Taming Of The Shrew Social Roles

In the story, Taming Of The Shrew, one of the main themes that Shakespeare had was social roles and how it can affect the way the act. During the introduction, they show this theme by dressing Christopher Sly as a lord. When he had waken up, the servants convinced him that he was a he was a lord making him think that he had the authority and power to command people. By doing that, not only did it affect the way he behaved towards people, but it also affected the way he made choices too. Disguise was one of the main key points in the theme that Shakespeare used in his play. In the story, when the characters disguised themselves as another social role, it changed the way they acted towards one another. For example, Lucentio disguised himself

Or have I dreamed till now? I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak. I smell sweet savors and I feel soft things. Upon my life, I am a lord indeed And not a tinker, nor Christopher Sly. Well, bring our lady hither to our sight, And once again, a pot o' the smallest ale” (Induction.2.53-60). In the beginning of the play the lord decides to play a prank on Christopher by making him think that he is a lord. When is wakes up and is told that he is a lord with a lovely wife, he tries to deny it stating that he peddler. After questioning himself and being convinced that he is a lord, it changes the way he views things. He starts demanding things such as his wife and a mug of beer. Evidently, this shows that once his social role changed, it changed the way he behaved towards other people. At first Christopher was hesitant to believe that he was a lord thinking that they were joking. He started stating things such as who he was trying to deny the fact that he was a lord. After being convinced it changed the way he behaved towards them. He started to desire and demand for things such as wife and alcohol. Another example would be at the end when all the guys makes a bet saying that they have the most obedient wife. Petruchio wins the bet and tells Kate to lecture the other girls about loyalty. “Fie, fie! Unknit that threat'ning unkind brow and dart not scornful glances from those eyes to wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor… Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy

In the story, people had different social roles that affected the way they felt. One example would be the way Katherine is emotionally. Katherine has the social role of an upper class maiden, but yet she is unhappy. Even though upper class citizens are suppose to be rich and happy, Katherine wants nothing to do with her social role. She is hated by the community and no men wants to marry her because of the way she is towards them. “What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see she is your treasure, she must have a husband, I must dance barefoot on her wedding day and, for your love to her, lead apes in hell. Talk not to me. I will go sit and weep till I can find occasion of revenge” (2.1.31-36). The way she acts towards her father is unacceptable. She is unhappy about herself because while Bianca is attracting all of the men, she is being rejected by all the men. She yells at her father claiming that her father does not love her, insults everybody she meets, and ties up Bianca. She was envy of her sister since she was the one attracting men instead of her. On the other hand, when she marries Petruchio, she changed emotionally. She was kinder towards the community and more obedient. Another example would be in the induction. “Am I a lord, and have I such a lady? Or do I dream? Or have I dreamed till now? I do not sleep: I see, I hear, I speak. I smell sweet