Juxtaposition In The Taming Of The Shrew

Has ‘The Shrew’ Been Tamed? Discuss
In William Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of The Shrew, juxtaposition, foreshadowing and comedic devices are used to portray Katherina’s inner vicious characteristics. Despite these, some evidence leads the audience to believe that she’s changed and been ‘tamed’ from the first act to the finale and it is left unclear what the intentions of this ‘Shrew’ are.
The Induction of the play, featuring Christopher Sly, foreshadows the deception revealed at the climax of the play. The Lord says, ‘Would not the beggar then forget himself?’ (I.1.37) as he schemes and then successfully convinces Sly that he is a lord: ‘Am I a lord? and have I such a lady?... Upon my life, I am a lord indeed’ (I.2.66-70). This deception foreshadows Katherina’s final speech in which she convinces the audience and other characters that she has become ‘tame’. Furthermore, the deception expressed is also comedic, as Katherina has not actually become obedient to Petruchio. Therefore, the Lord’s

When Katherina first encounters Petruchio, insults are flung between them: ‘Arses are made to bear, and so are you’ (2.1.198), however, by the end Katherina demonstrates obedience towards Petruchio: ‘And be it sun or mon or what you please’ (4.5.13). This juxtaposition presented, illustrates the change in language and transition of character. Such change could potentially be described as becoming ‘tame’ but the juxtaposition expresses some aspects of comedy, so it leads the audience to believe that she is indeed being deceptive. Also, when compared to her sister Bianca, Katherina is truly contentious but superior over Bianca when tested for obedience by Petruchio. Consequently, Katherina shows some evidence of becoming docile, but this evidence could be for further comedic