Similarities Between Much Ado About Nothing And Taming Of The Shrew

William Shakespeare’s comedies Much Ado About Nothing and Taming of the Shrew have a similar theme: they both contrast the stories of a mature couple and an immature couple. In Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice and Benedick, the mature couple, are trying to find the courage to love, while Hero and Claudio, the immature couple, are learning the importance of maturity within a relationship. In the same way, Katherina and Petruchio, the mature couple in Taming of the Shrew, are finding the capacity to love, while the Bianca and Lucentio, the immature couple, are learning that appearance isn’t everything in a relationship. I believe that the two mature female leads, Beatrice and Katherina, have some thought-provoking similarities and differences.

For example, these two strong women have very different support systems. Beatrice has an immense amount of support. From the time that she was young, she had her father, her uncle, her cousin, and so many others there for her. This is the complete opposite of what Katherina grew up with. In Katherina’s family Bianca, her younger sister, was always the favorite. Since Bianca was always the favorite, Katherina felt a lack of love and support in her life. Another difference between Beatrice and Katherina is their type of power. Beatrice is powerful through her words. She is quick-witted and proves how much power words can have. During the first act in response to Benedick announcing that he shall never desire to marry, Beatrice comes up with a witty response within seconds: “A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor” (I.i.96). While Beatrice shows her power through words, Katherina demonstrates her power through actions. She uses physical force to get what she wants. For example, Bianca pleads “I prithee, sister Kate, untie my hands” (II.i.857). In this scene Katherina had tied up Bianca’s hands because Bianca didn’t admit which suitor she preferred. In conclusion, even though Beatrice and Katherina have many similarities, they also have many