Laden with innuendos, ironies, and intricate wordplay, Shakespeare’s plays are rarely what they initially appear to be. Rather, it takes several readings to be able to barely scratch the surface of all the possible interpretations. Moreover, not everything is black or white, but possible variations of gray. This topsy-turvy approach is encapsulated in the overall outline of Shakespearean comedy, which are typically set during a period of festivities, such as the festivals A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night are appropriately named after. An average festival is usually comprised of chaos through the reversal of the traditional order and rejection of social norm. During a festival, it is common for people to disguise themselves, especially by becoming either the opposite gender or …show more content…
By including gender as a component of deciding status, it is implies that gender is not simply male or female, but a concern of authority and power. Thus, it suggests that someone who defies traditional gender simultaneously rejects the chain of being. Going back to the play, a shrew, a stock female character determined by her lack of self-governance and unruly behavior, is branded as one because of her defiance towards social norms and expectations. While it is never specified which character is the eponymous shrew, there are a number of possibilities; the candidates are Kate, Bianca and Christopher Sly. These three qualify because they have strong personalities that are not only unpleasant, but also unacceptable for someone of their gender and social status to showcase. As a result, these characters are also refusing to participate in the hierarchical