Analysis of The Taming of the Shrew

Analysis of Taming of the Shrew The Taming of the Shrew, written by William Shakespeare, features an abundant number of puns and metaphors which are used in several different ways throughout the play. Among the most widely used metaphors and puns in the play are sexual, food, animal, and word play puns and metaphors. (I:i,31-33) "Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, or so devote to Aristotle's checks as Ovid be an outcast quite abjurd". The first sexual metaphor in the play is spoken by Tranio to Lucentio. In saying this to Lucentio, Tranio means he does not want to put aside his emotions and desire, and completely devote his life to Aristotle's teachings while ignoring Ovid's poems. The quote is a sexual metaphor because Tranio is saying although he wants to study, he also wants to have sex and not become deprived of life's pleasures. The largest contributor of sexual puns and metaphors in the play is Petruchio. A vast majority of the sexual puns and metaphors, if not spoken by Petruchio, revolve around him. (I:ii,73-75) "She moves me not, or not removes at least affection's edge in me, were she as rough as are the swelling Adriatic seas." Spoken by Petruchio to Hortensio in regards to Katherine's harshness, Petruchio tells Hortensio even if Katherine were as rough as the Adriatic seas, he would still be able to handle her. The quote is a sexual metaphor in saying even if

  • Word count: 2100
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay

Taming of the Shrew - character study of Petruchio.

Taming of the Shrew Taming of the Shrew In the Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio recognizes, respects and desires Kate's intelligence and strength of character. He does not want to conquer or truly tame her. He is a man who is very confident in himself and does not want or need someone to massage his ego. Petruchio seems to me to be a man of sport and challenge and likes to surround himself with witty, challenging people. He wants in a mate what Kate has - fire. From Petruchio's response to his friend Hortensio (I.ii.64-75), it might be said that Petruchio came to Padua to make himself richer by marriage, to any woman, no matter how wretched. Petruchio is not in desperate need of money (I.ii.56-57). He tells Hortensio (I.ii.49-57) that his father has died and that he is out in the world to gain experiences he cannot at home and only secondarily to find a wife. Also, immediately before this declaration, is the scene of misunderstanding between he and his servant Grumio about knocking on the gate (I.ii.5-43). I see this exchange as demonstration of his enjoyment of verbal sport, a good example of Petruchio's sense of humor and his appreciation of things non-conventional. Though Petruchio may not agree with what society has determined to be proper and dignified, he is aware of the importance of appearing to conform. In what he says to Hortensio, I feel he is simply

  • Word count: 841
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
Access this essay