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The Taming Of The Shrew Women Essay

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The roles of women are immanently transcending as society continues to alter their perception of the female race. Since the misogynistic Elizabethan era, women exceed the expectations of encompassing subservient and docile characteristics to becoming respectable individuals capable of embracing their own beliefs rather than a man’s. However, equality for women’s rights only began with the recognition of society’s unequal treatment towards women. The Taming of the Shrew in its own sense stands as small step of recognition towards the early fight for the rights of women. Shakespeare uses this piece of literature to essentially reveal and criticize the manner in which male-dominated societies treat women as animals that are to be tamed. This play consists of numerous displays of sexism, but its’ intended purpose is to depict the injustices women face universally. Although comedic, Shakespeare’s …show more content…

Kate and Bianca’s father, Baptista, is a respectable man in pursuit of suitors for his daughters. However like most men, Baptista prefers Bianca’s compliance over Kate’s defiance. During a fight between the sisters, Baptista sympathizes with Bianca to which Kate responds “Nay, now I see she is your treasure” (2.1.31-32). In this society, Shakespeare continues on to portray how Baptista views his daughters as properties that have to be sold off to their next owners, their husbands. Similarly in Act two of The Taming of the Shrew, it can be compared that Bianca’s suitors are bidding for her as though an item up for auction. This in modern times is degrading, but in Shakespearean time this was commonplace for such a mentality. Shakespeare places a lot of emphasis on this event by taking it to an extreme level it compels one to believe he is objecting to this practice, disguising his objections with elements of comedy

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