What Is The Only Motive For Marriage In The Taming Of The Shrew

Cultures across the globe are constantly debating on what the motives should be for marriage. Most people believe that love should be the main reason for marriage but others argue that marriage could be for other reasons such as financial stability. Love is a common theme for William Shakespeare, he emphasizes how love can make one do deranged things to hold that affection. But is the only motive for marriage love? William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew is a perfect example of how men in the Elizabethan era did not marry for love but rather for the material gain or power that can be acquired with marriage.

Petruchio, one of the male leads in The Taming of the Shrew, seems to be motivated in having power over his wife, Kate, in their marriage. Petruchio, before marrying Kate remarks, “Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented / That you shall be my wife, your dowry ‘greed on, / And, will you, nill you, I will marry

Baptista, Kate and Bianca’s father, was negotiating Bianca’s marriage but seemingly had little care in what she felt about the marriage, showing that the couple’s love was not the ultimate goal in marriage. Baptista negotiating states, “That like a father you will deal with him / And pass my daughter a sufficient dower, / The match is made, and all is done. / Your son shall have my daughter with consent” (Shakespeare 4.4.45-48). Baptista is not concerned with how Bianca feels about this man but is more concerned with how well off she will be with him. He wants to be sure that when her husband dies, she would be wealthy enough to live comfortably. Baptista's only concern is the financial stability which was common in the Elizabethan era. Love was always on the backburner for couples because they wanted money and to keep the lineage strong which appeared to be more important to them than feelings of love in