The Role Of Sexism In The Taming Of The Shrew

Defying the Patriarchy

The Shakespearian word “Shrew," is defined as an ill-tempered, unpleasant woman characterized by nagging, scolding, and aggression. A women’s role in a patriarchal society is to not be seen as the leader. They are expected to succumb to society's expectations defined by men. In the comedic play, The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, he depicts these views through his character Katherine, who is considered to be a “Shrew”. He illustrates these extreme, unattainable expectations based on her need to be “tamed” by a man named Petruchio. The need to be “tamed,” comes from her “radical” views on marriage and gender roles. In the play The Taming of the Shrew, William Shakespeare explores the impact of sexism within

In a conversation between Hortensio and Katherine, Hortensio instructs Katherine that she must become more compliant in order to find a partner, saying, “Katherine: I pray you sir is it your will to make a stale of me amongst these mates? Hortensio: ‘Mates’ maid? How mean you that? No mates for you unless you were of a gentler milder mold” (Shakespeare 2.1.35). Straightaway, Hortensio makes it clear to Katherine that she will never find a partner because of her strong-willed and independent nature. Hortensio's statement that Katherine will never find a partner unless she is "of a gentler milder mold" emphasizes the societal expectation for women to conform to traditional gender roles by being submissive and obedient. Katherine's refusal to stay silent and conform to societal expectations is seen as a threat to men and makes her appear unmarriable. This notion is extremely harmful, as it discourages women from asserting their voices and opinions within society for the sole purpose of being deemed valuable to men. The patriarchal society's expectation for women to be silent and compliant is a harmful concept that ultimately limits the potential of women. Later, Katherine expresses her frustration with these extreme societal expectations of staying silent when she says, "Fie, fie! Unknit that

Petruchio and Katherine are discussing their marriage, and Petruchio is trying to assert his dominance over Katherine, and states, "I will be master of what is mine own. She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, My household stuff, my field, my barn, My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing" (Shakespeare 4.5.143-146). Petruchio's words convey that Katherine is a possession to be owned and controlled, rather than a person with autonomy and agency. The use of language such as "goods" and "chattels" highlights Petruchio's dehumanization of Katherine, and reinforces the patriarchal societal expectation that men should have control over women. This notion is harmful, as it perpetuates the idea that men can manipulate and abuse women under the guise of taming them. Petruchio's portrayal of Katherine as a possession emphasizes the negative consequences of enforcing strict gender roles, as it encourages men to view women as property rather than as human beings with their own rights and desires. Next, Petruchio is boasting about how he has tamed Katherine and made her obedient. He presents her to the other characters present as evidence of his success in taming her, and says, "Here, sir, she is; as obedient as she was, and as willing" (Shakespeare 5.2.147). Petruchio's statement implies that Katherine is an object that he