Kate Bianca In The Taming Of The Shrew

William Shakespeare expertly produced female characters that strayed away from the one-dimensional tropes of the time. The Taming of the Shrew is no exception as it explores the inappropriate behavior of Katherine. However, Katherine isn't the only female character with distinguishable actions and hidden intentions; her sister Bianca is just as much as an indecent woman as she is. Bianca speaks often of herself throughout the play and changes her speech towards the end to be witty and crude. Additionally, her tone varies from sarcasm to bitterness if a character subjectively wrongs her. When informed that a pair of her suitors decided that she's not worth their time she is dumfounded and holds a bitter attitude asking if it's just a joke, "Tranio,

Passive aggression is the only way for her to voice her opinions without bluntly saying it out loud like her sister Kate. That said, most of Bianca's passive aggression is centered on her sister. "So well I know my duty to my elders."(____), the phrase elders, refers to Kate in an insulting manner to showcase the fact that Bianca is the star of loving attention because she is young and beautiful. Bianca emphasizes to Kate her control over her suitors with, "I'll plead for you myself but you shall have him."(____), revealing that she can fetch and throw away a suitor to her unwanted sister. It shows that Bianca has little care for her suitors and treats them like goods. Rather than having Bianca openly objectify her sister for mistreating her, her speech is contained to formal language with discreet insults. It gives Bianca the appearance of being an innocent victim of Kate, who uses harsh language against

Bianca teases men who admire her, specifically her tutors, when she realizes the she is the center of their undying affection. Her self-centeredness arises when she apologizes for not giving equal amount of her interest in the two men who are fighting to have private lessons with her. "Good master, take it not unkindly, pray, That I have been thus pleasant with you both."(____) The expression, pleasant is a fond word that encases the thought that Bianca is past a strictly teacher and student relationship. She is aware of their banter and does not take a serious stance to stop it but instead encourages it by tactfully prodding at them. When Lucentio, as her tutor, gives Bianca a flirtatious statement to be well taught in "The Art to Love" (___) she responds with, "And may you prove, sir, master of your art!"(____) The words, prove and master avoid a direct response to Lucentio's advances, but hint to him to show her how well he can woo her. Thus, she promotes his obsessing behavior over her to feed her ego of being showered by men's attention. Once more, Bianca shuns away from frankly voicing her intentions and replaces strong verbs or adjectives with docile