Women In The Taming Of The Shrew

Feminism is defined as “the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men”. The play, The Taming of the Shrew, by Shakespeare narrates the suppressing of a Kathryn’s behavior by her fiance, Petruchio. While many argue that it is a feminist work, the play exhibits many non-feminist characteristics throughout it, ultimately proving that those who fail to do their gender right are regularly punished.

When Kathryn is first introduced, she is portrayed as a shrew ill-mannered woman who longs to get married before her sister. Petruchio, her suitor, immediately recognizes how petulant Katherine is due to her quick-witted and rude responses to his questions during their first meeting. At one point, she

After Katherine proves she is the most loyal to her husband after a competition, her father says, “Another dowry to another daughter, For she is changed, as she had never been. (5.2.124-128). Even her own father is in disbelief that his daughter has undergone such a large transformation to her character because he has only ever known her for her shrewish behavior. Petruchio’s constant ridicule and punishment of Katherine has finally paid off for Petruchio by providing him with the ideal wife who follows her role and money too. Katherine has transformed so much that she even has convinced herself of the ideals that Petruchio has forced upon her through his punishments. She announces that, “And place your hands below your husband's foot, In token of which duty, if he please, My hand is ready, may it do him ease” (5.2.193-195). Katherine believes that it is a woman’s duty to serve her husband and his every need, which conflicts her original attitude from the beginning of the play. Katherine’s monologue about a woman’s role proves that Petruchio has successfully “tamed” Katherine to the point where she has fully embraced her constructed role as a woman in