Money was clearly of great importance in a marriage and the men in the play sought a wife who was potentially wealthy. Bianca had various suitors because she was an ideal wife not only was she of liable wealth but she was obedient, pretty and “…sweet…”
Likewise Petrutchio makes it clear when he is first seen in the play that he seeks a wealthy wife and agrees to marry Katherina when others would not even consider it. Gremio describes her as “… to rough for me…” (Ii) And Hortensio claims he wouldn’t consider it unless she was of a different personality, “…gentler, milder mould.” Hortensio promises Petrutchio a rich wife and Petrutchio declares he will marry any “…one rich enough…” He claims not to care how “curst… foul…shrewd…” she is as “…wealth is burden…” of his wooing dance.
Baptista Minola’s two daughters are key characters in the play when looking at the presentation of love and marriage because they play is centred on them. In contrast to Katherina, Bianca is the sweet and submissive daughter and she is presented to be the idyllic wife throughout most of the play. This is because she has an obedient and fair personality (Ii- 91 she exits at her father’s will). We can presume she is very pretty and is described by Hortensio to be beautiful, “beauty in her face.” (Ii). Both Hortensio and Tranio also describe her as sweet. These perfect qualities stand out in comparison with her sister Katherina who is ill tempered and very opinionated for a woman of her time. She is described negatively as “froward” meaning wilful, headstrong and disobedient. Although some of these virtues would make her out to be a strong self-governing woman from a modern day perspective, when considering her for a wife in the play these would make her less favourable due to the inequalities between men and women.
However at the end of the play we see how the two characters have almost switched roles. Bianca disobeys her husband when he calls for her, and it is apparent that to the audience/reader that she manipulates men to get what she wants whilst still appearing to comply with society’s commands.
On the contrary Katherina obeys Petrutchio when he calls for her and we see how he she has become tamed by his previous harsh treatment of her and has grown to accept her role as a woman and as his wife. Her final speech contains the most subservient words she speaks in the play.
In the play it is clear that love and marriage are not necessarily linked in the way that they are in today’s society where the majority of people marry because they have fallen in love. Views of love and marriage are different with men having the most important roles in choosing wives and this was regarded as normal in the Elizabethan time. Some women particularly Katherina in the play would probably have not even wanted to get married, and had there character been present in a modern context she would make a very successful single woman. However the way society functioned at the time would make it impossible for her to live a decent life without a wealthy husband to support her. The basis for a good marriage was wealth for both parties, men needed the dowry from their wives father’s and women needed to marry because when their fathers died they would have nothing so a husband would offer them the financial support they needed. Because of this marriages were very much seen as a necessity and love was not an issue when considering a possible marriage. This is very noticeable when studying the play.
In general the view of the characters was not to marry for love, and initially none of the couples in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ do although love may come later in Katherina and Petrutchio’s case.
In the play three examples or marriages are shown:
The first example of Hortensio and the widow does not have much significance in the play and is not portrayed in detail. Hortensio marries the widow after his failed claim for Bianca’s hand. This is a marriage based on wealth because the widow would offer him great financial security as her character is assumed to have a deal of wealth. At the end of the play we see how the widow disobeys Hortensio and shows an element of ‘shrewdness’ by insulting Petrutchio, “He that is giddy thinks the world turns round,” I think this would be the least successful marriage as the couple do not appear to have much mutual respect for each other and the soul purpose of the marriage is money.
The next marriage is that of Bianca and Lucentio. Lucentio is a romantic who falls in love at first sight and thinks that love is a basis for marriage. In my opinion I think he was firstly attracted by her looks before he fell in love. Their marriage was one of secret and deceit and was therefore not genuine and cannot be regarded as a perfect marriage. The marriage between Lucentio and Bianca is the only marriage that is based on the principle of love. However the two do not appear to have a mutual understanding and Bianca also disobeys her husband. This marriage will not be successful because Bianca’s character changes at the end of the play and we see her potential to be a shrew, consequently not an ideal basis for a good marriage.
Lastly is perhaps the most imperative couple to consider when looking at love and marriage. Katherina and Petrutchio seem likely to have the most successful marriage out of all the couple in the play. This is because they learn to have a mutual understanding for each other and are equal. Katherina’s personality has changed at the end of the play and she turns into the perfect wife, she quotes that “… husband is thy lord,” (Vii) and identifies the many things a husband does for his wife. Some of which have significance in today’s society, “…cares… commits his body to painful labour… whilst thou is secure and safe.” She then goes on to say that it is only fair for a woman to love her husband and have “fair” looks in return for all he does for her (line 151). This transformation in Katherina’s character and the way in which Petrutchio insists on his love for her consequence in the couple appearing to have fallen in love, “…kiss me Kate,” Although their marriage was initially formed on the basis of wealth and money, the qualities that become evident as the play progresses makes their marriage the most successful. A successful marriage in our society would still consist of the same things: love, respect, equality and mutual understanding.
