Different Interpretations of the Relationship Between Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew

Different Interpretations of the Relationship Between Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew

The play, "The Taming of the Shrew" is based around the process of

Petruchio attempting to tame Katerina; therefore there is a great

amount of dialogue devoted to the process. The Taming of the Shrew is

performed in many different places to many different audiences, and is

directed by many different directors. These all create a number of

styles in which the play is performed. Certain moments in the play can

seem very different to different types of audiences and the characters

themselves can be portrayed as a completely different kind of person

from one play to the next.

Petruchio had decided before even meeting Katherina that he would

marry her. The first reason for this seemed to be that Kate's father,

Baptista, was wealthy and wealth meant a lot to Petruchio. We know

this because of one line in which Petruchio reveals his intentions to

marry into a wealthy family.

"…come to wive it wealthily in Padua."

This could be taken in either of two ways. The first is the most

obvious, that Petruchio is not interested in love or a happy

relationship and is only in Padua because he believes he can marry a

woman with a large dowry and expensive possessions which was often the

expectation of a man at the time. It could however be taken as simply

a realistic view on his part. Petruchio may still be looking for a

loving relationship, but to keep high standards of living he must look

for a wife whose dowry will be able to support them well. He also

looks to marry 'suitably' and is obviously concerned with having a

comfortable life ...

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... Petruchio and scared into obedience. This interpretation could also be

backed up by Petruchio's desire to win the wager in this scene.

The history of the play shows that it has been portrayed in many

different styles, each showing a different side to the characters,

their personality and the underlying meaning of the play. Whether Kate

or Petruchio is the dominant one in their relationship or is the most

shrew-like, both Petruchio and Kate seem to feel love for each other

during the play. Depending on how it is interpreted, directed and

portrayed their relationship could be loving throughout or only in

parts. If Kate is tamed or if she is only pretending she is still

obedient to Petruchio and if he is dominant or only believes he is

dominant, he still loves Kate, but wishes for her to be tamed for both

their sakes.