d me to say my mind,
And if you cannot, best you stop your ears.
My tongue will tell the anger of my heart,
Or else my heart concealing it will break,
And, rather than it shall, I will be free (IV, III, 73-79)
This quote not only gives the readers a glimpse as to why Katherina is entitled “Katherine the Curst”, but also why Katherina is pressured to act the way she does. Not only is she silenced against her will, she feels that without speaking her mind, her heart will break. One of the factors that may also contribute to Katherina’s behaviour is a division made within class. This division is that of males and females. In many instances, we find that males are appointed greater power than women; and husbands are greater than wives. However, the only part of the play in which this is revealed in “black-and-white” is after Katherina is tamed. Katherina plainly tells the dinner party guests “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, / Thy head, they sovereign; one that cares for thee” (V, II, 146-147). To use words as “lord”, “life”, “keeper”, “head”, and “sovereign” informs audiences that not only does a husband have great control over his wife, but his power can be compared to that of a King’s power over his servants. As the play concludes, it is apparent that not only are men thought of as “higher class”, but women have no opportunity to redeem themselves.
Not only is a woman’s opinion not valued, but women are not valued as human beings; however, they are valued as possessions. Petruchio makes this quite clear after his wedding by announcing to his wedding guests:
I will be master of what is mine own.
She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house,
My household-stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything (III, II, 222-225)
Here, Petruchio is claiming Kate as his own, but he is also degrading Katherina from his wife, to a cheap, movable possession he could easily replace. Women are also used as betting pieces, as Petruchio makes the bet
Let’s each one send unto his wife
And whose wife is most obedient
To come at first when he doth send for her
Shall win the wager which we will propose. (V, II, 66-69),
confident that his wife will win him the wager. This is not only demeaning to the women, but also reveals how much the husbands value their wives. This particular bet entitles the winner to boast about his wife’s obedience – almost like a dog’s obedience toward his owner. The winner of this bet would be able to revel in the glory of the great extent of his wife’s trained obedience. Throughout the play, it is beyond evident that women are merely seen, by men, as trophies set in a display case; to be used, and talked of, to boost the winner’s (husband’s) ego.
Based on numerous reoccurring references throughout the play The Taming of the Shrew, it is plain to see how a woman’s opinion is easily disregarded, her status is automatically put a notch under men, and she is valued as one would value a temporary possession. For a woman in the 16th century, life is a struggle. Not only are women unable to speak their minds, they are shunned if they do. Being considered lower-class is something each of them must live with each and everyday – the fact that they will never be considered “good enough” in the eyes of men. However, one must be seen as a human being before being put into an equal class with men. Unfortunately, this is a long way off for women as they are seen as mere possessions. The impact the male society has on the treatment of women is so immense that even someone classified as shrewd can be “tamed” into following the expectations of their society.
