The Taming of the Shrew

Summary

“For I am born to tame you, Kate,And bring you from a wild Kate to a KateComfortable as other household Kates.”

Baptista Minola has two daughters: Katherina and Bianca. Bianca is the “ideal wife” – beautiful, kind, submissive, and eager to wed. She has many suitors asking for her hand in marriage. The only thing standing in her way is her father’s promise not to let her marry before Katherina – and Katherina wants to anything but become a bride. Katherina is assertive and domineering, and unwilling to change her personality to attract a husband.

When a man named Petruchio comes to town, Katherina finally feels she has found someone she can live with – he is quick-witted like her, and doesn’t seem to take offense to her brash communication. However, as soon as they are married, Petruchio begins “taming” her by gaslighting her and undermining her at every turn and denying her necessities like food, sleep, and clothing.

This plot runs in sharp contrast to Bianca’s, who is able to woo an array of suitors after her sister is finally wed. Many men are running around and trying their best to deceive and bribe their way into Bianca’s heart, when she only has eyes for one called Lucentio.

Between the comedy of a gaggle of men running around wildly to attempt to wed Bianca and the over-the-top portrayal of Katherina’s “taming,” The Taming of the Shrew is a humorous play that offers a fascinating look at the 16th century’s views on women, marriage, and domesticity.