
One popular opinion is that Petruchio is, for the most part, a selfish misogynist determined to tame Katharine for his own convenience and pride. He simply wanted to tame her to be able to say he tamed the most shrewish woman. In this interpretation, Petruchio marries Katharine solely for her dowry.
Would Petruchio make an attempt of taming Katherine?
· Why did Petruchio tame Katherine? He simply wanted to tame her to be able to say he tamed the most shrewish woman. In this interpretation, Petruchio marries Katharine solely for her dowry. The counterargument is that Petruchio develops love for Katharine and tames her because he sees her shrewishness as a condition that she cannot cure on her own.
Why does Petruchio court Katherine's father?
· How Does Petruchio Tame Katherine? In William Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew,” the protagonist Petruchio “tames” his newly married wife Kate by matching her wit, by embarrassing her at their wedding, by keeping her from eating and drinking and by forcing her to agree with everything he says. Although Kate is widely viewed by her own family …
Why does Petruchio care for Kate so much?
· Domestication has been used in order to bring about taming in the play. In order to tame Katherine’s hostility, Petruchio finds a suitable way to cure this problem. This means that Katherine is considered a wild animal that needs to be domesticated. People encourage Petruchio by giving him the confidence, which he needs, in order to tame Katherine.
How much will Petruchio be paid to marry Katherine?
· Both Kate and Petruchio talk in the same manner, but, because Petruchio is a man, it is easier for him to tame Kate because of the patriarchal society of the Shakespearean era. The theme and implied subtext is Petruchio’s modern methods of taming Kate through psychological, mental and emotional values. Get Help With Your Essay

How does Petruchio actually begin to tame Katherine?
Petruchio uses a number of different techniques to “tame” Kate: he proves to her that he can match her verbal acuity and quick wit, then he wields his extreme confidence, and his status as a man, when he boldly tells her father that she has already agreed to marry him when, in fact, she has not.
What is Petruchio's plan to tame Kate?
2.1. 11: When he meets Kate, the two engage in a verbal battle of wits. Petruchio contradicts everything Kate says, turns her words into dirty jokes, and then announces that he plans to marry Kate with or without her consent. He will also tame her.
What was the purpose of The Taming of the Shrew?
Instead, The Taming of the Shrew emphasizes the economic aspects of marriage—specifically, how economic considerations determine who marries whom. The play tends to explore romantic relationships from a social perspective, addressing the institutions of courtship and marriage rather than the inner passions of lovers.
Is Katherine tamed by the end of The Taming of the Shrew?
In fact, in the last line of the play, Lucentio implies that Kate, in the end, allowed herself to be tamed: “'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so” (V. ii. 193 ). Perhaps Lucentio implies that Kate and Petruchio planned the wager, and that they worked as a team to dupe the others out of their money.
How does Petruchio manipulate Katherine?
By charming her with kind words, Petruchio is able to manipulate Katherine into marriage and woo her, but in an unaccustomed way, as Kate is not used to men being so nice and direct with her. Petruchio is able to achieve this end by manipulating Katherine's words.
Does Petruchio hit Kate?
When Petruchio and Kate are finally left alone, Petruchio insists Kate is the most demure, lovely woman on earth, but she is not drawn in by his rhetoric. They banter and exchange quips until Kate, having had enough, hits Petruchio. He does not strike her back but threatens he will do so, if need be.
In what when does Petruchio starve Kate?
Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3. The third scene of Act VI opens on Kate and Grumio at Petruchio's house. A very hungry and sleep-deprived Kate attempts to convince Grumio to bring her some nourishment.
What does Petruchio want in a wife?
It seems as if Petruchio surprises even himself when he realizes that although he outwardly wishes to marry for money, when it comes to it, he is motivated by something else: the desire to love and be loved.
What does Petruchio do with Kate after their wedding is over?
After the Wedding Even after the marriage is completed, Petruchio does not let up his lunacy. After the ceremony, everyone attends the wedding feast at Baptista's house. Before the feast has even begun, he declares that he must leave right away, and wants to take Kate with him.
Is Katherine truly tamed?
In William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, Kate is not truly tamed because she simply follows Petruchio's orders without changing her spirit. Petruchio gets his hands full when he marries Kate. She is a very wild and rough woman who needs to be tamed.
Does Katherine Love Petruchio?
The counterargument is that Petruchio develops love for Katharine and tames her because he sees her shrewishness as a condition that she cannot cure on her own. Another interpretation is that Petruchio likes Katharine for her strong, challenging personality and takes on taming her as a fun challenge.
What is the relationship between Kate and Petruchio?
Petruchio is “equally exuberant and willful” as Katherine is, leading to an intriguing relationship between the two lovers (LaBlanc). Petruchio must be a strong character in order to maintain a wife like Katherine, and his manner allows him to do so.
How did Petruchio tame Kate?
In William Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew," the protagonist Petruchio "tames" his newly married wife Kate by matching her wit, by embarrassing her at their wedding, by keeping her from eating and drinking and by forcing her to agree with everything he says.
Why does Petruchio say "This is a way to kill a wife with kindness"?
Petruchio then announces, "This is a way to kill a wife with kindness," and insists that she cannot eat his food because it is not good enough for her, keeps her from sleeping because his bed is not worthy of her and takes back her gifts of jewelry and clothing because they are not worthy of her.
Why did Petruchio succeed in taming his wife Katherine?
Conclusion. It is evident that Petruchio succeeded in taming his wife Katherine, and he did it because he loved her. In turn, he had achieved one of his life’s tasks, as well as that, which other people had failed to do. He had succeeded in changing the outward action expressed by Katherine.
What does Petruchio tell Katherine?
This continues till the wedding reception whereby, Petruchio tells Katherine that they have to leave. It seems that Katherine has no obligation, but to give in to the demands of Petruchio. It is evident that in order for Petruchio to tame Katherine, he must do it without changing her inner spirit.
Why does Petruchio use domestication?
Domestication has been used in order to bring about taming in the play. In order to tame Katherine’s hostility, Petruchio finds a suitable way to cure this problem.
What town did Katherine live in?
It is in a town known as Padua that Bianca and Katherine lived, and Petruchio set out to visit the town. If Petruchio could be paid the right amount of money, then he would indeed make an attempt of taming Katherine. Everyone in the town had become tired of the manner, which Katherine handled matters, and thus wanted to tame her. Katherine used to cause chaos among people and some referred to her as being ‘terrible’. There is no single person who did not have extreme hate for Katherine. She seemed to be the reason why the people at Padua did not live peaceful lives. Most times, she would pick fights with her sister Bianca with no reason. It had even reached a point whereby, she would often hit her sister just because she had beauty as well as many suitors.
How much money does Petruchio get for marrying Katherine?
After consultations, they agree that if Petruchio agrees to marry Katherine, he will be paid twenty thousand crowns. This shows how everyone was fed up with Katherine to the point whereby, her father would pay a man to marry his daughter. Even before, the marriage began, the two did not get along well, and this is expected. This does not deter Petruchio who knows that, in the end, he will be Katherine’s conqueror. A date is set for their wedding and this where some of the taming is experienced. Petruchio seeks to make it known to Katherine that he has the capability of also being annoying. He appears at the wedding dressed ridiculously, also extremely drunk. This continues till the wedding reception whereby, Petruchio tells Katherine that they have to leave. It seems that Katherine has no obligation, but to give in to the demands of Petruchio.
Why is Katherine a shrew?
She does not believe that there is good in anything and is often in an extremely foul mood. The main reason why she acts in such a manner is because she envies her beautiful and younger sister known as Bianca. She is envious of her younger sister who had many suitors, while she did not have any. Many men wanted to marry Bianca and often ignored Katherine, and most likely it is due to her negative attitude. It is a fact among people that if any man would want to marry Katherine, then it would be the same for Bianca. This is the reason why Katherine is a shrew that needs to be tamed.
How did people encourage Petruchio?
People encourage Petruchio by giving him the confidence, which he needs, in order to tame Katherine. It seems that, in the society, women were meant to be tamed by their husbands, and Petruchio had to complete this task. At first, people thought that Petruchio would not succeed, but he proves that he has the capability.
How does Petruchio teach Kate to be dominated?
This goes to show that to tame Kate, Petruchio uses techniques that are unconventional to the time, to teach Kate to be dominated and domesticated. In using cunning techniques such as manipulation, through the different senses, Petruchio has the characters in the play fooled of the abuse he has tormented Kate with.
Why is Petruchio easier to tame?
Both Kate and Petruchio talk in the same manner, but, because Petruchio is a man, it is easier for him to tame Kate because of the patriarchal society of the Shakespearean era. The theme and implied subtext is Petruchio’s modern methods of taming Kate through psychological, mental and emotional values.
How does Petruchio manipulate Kate?
Petruchio uses his adoration for Kate as a ploy to tame her. Through Petruchio’s eyes, Kate is beautiful and “pleasant”, and compares her to “springtime flowers” (2.1. 238-239). Kate is a goddess (2.1.253), yet very gentle, and tells her all the rumors he has heard about her are lies (2.1.235-238). This is direct psychological manipulation because he twists his words and uses the physical characteristics of Kate as ideals in purchasing an object; and object Petruchio will buy and use as he pleases. The abusive things Petruchio does to Kate are all in the name of love (4.3.12). Essentially Petruchio says once I coerce her with my words, I am going make her obedient. From adoration, to comparing Kate to a horse (2.1.245), an animal that needs to be tamed, Petruchio directly dehumanizes Kate, emphasizing her need to be tamed just like an animal. As stated before, Petruchio does not see Kate on the same level as him, not only because she is a woman in Shakespearean time who must be married off, but because she is old, and unwanted, and, for those reasons Petruchio wants her, to show the world that he can possess anything and anyone.
What is the cover of Taming of the Shrew?
In looking at the title page for the Norton Critical Edition of Taming of the Shrew, the cover is a vibrant red with black outlined, expressive eyes staring at the viewer. The title page is a portrayal of a gaze shot, with no second image showing a point of view shot, or the eye-line shot. Being Kate’s eyes, this allows the interpretation of this version of the play to have emphasis on Kate. There is an absence of all other characters in the play, including Petruchio, though; I argue that the red background can be the presence of Petruchio in Kate’s life. I believe this because the stark red colour reads as urgency and danger to Kate. This can be used as a parallel to Petruchio, as he created danger in the abuse he gives to Kate. The expression reads as anger and confusion, much like the perplex feelings Kate has in remaining true to her identity, while being oppressed and manipulated by her husband Petruchio. Being starved, sleep deprived and utterly defeated; there is hostility in Kate’s eyes. The expressions understood can be correlated to Kate’s life as a daughter that was overshadowed by her obedient sister Bianca in her father’s eyes, to the way people perceived her to be- a curst devil, and the abuse she received when she married Petruchio. It is only after, that the view looks down the page to read the white title Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, where it is on a grey and black background. These colours are more muted and subtle to the eye, allowing the viewer to understand that from the picture, Kate it the shrew that must be tamed.
What words does Petruchio use to describe Kate?
From the first encounter between Kate and Petruchio, he uses words like “bonny”, “prettiest” and “super-dainty” (2.1.183-186) to describe her, while intermingling vulgar words subtly into the context. Petruchio stressed Kate as his wife, and where is my Kate… my lovely bride (3.2.85). It is the words of endearment that Kate is drawn to; Petruchio uses this to his advantage. Petruchio also states that it does not matter what is on the outside, but the inside is what matters (4. 3. 169-174), reinforcing his teaching and taming methods towards Kate. I agree with Gary Schneider’s previous argument of shame, as Petruchio, sees these feelings Kate experiences and uses words of endearment to lure into his manipulative trap to tame her.
How does Petruchio prove his manliness?
Emily Detmer states “Petruchio proves his manliness by embracing what other man fear (taming a shrew) but also by working alone” (281). Petruchio is warned multiple times by many characters that Kate is a force to be reckoned with, known as Kate the Curst, as well as referenced to the devil. (2.1.45).
What is the significance of Scene 2 Act 1 of Taming of the Shrew?
The importance of Scene two Act one is that this is the very first encounter Kate and Petruchio have together, and the audience gets to see almost immediately how Petruchio begins his quest in taming a shrew. This scene sets the mood for the rest of the encounters both these ...
What is Petruchio's treatment of Kate?
Rather, Petruchio's treatment of Kate is based on how she behaves. She has to earn her privileges. We see another good example of Petruchio's willingness to go against convention in an ends-justifying-the-means fashion when he arrives late for the wedding.
What is Petruchio motivated by?
It seems as if Petruchio surprises even himself when he realizes that although he outwardly wishes to marry for money, when it comes to it, he is motivated by something else: the desire to love and be loved. Petruchio, rather than being domineering and selfish, is an observant man who quickly senses in Katherine something more than her outward shrewishness. He sees beyond the superficial (unlike Lucentio who falls in love with Bianca based on what he has observed) and aptly recognizes that her behavior is a masquerade, a tough exterior intended to cover her inner desire to be loved and valued. On top of that, Petruchio becomes so attracted to her spirit and her non-conventional nature that when he accomplishes his initial desire to "wive it wealthily," he takes his involvement a step further, making a great effort to help Kate develop, sensing that the true Kate, when she can be brought out, will compliment him well.
What makes Petruchio so likeable?
Part of what makes Petruchio so likeable is his apparent disregard for social decorum, particularly when he works to get Kate to abandon her shrewish exterior. For instance, he doesn't buy into the notion of "birthright," as we see by his refusal to treat Katherine as a woman of her status traditionally expects to be treated. Rather, Petruchio's treatment of Kate is based on how she behaves. She has to earn her privileges. We see another good example of Petruchio's willingness to go against convention in an ends-justifying-the-means fashion when he arrives late for the wedding. To be sure, though, it is this exact willingness to go against convention that keeps Petruchio from being a paragon for the Elizabethan man (remember, class and social stratifications were encouraged by those in power during Shakespeare's time). Many of the ordinary people who initially viewed the plays (they made up the bulk of the audience) would likely have seen Petruchio as a hero, but to those in power, aspects of Petruchio's behavior would have been cause for concern.
What is the best example of Petruchio's nature?
The play's final scene provides the best example when, in the midst of the banquet, Petruchio eagerly puts his reputation in Kate's hands.
Is Petruchio like his wife?
Although in many ways Petruchio is like his wife, admittedly he doesn't undergo the same sort of maturation and development as she does (a fter all, his tyranny is clearly a fiction, a parody created to help Kate see the senselessness of her behavior). It would be unfair, though, to claim he remains static.
Is Petruchio a good match for Kate?
In fact, when all is said and done, Petruchio is a successful match for the strong-willed and ebullient Kate. The first difficult issue we must deal with if we are to look at Petruchio fairly is his early claim that he has "come to wive it wealthily in Padua; / If wealthily then happily in Padua" (I.2, 74-75).
Who is the groom in The Taming of the Shrew?
Character Analysis Petruchio. Although Kate is one of Shakespeare's most enigmatic heroines, she is not the only complicated character in The Taming of the Shrew. Her groom, Petruchio , has nearly as much mystery surrounding him as does Kate herself.
What is the line in Act 1 Scene 2 of the book of Petruchio?
In Act 1, Scene 2, lines 61-62, he explains this plainly. “I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua.”
What is the main conflict in The Taming of the Shrew?
Its main conflict is between Petruchio and Katherine, a suitor and an unwilling bride, respectively . While some of its observations remain pertinent, it is less than timeless. More updated representations of romance can be found in modern romantic comedies, like 1989’s When Harry Met Sally, which focuses on, yup, Harry and Sally. Their relationship is, for most of the movie, more nebulous than the one presented in The Taming, but by the end of the movie, the characters are married. Where they are separate are the ways in which those characters reach marriage, and those different ways reflect the time periods that both works were written in. The different ways that the main characters of The Taming of the Shrew and When Harry Met Sally approach marriage prove that power is more evenly spread in a modern romantic relationship than in a historic one.
Did Katherine and Petruchio get married?
Katherine denied marriage with Petruchio; Joe denied with Sally. Katherine was too bold to do deny as she did, and so her personality was erased, whereas Sally managed to change her male friend’s personality quite passively. The differences in era, the dichotomy of “then and now,” make their situations quite different.
Did Sally end her relationship with Petruchio?
It certainly wasn’t in her own hands. Sally’s ability to end her relationship is a distinctly modern one. After the wedding, Petruchio took it upon himself to make a more compliant, mild-mannered Katherine, through the time-honored traditions of gaslighting, torture, and just plenty of abuse.
Do strong women last?
Strong women don’t last in this era . The odds are stacked too strongly against them. So, when Katherine, a once-defiant woman, goes on and on about the inferiority of the female gender, it is clear that all traces of her personality have all been replaced with the vision of her imagined by Petruchio. She not only accepts the marriage that she had once been so fully opposed to, she accepts her role, the woman’s role, as a servant.
Did Petruchio marry Sally?
Regardless of her wishes, though, Petruchio married her that Sunday. Like Katherine, Sally wants marriage. When she informed her boyfriend Joe of this interest, he told her that he didn’t share that interest. Recognizing their different motivations for a relationship, Sally pragmatically broke it off with Joe.
How does Petruchio try to tame his wife?
Petruchio then starts to try to "tame" his wife in a variety of ways. He frightens Kate by yelling at the servants, and he prevents her from eating by insisting that the dishes are not good enough for her. He then offers Kate dresses and jewellery, only to return them saying that they too weren't good enough.
Why does Petruchio marry Katharine?
Petruchio acts as the shrew. Petruchio marries Katharine to gain wealth. However, he is not content with her shrewish behaviour and he goes through great measures to assert his dominance over her and tame her. He believes that the only way to get through to Katharine is by giving her a taste of her own medicine.
What is the most complex character in The Taming of the Shrew?
Petruchio is debatably the most complex character in The Taming of the Shrew. His actions can be interpreted in several different lights, with each interpretation entirely changing the tone of the play. One popular opinion is that Petruchio is, for the most part, a selfish misogynist determined to tame Katharine for his own convenience and pride. He simply wanted to tame her to be able to say he tamed the most shrewish woman. In this interpretation, Petruchio marries Katharine solely for her dowry. The counterargument is that Petruchio develops love for Katharine and tames her because he sees her shrewishness as a condition that she cannot cure on her own. Another interpretation is that Petruchio likes Katharine for her strong, challenging personality and takes on taming her as a fun challenge. Regardless, Petruchio seems to believe, like most members of Christian society did at the time, that society is most stable if women are submissive to their husbands. There is also some debate about how seriously Petruchio should be taken, and hence how we should interpret the meaning of the play. His ridiculous actions, including his unconventional attire at his wedding and his treatment of Katharine once they are married, are sometimes viewed as a reflection of his descent into madness. On the other hand, some see Petruchio as the fool of the play and attribute his actions to intended comic relief. Petruchio's character is very powerful in that the light in which we view him can change the play from a story of male chauvinism to an absurdist comedy.
What does Petruchio tell Kate when she is married?
He puts her to the test by telling her that a man is a woman and that the moon is the sun – she agrees with both statements.
Why does Petruchio come to Padua?
In the play, Petruchio comes to the town of Padua in the hopes of marrying a wealthy woman. Hortensio suggests that he marry Kate Minola, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the city, particularly because Hortensio can not court her sister Bianca until Kate is married. Petruchio takes an interest in Kate, ...
What does Petruchio believe?
Regardless, Petruchio seems to believe, like most members of Christian society did at the time, that society is most stable if women are submissive to their husbands. There is also some debate about how seriously Petruchio should be taken, and hence how we should interpret the meaning of the play.
Who taunts Petruchio at the wedding?
At the wedding, Petruchio is taunted by Hortensio and Lucentio for having married a "shrew". Petruchio proposes a contest to see which man has the most obedient wife: The three men are to call for their wives to see which ones respond. Of the three women, only Kate comes, and a triumphant Petruchio is the winner.
