Success of Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew

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Success of Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew written by William Shakespeare depicts the common roles of men and women in the early seventeenth century. Shakespeare writes of Petruchio and Kate, a male and female who sharply oppose each other. Petruicho must "tame" his wife Kate without breaking her true inner spirit.

Shakespeare touches on Kate's changing character and allows her to undergo three phases: Kate's character in the beginning, the methods Petruicho uses to tame Kate and the final outcome (how Kate has changed).

The Taming of the Shrew unravels to reveal a wild beastly Katharine lacking respect for her family, herself and others around her. Kate is a very outspoken and vulgar woman without respect to authority. Katharine, although depicted as a beautiful woman quickly becomes the talk of Padua. Kate has found that if she is loud and obnoxious she can have her way. She screams and grunts and pushes those who she does not get along with. The general character of Katharine seems to be that of a small child.

Peturicho's methods of pursuit in some cases border along the lines of torture. Peturicho manipulates and exploits Kate's character in order to change her outward actions. Although Peturicho does not want to change Kate's inward thoughts, he does not want to break her spirit. The greatest example can be quoted below.

Petruchio says, "Thy gown's Why, aye. Come, tailor, let us see'st. / O mercy, God! What masquing stuff is here's / What's this's A sleeve's Tis like a demi-cannon. / What, up and down, carved like an apple tart's / Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash, Like to a censer in a barber's shop." (4.3.86-92)

Petruciho uses the beautiful gown to show Kate that she will no longer have her way. Petruicho also uses several other instances to tame Kate. Petruicho is "fashionably late" to his wedding with Katharine and upon arrival is dresed as a jester. Petruciho "kidnaps" Kate from her wedding reception, and upon arrival to his home only allows Kate to smell the delicious food. Petruicho conduct himself in this manner to show Kate how she looks and behaves.

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