Examples Of Miscommunication In The Taming Of The Shrew

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In The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare creates a strident language between Petruchio and Grumio that catalyzes the philosophical aims of the play by complementing Petruchio’s relationship with Kate, and also by allowing the interrogation of how individuals within the play are or are not tamed. This construction of language allows investigation into the play’s ideas about miscommunication and its consequences. The interactions between the two characters can also be used to analyze the theme of performance within the play. Further, Petruchio and Grumio’s contentious connection reveals what Shakespeare attempted to communicate about dominance and submission and how the two affect relationships. Shakespeare enlists miscommunication between Petruchio and Grumio throughout the …show more content…

One such example of this occurs in 3.3 after the journey back to Petruchio’s home from Padua results in a horrific episode. A furious Petruchio calls out to Grumio upon entering his home, to which Grumio responds, “Here, sir, as foolish as I was before” (3.3.110). It is clear that Grumio does not believe himself to be a fool—this is obvious is his telling of the journey’s tale to Curtis. However, he performs the role of fool for his master—perhaps out of fear or simply as a means of playing along. Petruchio then hurls insults towards Grumio saying, “You peasant swain. You whoreson malt-horse drudge. / Did I not bid thee meet me in the park, / And bring along these rascal knaves with thee?” (3.3.111–13). One could argue that the overly foul language here is a sort of performance, because even in Petruchio’s anger earlier in the play, he was a bit gentler with his insults. Petruchio realizes that Kate is watching, and his performance establishes a precedent of how those who do not submit to his will can be

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