Petruchio's The Taming Of The Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew In the 16th century, power was determined by the amount of control a man had over his wife. Petruchio takes on marrying Katherine, who is labeled as a shrew and plans on taming her. Throughout the play Katherine, the blunt, aggressive woman eventually switches roads and became the woman society expects-weak. In the beginning of the play, Katherine is labeled as a shrew of her uncommon aggressive behavior typically not shown by a woman. The men in Padua are intimated by her, so none will take the challenge of marrying her, but Petruchio. Gremio asks Hortensio, “Have you told him all her faults? (pg 64)” This shows Gremio thinks once Petruchio finds out her true demeanor he will back down from the arrangement. Instead, Petruchio could not wait to meet her and start his project. “Many of Kate’s lines carry a dionysiac charge for most women of things thought, but never said,” says Dusinberre, Juliet. This displays Katherine’s character. She is very blunt, bold, and does not hold back any of her feelings. Men are not willing to take on the task of proving their dominance by Kate, but Petruchio is delighted.

That brings out the emotional side in Kate, the way women are looked upon; sensitive and weak. After he does not stay for the bridal dinner he leaves and commands Katherine to come along. Petruchio says, “I will be master of what is mine own, she is my goods.” (pg142). This shows men look at women as property and they had no advice in what their husbands demand. Katherine begins to exhibit typical gender roles when she obeys and leaves with him. “She is suppose to be silent, according to everyone else’s rules,” says Dusinberre, Juliet. So, this quote proves her actions are normal. Petruchio continues to let it be known that he will have the upper hand until her obedience becomes