Rightful Discipline: Justification of the Taming of The Shrew

“What goes around, comes around,” is a famous saying that states that everything a person does will eventually come back to them. This is true when observing the relations between people. When one person acts kindly to another, the other party usually acts in a similar fashion; like talking to a mirror. This also works the other way around when mistreating someone, they're inclined to the same. An example of this quote is shown in William Shakespeare's The Taming of The Shrew. Katherine Minola terrorizes the people of Padua which in turn, is terrorized by Petruchio for her actions. Kate deserves firm discipline because she needs it in more ways than one. Kate is not a regular person and normal ways of communicating with her will not work; she is much like a stubborn child. For her sake and the rest of Padua, Petuchio's actions is for the better because the way her abusive means of communication were unacceptable. Lastly, unbeknownst to most people, the taming she received brought her a blessing in the end which justifies Petruchio's actions.

The way Kate was acts resembles that of a stubborn child. She is a shrew; a selfish, ill-tempered woman who is inconsiderate to those around her. When Kate and Petruchio first meet, Petruchio sends her way an exorbitant amount of compliments which she promptly replies with, “Moved!, In good time: let him that moved as you hither. Remove you hence. I knew at the first you were a movable.” (Act II, Scene 1, Line 215-218) Kate immediately insults Petruchio and dismisses the fact that Petruchio is probably the first man to compliment her in such a way. This shows that she is not even willing to have a civil conversation with someone she's just met. If a person gives out a compliment in the real...

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...in cuts and bruises. During this scene, Kate is able to maintain her cool and disregard the widow's words. Petruchio's firm disciplinary actions unto Kate were not only deserved but justified because she finds some benefit out of it.

So as you can see, Kate did deserve the disciplinary action of Petruchio. Without it, she would not have changed and remain to her old and unacceptable ways. She would not have had learned how to properly deal with people and lastly, she would not have received the appreciation that she definitely needed. Change is very hard but it is the only way to explore life. Without broadening your scope, your mind is closed off on the other ways of living. You may never learn of what is best for you if you do not change. “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” - George Bernard Shaw