"The Taming of the Shrew"

1.) “The Taming of the Shrew” is a little difficult to follow because of the various characters in disguises and ongoing subplots. However, it is very funny. I can picture the arguments between Katharina and Petruchio as they are happening, picturing Kate getting redder and redder as Petruchio continues to make her angrier. The competition amongst the other characters for Bianca reminds me of high school when everyone was going after the hot, quite girl, the untouchable girl. The story is a little rough to follow but its humor is making it interesting and makes me want to keep reading to see who does what next.

2.) Petruchio is a sly, money hungry, egotistical character in the story. It is made quite obvious that his only intention in pursuing Katharina is to become the benefactor of the dowry accompanying marriage with her. Petruchio ignores warnings about Katharina’s shrew like behavior and claims that her father’s gold is all he needs to fall in love with her. He then displays his arrogance when claims that wooing Katharina will be nothing compared to his past experiences such as hearing a lion’s roar or the sea puff’d in the winds.

Although Petruchio makes these claims as if he has known Katharina forever, he actually has never even laid eyes on her. Their first encounter is quite amusing with Katharina being her usual unpleasant self and Petruchio refusing to submit to her intimidating attitude. Katharina may be witty and condescending but Petruchio’s equal cleverness and ability to turn everything that Katharina says into some sort of sexual innuendo creates a hilarious scene.

KATH. If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
PET. My remedy is then, to pluck it out.
KATH. Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
PET. Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail.
KATH. In his tongue.
PET. Whose tongue?
KATH. Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell.
PET. What, with my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again,
Good Kate; I am a gentleman. (35)

Petruchio’s ability to balance the constant negativity and arrogant behavior of Katharina through his light hearted carefree attitude is wonderful. The conflict present with Katharina and Petruchio is one of wit; resulting in incredibly entertaining conversations and arguments. Shakespeare has given us two characters who are in many ways similar but whose differences counteract each other perfectly.