Taming of the Shrew: Success for Petrucio
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After reading Shakespeares, Taming of the Shrew, it is clear that Petrucio succeeds in changing Kates beliefs and behavior; Shakespeare suggests, therefore, that women should be forced to fit the expectations set for them.
All of Padua thought of Kate as a harsh shrew and though Petrucio knew it not as through personal experiences, that is her shrewdness, but through others who spoke of her. This was because she went against societys expectations and everyone knew her for it. Petrucio was talking with his friend Hortensio of he wanted to marry and Hortensio brought about Kate as a shrewish women whos ” beautiful” younger sister, Bianca, was not to marry until after she.
” Her name is Katherina Minola, Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.” (Shakespeare Act. 1 Scene. 2 Line. 97)
Kate was going against societies expectations and everyone knew her for it.
When Grumio hears of this he adds in and makes another rude remark of her.
“Katherine the curst! A title for a maid of all titles the worst.”
(Shakespeare Act. 1 Scene. 2 Line. 128)
Grumio says this after hearing Hortensio call her Katherine the curst and when hew says, a title for a maid of all the titles the worst, he literally means of all the worst name (titles). Shes obviously made a bad name for herself and is known already for being a shrew.
Hortensio thinks that Petrucio cant force Kate into following societies expectations and that he shouldnt marry her and warns him of her behavioral problems, but Petrucio says he has a plan to tame her.
“Her only fault- and is faults enough- is that she intolerable curst, And shrewd and frorward.” (Shakespeare Act.1 Scene. 2 Line. 87)
Hortensio warned Petrucio of the wrath of the shrew Kate even though he needs him to marry her so he can have the younger sister Bianca.
Even with this warning Petrucio marries Kate and tells his plan to us on their honeymoon in his country home. Once they arrive Petrucio lets her eat and sleep little, is mean to his servants and is rude to her all almost constantly. But all is done for a reason and its all in his plan to ” tame” her to kindness.
” And with the clamor keep her still awake. This is the way to kill a wife with kindness, and thus Ill curb her mad and headstrong humor. He that knows better how to tame a shrew.”
(Act. 4 Scene. 2 Line. 201)
Petrucio said he is going to kill Kate to kindness and force her to be nice by doing what she does and being generally grossly rude and mean. He says that he is the one that is able to tame the shrew.