O Tranio, till I found it to be true, I never thought it possible or likely. But see, while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness And now in plainness do confess to thee That art to me as secret and as dear As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was, Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl. Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst. Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. (145)
Lucentio has fallen in love with Bianca and Shakespeare uses repetition of “I” to understand the way Lucentio feels about Bianca and again using repetition in the last two lines writing “I know” twice when speaking to Tranio characterizing his as someone who has ultimate faith in his friend but also characterized Tranio as someone who is capable of helping Lucentio with his predicament . Shakespeare also uses allusion in this passage alluding to Dido the Queen of Carthage whom confessed her secret love to her sister Anna and comparing his and Tranio's relationship to theirs. Shakespeare finished Lucentio's passage with the word “wilt” symbolizing that if Lucentio does not have Biana become his wife he will wilt as a flower as it dies.
My idea is similar to your idea. For example, I thought that this quote showed how Tranio views Bianca as an object to win rather than an actually human being. In this quote Tranio has fallen in love with Bianca without even talking to her, which tells us that during this time men chose women only because of their appearance. Due to this, I think that Tranio falls in love very easily because before he had seen Bianca, he was thinking about all the learning he will do, but then he completely forgets about that and is now in love with her.
I agree with your idea, but I also noticed a tone of desperation in Lucentio's speech, seen when he says Tranio's name after each frantic statement. This is seen in "O Tranio" (...) "Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish Tranio" (...) "Council me, Tranio" (...) "Assist me, Tranio" (...). This can then be connected to your analysis to the fact that Lucentio has fallen deeply in love with Bianca.
“What shall I be appointed for hours, as though belike I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha!”(I.i.103-104) In this quote we see Katharina’s fiery and abnormal view of men, especially when it comes to marriage. In the beginning of scene one, Shakespeare presents us with Hortensio and Gremio’s perception of Katharina. They describe her as “too rough” (I.i.55), meanwhile Tranio sees her as being “stark mad” (I.i.69), which indicates that her behavior/personality deviates from the normal. Due to this, it is no surprise that these men prefer Bianca’s milder personality. Through these opinions, Shakespeare is trying to portray the sexist assumptions made by men, especially when it comes to the role of women in marriage. Hortensio and Gremio represent the conventional thought that women need to sacrifice their individuality in order to become the perfect wife. This thought is what leads them to prefer Bianca’s milder and submissive personality because they know that they can manipulate her into doing what they say. However, Katharina’s passionate personality seems to disrept the natural order of society, in which the women needs to put their husband on a pedestal. Shakespeare soon presents the essential question, do women need to sacrifice their own values in order to create a happy marriage? To Katharina, she responds to this question with the quote above. She sees this sacrifice as unacceptable and therefore is defending her own independence. This quote could also be talking about how Katharina often objects the way her father controls her every move. Here, she is using sarcasm in order to exaggerate how Baptista exercises his parental authority over her. Before when he tells her, “and so farewell. Katharina, you may stay; For I have more to commune with Bianca” (I.i.100-101), her father isn’t ordering her to stay but rather he is dismissing her as unimportant. When reading this, we can see that Baptista does not care about Katharina as much as he does Bianca, which causes him to make Katharina feel small and insignificant in the eyes of her only parent.
Your analysis is very well thought out, and I wholeheartedly agree with it. Though I did not quite catch her father's now obvious snub, I always thought of his conditions to Bianca's marriage as a way of disposing of Katharine. The sexism of the men concerning women in marriage was another thing I noticed, and I always cheered on Katharine for her dismissal of the men around her. Though this play is meant to be a comedy, I could never find the breaking of such a marvelous character humorous, nor the sexism she and the other women were subject to.
“Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: why, give
him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby;
or an old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she have as
many diseases as two and fifty horses: why nothing comes amiss,
so money comes withal.” (Act 1, line 353-357)
After Petruchio’s declaration that he comes to “wive it wealthy in Padua” Grumio proceeds to expand upon that declaration, saying that if gold is involved, there is no limit to the lengths Petruchio would go through to procure it. Though it is meant to exaggerate his greed, Petruchio confirms this accusation by agreeing to woo Katharine. Katharine has been described to him as an “intolerable curst/And shrewd and forward” and yet Petruchio sets out to wed her for the sizable dowry she processes. There is no “noble” love for Katharine from her suitor as is directed towards Bianca from her many suitors, but that stems from the fact that the suitors want a soft-spoken and gentle wife, rather than a quick witted one who speaks her mind. If not for Petruchio’s immense greed, he would not have set out to claim Katharine as his bride, leaving Bianca’s many suitors bereft of a chance to court the more “desirable” of the sisters. As the plot of the play consists of trickery and deception in the pursuit of personal gain, surrounding the “taming” of Katharine, Petruchio’s greed and wit equal to that of the “Shrew” is the catalyst for the events of the play. Though hyperbolic in nature, this passage characterizes Petruchio as greedy enough to do anything for gold.
“Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves: And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid Whose sudden sight hath thrall’d my wounded eye.” (Lines 213-215)
This passage shows an ironic juxtaposition between Tranio and Lucentio’s roles. Lucentio is a fairly wealthy man, who has come to Padua to study. Tranio, however, is his servant; a poor man, and a slave to Lucentio. After seeing Bianca, Lucentio changes his plans in order to be her teacher so he can perhaps win her heart. In this new plan, the two have to switch positions. Lucentio becomes a servant to Baptista, Bianca’s father, to be her teacher, and Tranio takes Lucentio’s place as master of the house. This juxtaposition between the two’s roles show how Lucentio is willing to do anything for love, and Tranio would do anything for his master. This juxtaposition helps characterize these two figures in Taming of the Shrew.
I found your analysis interesting and original. In my blog post I also examined how Shakespeare uses language (diction, syntax, and figurative language) in order to show the differences in different character's social status in particular. I agree with your stance on the subject of what Shakespeare's choice in language does for the overall development of the plot and characters. Nice job overall!
In the induction of "Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare, differences in syntax can be seen when differentiating between the hierarchical levels in the society that exists in this play.
Shakespeare writes: " Sly: I'll pheeze you, in faith Host : A pair of stocks, you rogue! Sly: Y' are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came with Richard the conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris; let the world slide: sessal"(Shakespeare 1-5) In this instance Shakespeare writes about the argument that the hostess and Christopher Sly are having. We can see that the sort of language Shakespeare chooses to use when writing about this conversation is relatively direct with not much figurative language used, nor are there many comparisons to other unrelated colloquial things. A second excerpt that I found was also in the induction: "O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man. What think you of, if he were convey'd to bed... ". In this short section from the Lord several comparisons using figurative language are made. Specifically: "how like a swine he lies!" which is a simile comparing Christopher Sly to a pig. The Lord is obviously more affluent and in a higher social class than Sly is, which can help in attributing the differences in each of their casual or typical language styles. Overall, Shakespeare varies language between different characters, almost exclusively in their use of figurative language, in order to help convey the fact that those characters have different social standings.
I really like your analysis and the way you backed it up with quotes. I agree with it, and also believe to further it you could discuss the commands used by the Lord to display his importance and power over his servants. That also demonstrates how he sees himself above others in society. Both help back up your idea that the diction and language used by different characters conveys the difference in social classes.
The Induction, of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, is used to display the idea that social class are not always chosen, and Shakespeare uses diction to differentiate between the classes. Ideas are introduced in the induction that will be touched on later in the plat. A person’s place and role in society is not always necessarily a choice, “Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.” (I.1.38). The lord is going to attempt to make Sly believe that he is the lord and has power when he was previously a common man. Shakespeare introduces the idea of a woman and Sly instantly believes he must be in power if he has women. This introduces the idea of marriage and women. Many commands are contained within the lord’s lines to demonstrate his power and importance over his servants that are below him and help him complete tasks. In Scene 1 of the induction, Sly is using casual language as any average citizen would. He does not refer to anyone below him, and treats the host as an equal. Later in Scene 2, he begins to talk in a way that displays that he believes he has more importance than others. He talks in a demanding way to others, “Madam, undress you and come to bed.” (I.2. 113). The transformation of Sly’s tone correlates with his dramatic increase in power. When believing that he is important in society he becomes much more demanding and does not speak to others as though they are equals.
I enjoyed reading your analysis a lot and also agree most definitely with the way Slys attitude changes once he believes that he is of importance. Also relating to what you are saying its interesting that even in todays time class and stature are still a big part of our society throughout the world. The way that humans approach people depending on class can differ but overall there may also be an air or dominance from one side.
“Think you a little din can daunt my ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Have I not heard the sea puff’d up with winds Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies? Have I not in a pitched battle heard Loud ‘larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets’ clang? And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue, That gives not half so great a blow to hear As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?” (I, ii, 25).
This passage spoken by Petruchio gives the reader a more vivid idea of the way society viewed women in those days, especially men. The character of Petruchio has just been introduced to the fierce and ill-mannered Katherina, a women that deters in manners and is likely to conceive a suitor for her, since many have fled due to her unstable temper. Shakespeare has therefore, introduced to very similar characters, who share the same personality traits and acrimony, as she is more of evil while he is bathed in arrogance. The way in which Shakespeare has decided to employ a sequence of questions emphasizes the determination of Petruchio to “tame” Katherina and be able to master her and control her. This goes back to the historical context of the novel, where men were seen as superior to women and therefore had dominance and more power over them. The use of repetition of questions also makes reference to Petruchio's strong and pompous personality, as he is listing all the brave and unimaginable things he has done, to show his power and authority over this lady. Furthermore, the use of refrain in the phrase “Have I”, also remarks Petruchio's tough personality, as he seems persistent in promulgating his strength and capacity of being the one to control and tame this unbearable lady.
Through his use of allusions and similes, Shakespeare conveys Petruchio as a character who values the importance in money and wealth rather than a woman's true personality. Petruchio is searching for a women to marry, but his most important quality he desires is that she has wealth that he will be able to bring back into his family. This passage also helps display the motif of marriage that continues throughout this play. Petruchio alludes to the story of the knight Florentius when discussing a proper women, “Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love” (66). Florentius was a knight who married an ugly hag in order to receive the answer to a riddle and without he would die. This emphasizes Petruchio’s focus on wealth rather than the woman’s looks or personality. Like Florentius, Petruchio is using marriage as a way to gain something he would be unable to receive without it. Petruchio also deems age and looks irrelevant with an allusion to Sibyl and Socrates, “As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd/ As Socrates Xanthippe” (65-66). Sibyl is known for being old and giving as many years as life as grains of sand in her hand. Which alludes to the idea that Petruchio does not care about the age or looks of his wife, but only of what she can give him. He combines the idea of being wealthy and happy into one feeling, “I come to wive it wealthily in PAdua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua “ (72-72). Here, he describes his main purpose for coming to Padua was to marry into money. And the next line is used to show that Petruchio puts money and happiness together, and believes that wealth will bring him joy.
I really enjoyed your post and agree with your idea that Petruchio does value the money to be gained in a relationship then the girl herself and that in my opinion it is his fatal flaw as a character as that the believes that wealth can bring happiness which is incapable
I am Christopher Sly: call not me “honour” nor “lordship:” I ne’er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: ne’er ask me what raiment I’ll wear; for for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the overleather. (induction page 6) Using vulgarity, and dramatic irony, Shakespeare distinguishes the lower class from the upper class, creating a facetious tone. As the play centers on deception of identity for personal gain, here the first venture into that begins. Christopher Sly has been abducted into the life of luxury at the amusement of one Lord, and any attempts made to explain himself are waved away as insanity. At the beginning of the play, where Sly is seen, the readers are able to witness the full extent of Sly’s language. As the induction progresses however, Sly’s language grows to mimic the rhetoric of the upper class, showing that the vulgarity is exclusive to that of the lower class. His change in language also shows that Sly has begun to accept the lies spoon-fed to him by the Lord, and believes himself to be a lord, creating dramatic irony, that persists throughout the play, as more deception continue in the pursuit of personal gain. The facetious tone created, is due to that of the nature of the deception. Everyone save for Sly is in on the grand joke, and plays along to spin a nearly flawless story. The one flaw however, is also the most amusing part. Sly is led to believe that he has a lady wife, when in fact his wife is merely a page boy acting for the benefit of the Lord. This combination of dramatic irony and vulgarity creates the facetious tone that persists throughout the play.
I really enjoyed your analysis and found it similar to my analysis of the induction. In order to further your analysis I would use quotes to emphasize the language difference between classes. By discussing how Sly originally talked and comparing it to the lord would show the reader the difference. I personally wonder if Sly’s change in tone and language was unconscious or if he believed he had a right to talk that way with his new increased power. By using quotes to compare the diction used by Sly in the beginning and end, you would really emphasize the difference between classes and be able to relate that to how they act in the society. I believe the vast difference in language demonstrates how Shakespeare viewed society, with the common people and the wealth having nothing in common
(This is my induction post did the act 1 post first) “My husband and my lord, my lord and husband, I am your wife in all obedience.” (Ind 104)
The beginning of The Taming of the Shrew introduces Sly a drunk who is being kicked out of a tavern where a Lord discovers him and decides to play a joke on Sly. The Lord takes Sly back to his home and has him dressed in fine clothing and jewels so when he awakens from his sleep he will believe he is lord who had been in one long dream for many years. The Lord says to Sly that he has a wife, really just making his page dress up as a women. The page who says the quote above is pretending to play Sly's wife as insisted by the Lord. This line is a representation of gender roles and where women stand in this time. The page is comparing not only Sly to being a lord in wealth but also I think as Lord being God and that him being the “husband” entitles him to have control over “her”. As the scene continues Sly asks the Page to come to bed though he declines, and this is representative of how women were used for their bodies and not their minds but also that after thinking that he has been in a dream state for fifteen plus years he is entitled to her. Something else I noticed is that this character of the Page disguising himself as Sly's wife is Shakespeare foreshadowing for other characters to do the same.
i agree with your analysis, Sly's constant attempts to seduce or command his "lady wife" show that he suspects nothing of the lucrative situation he is in. Sly does not even look further into the issue when his attempts at sleeping with the page are met with resistance and half-hearted explanations, because it is unimaginable to him that a woman married to him would ever deceive him.
INDUCTION: “SLY: Y’are a baggage, the Slys are no rogues. Look in the chronicles - we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris: let the world slide. Sessa!” (I.i.2). “SLY: No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy. Go to thy own bed and worm thee”. (I.i.2).
These two quotes are seen in the first page of the induction and of the whole play, in which Shakespeare uses vulgarity to introduce the character of Sly. In this part of the play, Christopher Sly is drunk, in a bar and is arguing with the hostess since he refuses to pay for the damage he has done to the cabin. He therefore calls her a whore, “baggage” and even tells her to go play with herself seen in “Go to thy own bed and worm thee”. The fact that Shakespeare has started his play by introducing this mad and impaired character creates the first allusion of comedy and sarcasm, as he is intending to mock and ridicule this man. We can also immediately see by Sly’s vulgar and unsophisticated manners the type of person he is, and to what class he belongs to; a poor, miserable and unfortunate man, and we see that he has no respect and is also not respected by others. Also, this first scene shows how disgraceful and unworthy this act of drunkenness is seen by society in that time, specially in the 1600’s, which allows Shakespeare to recreate the culture and customs lived through those people 400 years ago. Also, the poet manages to create a high contrast between the rich and the poor, and their appearances, Sly representing the poor, mocked and made a fool of, whereas the Lord is seen as much more prestigious, powerful and corrupt. I believe that Shakespeare has used the character of Sly to also clearly reflect the reality of the noble at that time period, arrogant and conceited as some may be today, criticizing this class and showing the incredulousness behind all the gold.
Nice analysis! I did not know about the term "baggage" before reading this (or much other vernacular from the 1600s). I feel that being able to pick up on these types of allusions makes reading the text much more enjoyable and makes much more sense. I did not notice what Sly could have represented as mentioned in your interpretation, before now. Nice insights!
"Gentlemen, Importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolved you know; That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter before I have a husband for the elder: If either of you both love Katharina Because I know you well and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure ... Gentlemen content ye; I am resolved: Go in Bianca: And for I know she taketh most delight in music, instruments and poetry, Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio, or Signior, Gremio, you, know any such, Prefer them hither; for to cunning men I will be verykind, and liberal to mine own children in good bringing-up. And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay; for Ihave more to commute with Bianca. "(1.1.12,114) At this point in the play Lucentio is being by Baptista that the only way for him to be able to marry Bianca is if Katharina becomes married before this happens. In this excerpt Shakespeare effectively uses harsh diction and punctuation in order to show the mood and feelings of a particular character. "Firmly" is not only a harsh word in definition, but it also gives a bit of a sharp sound when spoken aloud. Also, we can see in the second section of the excerpt (after the ellipsis) numerous commas, colons, and semicolons are used. This breaks up the text and takes away from its rhythm and cadence. The lack of rhythm and choppy sound of the text can help to show how Baptist is being strict and final with his judgements about his daughters' marrying situation.
“She is your treasure, she must not have a husband;/ I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day/ And for your love to her lead apes in hell” (II.i.29).
This quote is said by Katharina in response to her father coming to Bianca’s rescue, in which he says, “Bianca stand aside. Por girl! she weeps...For shame thou hilding of devilish spirit” (II.i.29). Here, we see that Bianca is in fact Baptista’s favorite because he calls Katharina a good-for-nothing and compares her to the devil. However, Katharina does not seem angry because of what her father said but rather with the fact that her younger sister could actually be married before her. She also seems frustrated with the realization that she is not getting any younger and will soon be at an age where it is seen as socially unacceptable to get married. I think that Katharina is stuck between hating the suitors because they do not want to marry her due to her making it very obvious that she wishes to be independent, and wanting to marry before her sister does. This shows us that Katharina has become envious of Bianca because of her obedient and passive personality, something that Kate clearly does not have. In this small exchange between Katharina, Bianca, and Baptista, we learn that Kate is scared of becoming an old maid.
“PET: Signor Baptista, my business asketh haste, And every day I cannot come to woo. You knew my father well, and in him me, Left solely heir to all his lands and goods, Which I have better’d rather than decreased: Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s love, What dowry shall I have with her to wife? BAP: After my death the one half of my lands, And in possession, twenty thousand crowns. PET: And, for that dowry, I’ll assure her of Her widowhood, be it that she survive me, In all my land and leases whatsoever: Let specialities be therefore drawn between us, That covenants be kept on either hand.” (II,i,35)
In these three dialogues between Petruchio and Baptista, we can see various themes that reflect the customs and cultures of Shakespeare’s time period. On the first hand, we can see the importance of money and richness in that time period, and how everyone and everything revolved around it. This is reflected in Shakespeare’s play to the fact that Baptista and Petruchio are arranging a marriage that involves money, richness, and property as the main key feature of this compromise, seen in “What dowry shall I have with her to wife?”. Even though today’s standards have drastically changed compared to those for hundred years ago, we can assimilate the pledge of money and prestige between the noblemen in this play, since many people in the 20th century still believe money to be the most important aspect of life, and still marry their partners due to their own personal interest in money or, more commonly fame. However, we can not forget that this custom was practised more than 400 years ago and that, at time, it was viewed as morally acceptable and normal. This also makes reference to the power and influence that these rich men had at that that time period, and how it created a great abyss between the rich, and the poor. We can see how contracts and arrangements were made between those men with hierarchy and authority, and their prestige was based upon how rich they were, and how much influence and control they had on lands. The quote “You knew my father well”, allows the reader to understand how only men with powerful families and ancestors were only capable of making and moving money, since this meant that they had prestige and status amongst the other men. Lastly, the most important theme of all is the role and undermining of women in the 16th century. The simple fact that a father is handling his daughter marriage, deciding who shall or shall not wed her in the standards of wealth and money that each suitor has to offer show how weak and inconspicuous women were seen four hundred years ago. It seems as if marriage were only just a simple contract between two very powerful men that would guarantee prominence and wealth for both families. These arrangements were only done by men and for their own interests, therefore reflecting the power and superiority they had, since they could take decisions for women based on their own interests. This theme is seen in every page of Shakespeare’s play, but can be more fully acknowledges in the title: “Taming of the Shrew”. Shakespeare does the work of undermining woman and even animalating her, as if females with high tempered are supposed to be tamed to reach the standards man.
your critique is very well thought out and i wholeheartedly agree with it. Prominence, Power, and wealth is all Petruchio cares for, and wedding Katherine is but a way to achieve that. This is especially seen when Baptista believes Petruchio over Katherine. Despite knowing his daughter and had having a heated exchange with her in the beginning of the scene, Baptista instantly believes Petruchio when he claims Katherine to be the opposite of her personality. Her marriage in his eyes, is just a convenient way to join two prominent families and rid himself of a troublesome daughter.
your critique is very well thought out and i wholeheartedly agree with it. Prominence, Power, and wealth is all Petruchio cares for, and wedding Katherine is but a way to achieve that. This is especially seen when Baptista believes Petruchio over Katherine. Despite knowing his daughter and had having a heated exchange with her in the beginning of the scene, Baptista instantly believes Petruchio when he claims Katherine to be the opposite of her personality. Her marriage in his eyes, is just a convenient way to join two prominent families and rid himself of a troublesome daughter.
“What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see/ She is your treasure, she must have a husband;/ I must dance barefoot on her wedding day/ And for your love for her lead apes into hell.” (Act 2 page 29)
Using allusion, Shakespeare creates an envious tone, in which Katherine displays her displeasure at being second best in her father’s eyes. Having just been scolded by her father for trying to force Bianca into admitting which suitor she fancies most, Katherine in turn proclaims how Babtista loves Bianca more and cares not for her fate. She says that she will be forced to “dance barefoot on her wedding day” which alludes to a popular belief at the time that doing so would prevent her from becoming a spinster, or unmarried woman. Clearly Katherine does not believe that her father will uphold his condition that she must be married before Bianca, and while she has no wish for a husband, it’s clear Katherine longs for her father’s love and approval. Going even further, Katherine says “your love for her lead apes into hell” which was the supposed fate of unmarried and barren women. To Katherine, the extent of her father’s favoritism will cause her to be miserable, and while definitely overdramatic, the animosity between father and daughter makes it appear warranted. Later in the scene, Babtista believes Petruchio, a stranger, over his daughter, when his personal knowledge of her should immediately tip him off that Petruchio is but a liar, come to wed wealthy in Padua. Baptista’s obvious favoritism between his two daughters causes Katherine to become envious, and lash out in anger.
“Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell Whom thou lovest best: see thou dissemble not. Bian. Believe me, sister, of all the men alive I never yet beheld that special face Which I could fancy more than any other. Kath. Minion, thou liest. Is’t not Hortensio?”
In this passage, the two sisters, Katherina and Bianca are arguing, showing the differences between these two. Katharina wants to know who Bianca favors. Bianca replies saying she doesn't favor any of them. Katharina believes she is lying, showing that Katharina and Bianca share two sides of the spectrum, one very into love, the other not as interested. Upon first being introduced to the two sisters, they are characterized in opposite fashions: Bianca is sweet, beautiful and talented. Katherina is coarse, not very attractive, and undesirable. This quote as well as other instances in the play create a juxtaposition between the two. From these descriptions, and this bickering, Shakespeare describes the sisters as foils of each other.
I agree with your idea, but I would also point out that this quote also shows the sort of jelousy or envy Katherine has upon her sister, since it seems that she somehow is now intrested in the life and opinions of her sister Bianca about who she will choose as a suitor. Katherine, not having any suitor due to her detestable attitdude seems intrested out of envy of Bianca's retinue of men that seem desperate to marry her.
"Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself, To make a bondmaid and a slave of me; That I disdain: but for these other gawds, Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself, Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat; Or what you will command me will I do, So well I know my duty to my elders." (II.I.28)
In this section Shakespeare utilizes negative diction, allusions to life sarcasm in order to show the sarcastic jealousy that Bianca has for her younger sister, Katharina. In saying "To make a bondmaid and a slave of me;" Bianca is being satirical and somewhat sarcastic in that she is sarcastically saying that she, as the less desirable sister, will become the stereotypical house-slave/wife that takes care of all of the chores because she will marry a man who does not have enough money to afford house servants that can do them for him. However this will not be the case as Bianca will be the the one who gets married to a man that will be able to afford house workers as she is the more mild tempered of the sisters. Bianca also goes on to say "Believe me, sister, of all the of all the men alive I never yet beheld that special face Which I could fancy more than any other". In this instance Bianca is making Katharina particularly mad because while Bianca has many men who wish to marry her she does not see any of them as fit, and Katharina does not have any men who wish to marry her, so she is experiencing extreme jealousy.
I agree with your analysis, and mine is very similar to your ide of jealousy due to the comparison of the sisters. In order to further your analysis you could elaborate on and explain the new jealousy forming within Katherine. I really liked the way you analyzed the allusion and related it to Bianca's character.
The second Act in Taming of the Shrew becomes a turning point in the characterization of Katherine. Previously, in Act One, she comes off as an independent woman, but Shakespeare displays a new side of her in Act Two. She demonstrates a side of love and jealousy to those that have it, early in the first scene when conversing with Bianca. She tells Baptista, “She is your treasure, she must have a husband. I will dance barefoot on her wedding day, And for your love to her lead apes in hell” (II.i.32-34). When doing research, the term “lead apes in hell” refers to old women who die unmarried. Katherine, knowing Bianca is deemed the more desirable sister by most suitors, expresses jealousy and desire to be noticed by the suitors. She does not want to be die unmarried and is for the first time truly expressing interest in marriage. Katherine comes to the realization that she is trapped. She hates all the suitors, and originally doesn’t display a want to get married. They don’t want to marry her, because she makes her hatred for them all too obvious. Petruchio may seem like the answer to her marriage related problems. He comes in praising her and actually expressing desire to marry her, which attracts her attention. For Katherine, marriage symbolizes a possible new outlook on life and a change in her harsh personality.
I agree with how you attacked this scene and also Petruchio has the same wit as Katherine which also may make him seem more relatable too her because they both have quick wit and both tempermental. Though with Petruchio he is the one who actually tames her because she respects him enough.
TRANIO (as LUCENTIO) That “only” came well into BAPTISTA) Sir, list to me: I am my father’s heir and only son. If I may have your daughter to my wife, I’ll leave her houses three or four as good, Within rich Pisa walls, as any one Old Signior Gremio has in Padua, Besides two thousand ducats by the year Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.— What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio?
In this scene Tranio disguised as Lucentio and Gremio are both vying for Baptista's approval and his permission to marry his younger daughter Bianca. Lucentio is trying to show off what he has to offer her. Again we see gender roles in this scene as Lucentio is telling Bianca's father about what he has to give, not in emotions or qualities such as love, friendship, protection but in material goods. Saying that “all which shall be her jointure” meaning when he dies she will receive two thousand ducats by year of fruitful land which under the radar essentially meaning she has nothing until she is a widow reverting back to gender in that Bianca is under his thumb even if Lucentio may not have that intention at all. When Lucentio says the last line “What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio?” He is alluding that hopefully Gremio is beginning to feel uneasy about his own chances with Bianca and may give up soon.
“Luc. Hic ibat Simois, hic est Sigeia tellus, Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis. Bian. Conster them. Luc. “Hic ibat”, as I told you before, - “Simois”, I am Lucentio, - “hic est”, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, - “Sigeia tellus”, disguised thus to get your love, - “Hic steterat”, and that “Lucentio” that comes a-wooing, - “Priami”, is my man Tranio, - “regia”, bearing my port, - “celsa senis”, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.”
This passage is very important to the book. Lucentio, while disguised as Bianca’s tutor, tries to tell Bianca that he is really Lucentio, and that he loves her. This is very important to the storyline because Lucentio takes action towards Bianca which will develop later on. This passage also shows Lucentio’s conviction and devotion to Bianca as well as his confidence in gaining Bianca’s heart. However, he states his message hidden between literature, and under the sound of Hortensio's tuning so as not to give his disguise away to everyone. This passage is very important to Lucentio’s character development as well as to the storyline.
"Bianca: Why, Gentlemen, you do me double wrong, To strive for that which resteth in my choice : I am no breeching scholar in the schools; I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please myself. And, to cut offall strife, here sit we down: Take you your instrument, play you the whiles; His lecture will be done ere you have tuned. "(III, I) In this instance Shakespeare uses allusion to the vernacular of 16th century Europeans a in order to show the motives and outlook Bianca has on life and learning. In proclaiming "I am no breeching scholar in the schools; I'll not be tied to hours nor pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please." Bianca is stating that way in which she learns is different from what was considered normal at the time. She states that she does not want to be schooled in the traditional way: "I am no breeching scholar" and wishes to only learn the types of things that can be taught though ones everyday actions and occurrences rather than from the classroom. Also, her saying that "His lecture will be done ere you have tuned" is showing Lucentio and Hornesto what what she values in life by almost mocking the type of schooling the two had received. Also, she is stating that while less formal, her educational background was more fast paced and nothing like what the two men had ever seen before as they would not be able to keep up. While this is not exactly explicit in the text it can be implied from this line.
I had not considered this scene in the way you interpreted it, but I find your analysis highly insightful. Here we can see that Bianca is just as headstrong as Katharine, but hides it better, never showing it to those in which would scorn her for her daring. She has seen where that got Katharine, and knows that taking on a soft spoken and delicate persona will get her farther than being brash and outspoken. Her quip at Lucentio and Hornesto shows that she also shares Katharines wit.
No shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced To give my hand, opposed against my heart, Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen, Who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure. I told you, I, he was a frantic fool, Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior, And, to be noted for a merry man, He’ll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns, Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed. Now must the world point at poor Katherine And say, “Lo, there is mad Petruchio’s wife, If it would please him come and marry her!”
Katharine here believes that Petruchio means to make a fool of her, and uses hyperbolic language to convey her anger. She did not wish to wed Petruchio in the first place, saying she “be forced To give my hand” and repeatedly calls him “mad.” As she was merely an obstacle to Bianca being married, Katharine believes that Babtista would marry her off to a man that would make a fool of her, and she is not wrong. Petruchio arrives to the wedding late, dressed in clothes that do not match and embarrasses Katharine. It also appears that Katharine is upset at the revelation that she was not initially wrong about Petruchio. Initially, Katharine appreciated battling wits with someone who could keep up with her, but then Petruchio’s advances, and the revelation that her father arranged her marriage behind her back caused her to hate both Petruchio and the situation she was forced into. Now she seems wholly disillusioned, and her comment “He’ll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns,/ Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.” is both hyperbolic and shows her bitterness. Though she knew she had much to lose from the situation she was forced into, Katharine held onto the hope that perhaps she misread Petruchio, and could be happy with someone who would value her for herself, rather than ignore her in favor of her mild mannered sister. This of course is not the case, and Katharine reads it aptly, knowing now that she has nothing to gain from this marriage, and everything to lose.
I agree with your argument, and the fact that Petruchio had actually managed to conquer the heart of the ill-mannered shrew. I also believe that Katherine feels humiliated and embarrassed to the events leaded by Petruchio's unwise commitments, but I also feel that it is a lesson she must face and learn regarding her prior evil attitudes towards people.
“TRA: Let us entreat you stay till after dinner. PERT: It may not be. GRE: Let me entreat you. PET: It cannot be. KAT: Let me entreat you. PER: I’m content. KAT: Are you content to stay? PER: I am content you shall entreat me stay, But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.” (III, ii, 51)
Halfway through the novel, we can see how Shakespeare has developed the character of Petruchio as the key ironic and comic feature of his play, by clashing him with the fierce and bold Katherina. In this part of Act 3, Petruchio has arrived late to his wedding, has humiliated Kate due to his tardy and is wearing unbearable and unacceptable clothing on their memorable day. However, he seems oblivious about it and carries on with the ceremony. After wedding Kate, Petruchio announces that he has to part and that he can not stay for the family’s wedding celebration since he has other important stuff to do. Kate, already embarrassed and mortified by Petruchio’s prior actions seems reluctant to let his husband leave and pleads for his stay, amongst others in the scene. Shakespeare uses refrain to in both Gremio, Tranio, and Katherina’s entreat in “Let me entreat you”, as well as in Petruchio’s response to them. This creates the comedy and satire tone in the scene, showing how uncaring and apathetic Petruchio feels in that situation, not giving much interest on his wife and wedding and more concerned in other issues. However, when Katherine begs him to stay, he responds with “I am content”, juxtaposing his previous answers to Gremio and Tranio, but then clarifying that he is content that she wants him to stay, but cannot. The fact that Petruchio seems indifferent about his wife and their marriage, and how we is just carrying on happily with his life shows the way the poet wants show the undermining of Katherine and the power of Petruchio. In other words, it is Petruchio’s own eminent way of taming the bad-tempered woman of his wife. He is taming her by making her fall in love with him, but later humiliating and embarrassing her, destroying her self confidence and wicked morale. Once again, this fits in the theme of the life of women at that time period, as they were supposed to be, and considered inferior and below men.
“No shame but mine: I must, forsooth, be forced/ To give my hand, opposed against my heart, Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen;/ Who woo’d in haste, and means to wed in leisure” (III.ii.45). In this scene, Petruchio makes it very obvious that he has no real desire to marry Katharina. He embarrasses her with his shabby clothes, rude behavior during the ceremony, and his demand for them to leave early. It almost seems like he is parading the fact that Kate chose to wed and to someone like Petruchio of all people. In this quote, she is second guessing her decision because she went against her beliefs and is now being ridiculed by a man that she thought was different from the other suitors. This scene creates the idea that like Sly, Kate does not have much freedom in her situation. It also reiterates the theme of the play, which is authority in marriage. In the beginning of the play, we saw Kate standing up to her father and the other suitors, through her fiery personality, however, with Petruchio this fire is almost distinguished. Going back to the quote, we know that if she really did not want to marry Petruchio, she would have been able to resist because she has done that in the past, but even when she did try to refuse Petruchio’s demand to leave the wedding, she doesn’t answer with the same fire, instead she says, “I see a woman may be made a fool, if she had not a spirit to resist” (III.ii.52). This is not the Katharina in the beginning of the play who used vulgar language in order to prove her point. Instead this is a Katharina, who chooses not to fight with her husband because she is intimidated by his unwavering stance. Due to this, Kate has become powerless to stop the forceful actions of others towards her, just like Sly, who doesn’t understand the fact that he is now a lord. In this scene we see that Katharina and Petruchio’s marriage will not be based off equality.
“Hic ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am Lucentio, hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love, Hic steterat, and that “Lucentio” that comes a-wooing, Priami is my man Tranio, regia, bearing my port, celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.” (III.i.32-36)
This scene distracts the reader from the main plot involving Katherine’s marriage and turns focus onto the subplot, Bianca’s marriage. This scene displays Shakespeare’s use humor in both Lucentio and Hortensio’s confession of love and desire towards Bianca, and their use of disguises in order to grow closer to her. Humor is demonstrated when Lucentio says “ Hic ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am Lucentio, hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love (III.i. 32-34). Lucentio is confessing his love for Bianca to her as he disguised as Cambio, a latin translation teacher. Once it is Hortensio’s turn, he immediately uses the same method, secretly displaying his love through his music lesson. This provides comic relief, but also demonstrates the idea of women’s rights during this time period. Most marriages are planned, or the women barely has any say, so the men find first impressions important when fighting for Bianca’s love. Also, Bianca’s favoritism towards Lucentio is displayed. However, she does barely know him, which foreshadows future consequences for the couple.
“Pet. … Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! Kath. The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now. Pet. I say it is the moon that shines so bright. Kath. I know it is the sun that shines so bright. Pet. Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself, / It shall be moon, or star, or what I list, / Or ere I journey to your father's house. / Go on, and fetch our horses back again. / Evermore cross’d and cross’d; nothing but cross’d! Hor. Say as he says, or we shall never go. Kath. Forward, I pray, since we have come so far, /And be it moon, or sun, or what you please: / And if you please to call it a rush-candle, / Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me. Pet. I say it is the moon. Kath. I know it is the moon.”
This quote is one crucial to the plot because it shows the start of Katherine being tamed. Katherine is a wild one; free spirited and outspoken, it was a difficult to make a match, but Petruchio claimed he would be the one to tame her. Shakespeare uses repetition to show this change, or taming of Katherine. Petruchio claims “it is the moon that shines so bright.” Katherine replies “it is the sun that shines so bright.” At first Shakespeare’s use of repetition outlined their quarrel, showing Katherine’s adamant nature. But Katherine gets tired of opposing Petruchio’s claims and gives in. We can see this when Shakespeare again uses repetition: Petruchio: “I say it is the moon.” Katherine: “I know it is the moon.” Petruchio tests her again by renouncing his statement and instead stating that it is, in fact, the sun that shines brightly. Katherine responds immediately that if Petruchio says it is the sun, then it is the sun. Shakespeare's use of repetition moves the story along by showing Katherine’s first step in becoming tame.
Another example from the text that would also support your analysis is when Kate and Petruchio are on their way to Padua and Katharina mistakes Vincentio for a women. I think this because when Petruchio corrects her, he calls her "mad" and she agrees. This shows that she may be starting to become tamed because she is agreeing with Petruchio rather than arguing with him.
Pet. Thus I have politicly begun my reign,/ And ‘t is my hope to end successfully./ My falcon now is sharp and passing empty;/ And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,/ For then she never looks upon her lure./ Another way I have to man my haggard,/ To make her come and know her keeper’s call/...That bate and beat and will not be obedient./ She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat;/ Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not;/...This is a way to kill a wife with kindness (IV.i.58-59). The main focus of scene one is to develop the joke in which Petruchio angers Katharina by having an exaggerated concern for her wellbeing and therefore keeps her hungry, tired, and uncomfortable. In this quote, Petruchio uses symbolism in order to explain his plan to “tame” Kate as well as explain the events that will transpire in act IV. In this monologue, he explains that he will tame her as a falconer trains his falcon, by coaxing her with temptations that are out of reach. Petruchio wants to extinguish Kate’s temper by “killing her with kindness”. In order to do so, Petruchio starts by bringing her a meal but allowing her little time to eat it before the tailor arrives. He then tries to find faults with all the expensive clothes that Kate likes, saying, “why, this was moulded on a porringer...’t is lawd and filthy...a knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap” (IV.iii.65). Lastly, he contradicts her again when he tells Kate that they will arrive at Padua at noon , but when Kate tells him that noon has already passed, he angrily declares that when they do go, “it shall be what o’clock I say it is” (IV.iii.69). Although Petruchio’s treatment of Kate is horrific, by trying to smooth out her rough temper with love, he makes himself seem more gentlemanly to the audience and also gives him an opportunity to have a loving relationship with Kate after she accepts her role as a wife. Going back to the quote, Petruchio’s monologue indicates the importance of his plan because he feels that Kate will not reach true happiness unless she changes her role, thus showing that even though his methods are harsh, he is only doing this because he loves her.
I really enjoyed your analysis and think you could use the monologue on lines 165-189 in Act 4 Scene 1. This fully describes his plan and also discusses the symbolism of the falcon. Here, Petruchio describes his plan as reducing to little or even no sleep and food, in order to help teach her obedience to her husband. In this particular symbolism with the falcon, he refers to himself as the master.
PET: Oh, no, good Kate. Neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture and mean array.
If thou account’st it shame, lay it on me,
And therefore frolic! We will hence forthwith
To feast and sport us at thy father’s house.
Go, call my men, and let us straight to him,
And bring our horses unto Long Lane end.
There will we mount, and thither walk on foot,
Let’s see, I think ‘tis now some seven o’ clock,
And well we may come there by dinnertime.
KATH: I dare assure you, sir, ‘tis almost two,
And ‘twill be supper time ere you come there.
PET: It shall be seven ere I go to horse.
Look what I speak, or do, or think to do,
You are still crossing it. Sirs, let’t alone.
I will not go today, and ere I do
It shall be what o’ clock I say it is.
(IV.iii.175-191)
Petruchio is talking to Katherine immediately after he yells at the tailor and kicks him out for apparently unsatisfactory work, however Petruchio does tell him that he will be receiving the payment. Previously, Petruchio had used animal descriptions to question the physical appearance and if it truly affects beauty. He says, “What, is the jay more precious than the lark/ Because his feathers are more beautiful?/ Or is the adder better than the eel/ Because his painted skin contents the eye?” (IV.iii.172-174). Petruchio is saying that physical appearance should not matter, and that was inside the body and mind is more important. At this point, he is telling Katherine that they will be returning in poor garments. This demonstrates the idea that, how Petruchio states it as, “For ‘tis the mind that makes the body rich”. This section of Petruchio’s speech displays irony, because the audience is aware that Katherine was wed primarily for the money, rather than the personality she contains. Petruchio describes beauty with the animals as being on the inside, however he contradicts those statements by marrying Katherine for wealth. Here, Katherine contradicts Petruchio’s statement of time, and telling him that his is incorrect. This angers him and he speaks to her in a commanding tone, giving her an ultimatum. Petruchio tells Katherine, that he will not take her to see her father until she agrees with him as to what time it is, which symbolizes complete agreement with his decisions regarding anything.
I agree with the fact that it is ironic how Petruchio is now stating that physical appearance should not matter and that inside the mind and body is what should matter. I think it is Petruchio's technique on 'taming' Kate and maybe even flirting with her.
Lucentio: I may, and will, if she be so contented. She will be pleased. Then wherefore should I doubt? Hap what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her. It shall go hard if “Cambio” go without her.(iv.iii.100-105)
This scene is where Biondello has just told Lucentio that he should elope with Bianca and everything for that is prepared while Batista is signing trivial contracts with the others. Lucentio since the beginning of the play has been characterised as someone who jumps in headfirst since he met Bianca he fell in love with her and now he's going to elope with her after her father has already agreed with the marriage. The use of the gender specific pronouns of “her” and “she” by Shakespeare used by Lucentio are also characterizing him or making it seem at least like he cares about Bianca opinion in the matter kind of like a foil to Petruchio who is abusing Katherina at this point. This scene is showing us a minor conflict of interest within the characters as the major conflict is with Petruchio trying to tame Katherina.
Baptista : "Sir, Pardon me in what I have to say./ Your plainness and your shortness please me well./ Right true it is your son Lucent here doth love my daughter and she loveth him, Or both dissemble deeply their affections. And therefore, if you say no more than this, 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. "(IV, iv, 38-47)
Baptista, at the beginning of the play is very hesitant about letting anyone marry his youngest daughter, Bianca, because his older and less desirable daughter, Kate, must get married first. Originally, the reader sees that Bianca will likely have to wait a very long time before she gets married because no one seems to like or be interested in marrying Kate, this is however until Lucentio shows that he is willing to put up with Kate's shrew-like tendencies. Here, at the end of scene four, it is not the first moment that Baptista is agreeing to the marriage of his eldest daughter, but it is one of the first instances in the play that Baptista is explicitly outlining his agreement with the marriage. This is a rather long excerpt for what it conveys: that Baptista is fine with and maybe a little bit excited about his daughter getting married. The extra words in this section were not just Shakespeare trying to fulfill the word count that his teacher set, rather he is communicating a character's thoughts in a rather elegant way. Instead of s aying "Right true it is your son Lucentio here..." Shakespeare could have just as easily said "Lucentio", but giving some extra details, like noting that Lucent is the son of the Merchant, helps to keep the reader constantly aware of the context of the text and the situation at had. In act four and throughout the text Shakespeare adds seemingly meaningless detail around basic facts in order to keep the reader more aware and cognitive of the context of the text.
“KATH: Forward, I pray, since we have come so far, And be it moon, or sun, or what you please: And if you please to call it a rush-candle, Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me. PET: I say it is the moon. KAT: I know it is the moon. PET: Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun. KAT: Then, God be bless’d, it is the blessed sun: But sun it is not, when you say it is not; And the moon changes even as your mind. What you will have it named, even that it is; And so it shall be so for Katharine.” (IV, V, 73).
At this moment in the play, we can see how Shakespeare has drastically changed Katherine's character compared to the previous Acts. Kate now seems that she has fallen in to Petruchio's commands and desires, as he wishes to tame her wild behavior, although Shakespeare implements a slight tone of exhaustion and weariness in Katherine’s character, as it seems that she can not get enough of the intolerable behavior and treating of her husband. Shakespeare has changed his diction in Katherine's dialogues, from a more aggressive and hostile language, to a more passive and submissive one. To start with, the poet has used the words “pray”, “vow”, “God”, and “Bless” to reflect the compliant and peaceful personality of Katherine. The words “pray” and “vow” are related to a more religious and faithful context, implying goodness and commitment in them. Therefore, this contrasts Katherine's previous behaviour, since she was seen as a shrew and even a sin. However, thanks to the mastering of Petruchio, Katherine is now a new women, obedient and free from her foul manners. Shakespeare has also chosen to use the word “please” in Katherine's speech, to suggest her surrender on to her husband’s control. At first, we would have never imagined Katherine giving pleasure to someone, especially if it were a man, but now we can see how Petruchio has managed to make Katherine agree and satisfy every claim made by him, how nonsense it may be. Overall, we can see how diction has managed to portray the character of Katherine in a completely different way, which makes the reader acknowledge and embrace Petruchio for having eliminated the foulness in her. This also creates the comic part in the play, creating irony in Petruchio’s character and foolishness in his techniques on taming Katherine.
“KATH: I am ashamed that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace; Or seek for rule, supremacy and sway When they are bound to serve, love and obey.” (V, II, 170).
We can see through this quote how Shakespeare finally determines the character of Katherine by presenting her in act 5 completely mastered and disciplined. He introduces her new self in the extensive speech she is commanded to give out to the Widow and Bianca, in which she stands for respecting and praising their husbands. We can see in this quote how Shakespeare has implemented assonance in the ending words on each line, seen in “simple” (170) and “peace” (171), as well as “sway” (172) and “obey” (173). This creates a smooth flow in Katherine’s speech, which makes her character more harmonious and mellifluous. Shakespeare also uses alliteration in line 171 in the words “seek”, “supremacy” and “sway”. The fact that he uses this literary device remarks the strongness and power of the diction she is using, since it is reflecting the unsuitable and inappropriate behaviour of women towards her husband's, which is then contrasted with the serene and peaceful words seen in the last line of the quote. These two contrasts also reflect Katherine’s abrupt change in attitude as she priorly was commanding, dominant and prominent, whereas now she is gullible, submissive and compliant. Katherine’s speech in Shakespeare’s play reflect the role of women in society’s in the early 17/1800’s. I believe that at time, the fact that a women like Katherine would stand up to men as she did was seen as so barbaric that it was actually ironic. Therefore, the comic part in Taming of the Shrew is, not only the taming of Katherine, or the joke played to Slay, but the fact that a women is actually holding up against a man, is being disrespectful and not following the appropriate behaviour accustomed by women. Thus, Shakespeare at the end of his play not only has transformed Katherine, but has brought the 1800’s society’s standards back to normal, although present day readers may see Katherine revelation as silly or even ridiculous.
KATH: Why our bodies soft and weak and smooth, Unapt to toil and trouble in the world, But that our soft conditions and our hearts Should well agree with our external parts? ...And place your hands below your husband’s foot: In token of which duty, if he please, My hand is ready, may it do him ease.
Kate’s speech at the end of the play is very representative of the society that Shakespeare grew up around. In the 16th century, Europe was predominantly Christian, which means that they were very traditional. During this time, the head of a marriage was the man because he ultimately was the breadwinner of the family. Due to this, women were seen as servants or objects to their spouse and in Kate’s speech she supports this view when she depicts women as needing to bow down to their husband as if they were a lord. Also the fact that Petruchio and the other husbands agreed to have a bet to show who has the best wife, shows that men only married women in order to pleasure themselves. In her speech, Katharine is very anti-feminist because not only does she imply that women are lower than men but she also calls women weak. In the beginning of the play Kate appeared to be a very strong women because she stood up to society's expectations and she recognized that, saying, “my mind hath once been as big as one of yours,/ My heart as great, my reason haply more,/ To bandy word for word and frown for frown” (V.ii.86). However, after her taming she advises that women should change their personalities in order to fit their gentle exterior. Kate believes that once women do that and accept their role as wives they will become happier because they will be able to serve their husbands, which gives them the satisfaction that they need in life.
I briefly discussed the influence of the time period in my blog as well, but I really enjoyed your elaboration. In order to further your analysis, I think you could talk about Kate's change throughout the novel. At the beginning, she did not fit in with these views at the time, and voiced her opinion which was rare for a women to have the courage to do. By the end of the novel, she does, as you say, fit in with the common views of the time period involving women.
I agree in your point made by stating that Shakespeare is reflecting societies views in the 18th century, as I also agree with Katherine's abrupt change of behavior. However, I would add how this fits to the theme of irony and comedy, since present day readers have another way of viewing feminism compared to the 1700's.
I agree with your analysis of the quote definitely and that its also kind of sad that her new view is that its better to fit in then go against the norm of her culture and a question I bring up is that has society changed that much where there isn't a role for women and a role for men that have been engrained in society?
For then she never looks upon the lure.” (Act 4, page 58)
In this scene, an extended metaphor is used throughout the passage to display Petruchio’s cruel method of “taming” Katharine. She is referred to by him as a Falcon, and Petruchio is taming her in the same way one tames a falcon. In falconry, falcons are supposed to be tired and blind, so they are easier to train, and Petruchio doesn’t let her eat or sleep, all so she’ll “look upon the lure” or do as he commands. Katharine’s husband is treating her like an animal, and since he controls everything in this situation, Katharine is helpless to fight against it. Petruchio holds all the power, and even goes as far as blackmailing her into agreeing to everything he says, “Now by moon, or star, or what I list;/ Or ere I journey to your father’s house./ Go on, and fetch our horses back again./ Evermore cross’d and cross’d and cross’d; nothing but cross’d!” (page 73) Petruchio, comments on the brightness of the moon, despite it being the sun, and then blackmails Katharine into admitting the same, by threatening to keep her from her father. Further into the scene, Katharine is also forced to call Vincentio a woman at Petruchio’s encouragement, before he proceeds to call her mad for doing so. There is nothing Katharine can do now without Petruchio’s consent, not eat, not sleep, and not even speak her true mind, lest she face punishment. Katharine is not being “tamed”, but rather broken at the hands of an abusive manipulator, who she once thought loved her. She who was once a strong, outspoken, intelligent, and confident woman, is broken down to a shell of her former self, and reduced to becoming a pretty mouthpiece for Petruchio.
William Shakespeare displays the change in Katherine’s personality through irony throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Katherine was the independent and loud women who men feared marrying. However, by the end it is evident that Petruchio’s “taming” of her has worked and forced her to change. Katherine gives this speech to the two other wives, due to the command by Petruchio to do so. This is an example of irony, because in the beginning of the novel it is evident that Bianca was the more valued and obedient daughter and wife. This speech made by Katherine also displays the view on women during this time period. Women were to treat men as if they are of more importance. In this excerpt from the speech, Katherine refers to a husband as both the lord, king, and governor, displaying their importance over women in society. Shakespeare also writes, “Such duty as the subject owes the prince,/ Even such a woman oweth her husband” (V.ii.164-165). This demonstrates Shakespeare's view on women as this time, due to his use of a simile. He compares the loyalty of peasants and of a wife to their husband to be equivalent. Katherine’s change of personality is also present when Petruchio says, “Why, there’s a wench! Come on and kiss me, Kate” (V.ii.189). Earlier in the play, Petruchio gives her a similar command and she refuses due to the fact that she hates kissing. However, at this point following the “taming” she does so without any refusal. That displays the change in her argumentative attitude.
I agree with you that Kate definitely does become "tamed " by the end of the play and that this is her change in personality. However, I had not picked up on the fact that all the irony Shakespeare uses is an indication of this change in personality or "taming". I thought that you provided great textual examples to support your claim about the changing of Kate's personality. I also feel that the amount of sarcasm that Kate uses throughout the play is also a good indicator of how "tamed" she is. Good job!
Bianca : "Fie! What a foolish duty call you this?" Lucentio : "I would your duty were as foolish too./ The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,/ hath cost me one hundred crowns since suppertime " (V, ii, 135-138) Here , in this instance Lucentio is stating his opinion about how he feels that what Bianca is being called on to do (her "duty call") is truly meaningful and that her thinking that it wasn't was unwise. Lucentio saying "I would your duty were as foolish too." which means that as I stated earlier Lucentio sees Bianca's view as foolish as she believes her "duty call" is. Shakespeare's use of a simile here gives a convoluted twist on the dialog while also conveying the thoughts of Lucentio. As in my previous blog post this excerpt shows that Shakespeare does not use overly complicated or cumbersome sentences for no reason; he does it in order to "kill two birds in one stone" in a sense. He is conveying the literal thoughts and actions of the characters in the play, while also adding a layer of style or wittiness that makes the reader think more than they normally would had Shakespeare been more direct with the dialogue. The complicated dialogue and oddly structured sentences that one may need to read over twice in order to understand make the play what it is and in general are what give Shakespeare's writing such a unique style. Such complicated dialogue, as previously mentioned, may take several read-throughs in order to retain full comprehension, this is why many people when first reading Shakespeare become discouraged, like I did.
LUCENTIO Love wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love Made me exchange my state with Tranio, While he did bear my countenance in the town, And happily I have arrivèd at the last Unto the wishèd haven of my bliss. What Tranio did, myself enforced him to. Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake. (V.ii.107-113)
A little before this quote the real Vincentio is called an imposter and believes his son Lucentio to be dead and believes that Tranio has murdered him. Lucentio and Bianca come back after eloping and he is trying to explain the situation to his father who is surprisingly forgiving. In the first line of the quote Lucentio seems to be using love as an excuse for all the lying and deceit and because it's out of his love for Bianca. Lucentio has been characterized as someone who falls easily but also impulsive in his decisions because he really doesn’t know Bianca very well at all and even as he was getting to know her he was disguised as Cambio. Lucentio is also a cliche and a bit cheesy similar to other characters created by Shakespeare when he says “ the wished haven of my bliss” he is comparing Bianca and his relationship as heaven or some type of utopia.
I previously had not considered your idea that Shakespeare tries to show that Lucentio is someone that was quite impulsive and did not think his actions through. However, after reading your analysis I can see that this is indeed true. Another example of Lucentio's impulsivity is in Act 3 scene 1 when he attempts to disguise himself as Bianca's tutor; which while working itself out was likely not the best thing that he could have done at that time. Good analysis, what I might add however, is that Lucentio is also quite determined as he will do whatever it takes to make Bianca fall in love with him as previously exemplified by the tutor disguise.
O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
ReplyDeleteI never thought it possible or likely.
But see, while idly I stood looking on,
I found the effect of love in idleness
And now in plainness do confess to thee
That art to me as secret and as dear
As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was,
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,
If I achieve not this young modest girl.
Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst.
Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. (145)
Lucentio has fallen in love with Bianca and Shakespeare uses repetition of “I” to understand the way Lucentio feels about Bianca and again using repetition in the last two lines writing “I know” twice when speaking to Tranio characterizing his as someone who has ultimate faith in his friend but also characterized Tranio as someone who is capable of helping Lucentio with his predicament . Shakespeare also uses allusion in this passage alluding to Dido the Queen of Carthage whom confessed her secret love to her sister Anna and comparing his and Tranio's relationship to theirs. Shakespeare finished Lucentio's passage with the word “wilt” symbolizing that if Lucentio does not have Biana become his wife he will wilt as a flower as it dies.
My idea is similar to your idea. For example, I thought that this quote showed how Tranio views Bianca as an object to win rather than an actually human being. In this quote Tranio has fallen in love with Bianca without even talking to her, which tells us that during this time men chose women only because of their appearance. Due to this, I think that Tranio falls in love very easily because before he had seen Bianca, he was thinking about all the learning he will do, but then he completely forgets about that and is now in love with her.
DeleteI agree with your idea, but I also noticed a tone of desperation in Lucentio's speech, seen when he says Tranio's name after each frantic statement. This is seen in "O Tranio" (...) "Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish Tranio" (...) "Council me, Tranio" (...) "Assist me, Tranio" (...). This can then be connected to your analysis to the fact that Lucentio has fallen deeply in love with Bianca.
Delete
ReplyDelete“What shall I be appointed for hours, as though belike I knew not what to take and what to leave? Ha!”(I.i.103-104)
In this quote we see Katharina’s fiery and abnormal view of men, especially when it comes to marriage. In the beginning of scene one, Shakespeare presents us with Hortensio and Gremio’s perception of Katharina. They describe her as “too rough” (I.i.55), meanwhile Tranio sees her as being “stark mad” (I.i.69), which indicates that her behavior/personality deviates from the normal. Due to this, it is no surprise that these men prefer Bianca’s milder personality. Through these opinions, Shakespeare is trying to portray the sexist assumptions made by men, especially when it comes to the role of women in marriage. Hortensio and Gremio represent the conventional thought that women need to sacrifice their individuality in order to become the perfect wife. This thought is what leads them to prefer Bianca’s milder and submissive personality because they know that they can manipulate her into doing what they say. However, Katharina’s passionate personality seems to disrept the natural order of society, in which the women needs to put their husband on a pedestal. Shakespeare soon presents the essential question, do women need to sacrifice their own values in order to create a happy marriage? To Katharina, she responds to this question with the quote above. She sees this sacrifice as unacceptable and therefore is defending her own independence. This quote could also be talking about how Katharina often objects the way her father controls her every move. Here, she is using sarcasm in order to exaggerate how Baptista exercises his parental authority over her. Before when he tells her, “and so farewell. Katharina, you may stay; For I have more to commune with Bianca” (I.i.100-101), her father isn’t ordering her to stay but rather he is dismissing her as unimportant. When reading this, we can see that Baptista does not care about Katharina as much as he does Bianca, which causes him to make Katharina feel small and insignificant in the eyes of her only parent.
Your analysis is very well thought out, and I wholeheartedly agree with it. Though I did not quite catch her father's now obvious snub, I always thought of his conditions to Bianca's marriage as a way of disposing of Katharine. The sexism of the men concerning women in marriage was another thing I noticed, and I always cheered on Katharine for her dismissal of the men around her. Though this play is meant to be a comedy, I could never find the breaking of such a marvelous character humorous, nor the sexism she and the other women were subject to.
Delete“Nay, look you, sir, he tells you flatly what his mind is: why, give
ReplyDeletehim gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby;
or an old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head, though she have as
many diseases as two and fifty horses: why nothing comes amiss,
so money comes withal.” (Act 1, line 353-357)
After Petruchio’s declaration that he comes to “wive it wealthy in Padua” Grumio proceeds to expand upon that declaration, saying that if gold is involved, there is no limit to the lengths Petruchio would go through to procure it. Though it is meant to exaggerate his greed, Petruchio confirms this accusation by agreeing to woo Katharine. Katharine has been described to him as an “intolerable curst/And shrewd and forward” and yet Petruchio sets out to wed her for the sizable dowry she processes. There is no “noble” love for Katharine from her suitor as is directed towards Bianca from her many suitors, but that stems from the fact that the suitors want a soft-spoken and gentle wife, rather than a quick witted one who speaks her mind. If not for Petruchio’s immense greed, he would not have set out to claim Katharine as his bride, leaving Bianca’s many suitors bereft of a chance to court the more “desirable” of the sisters. As the plot of the play consists of trickery and deception in the pursuit of personal gain, surrounding the “taming” of Katharine, Petruchio’s greed and wit equal to that of the “Shrew” is the catalyst for the events of the play. Though hyperbolic in nature, this passage characterizes Petruchio as greedy enough to do anything for gold.
“Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:
ReplyDeleteAnd let me be a slave, to achieve that maid
Whose sudden sight hath thrall’d my wounded eye.”
(Lines 213-215)
This passage shows an ironic juxtaposition between Tranio and Lucentio’s roles. Lucentio is a fairly wealthy man, who has come to Padua to study. Tranio, however, is his servant; a poor man, and a slave to Lucentio. After seeing Bianca, Lucentio changes his plans in order to be her teacher so he can perhaps win her heart. In this new plan, the two have to switch positions. Lucentio becomes a servant to Baptista, Bianca’s father, to be her teacher, and Tranio takes Lucentio’s place as master of the house. This juxtaposition between the two’s roles show how Lucentio is willing to do anything for love, and Tranio would do anything for his master. This juxtaposition helps characterize these two figures in Taming of the Shrew.
I found your analysis interesting and original. In my blog post I also examined how Shakespeare uses language (diction, syntax, and figurative language) in order to show the differences in different character's social status in particular. I agree with your stance on the subject of what Shakespeare's choice in language does for the overall development of the plot and characters. Nice job overall!
DeleteIn the induction of "Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare, differences in syntax can be seen when differentiating between the hierarchical levels in the society that exists in this play.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare writes:
" Sly: I'll pheeze you, in faith
Host : A pair of stocks, you rogue!
Sly: Y' are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in the chronicles; we came with Richard the conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris; let the world slide:
sessal"(Shakespeare 1-5) In this instance Shakespeare writes about the argument that the hostess and Christopher Sly are having. We can see that the sort of language Shakespeare chooses to use when writing about this conversation is relatively direct with not much figurative language used, nor are there many comparisons to other unrelated colloquial things. A second excerpt that I found was also in the induction: "O monstrous beast! how like a swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man. What think you of, if he were convey'd to bed... ". In this short section from the Lord several comparisons using figurative language are made. Specifically: "how like a swine he lies!" which is a simile comparing Christopher Sly to a pig. The Lord is obviously more affluent and in a higher social class than Sly is, which can help in attributing the differences in each of their casual or typical language styles. Overall, Shakespeare varies language between different characters, almost exclusively in their use of figurative language, in order to help convey the fact that those characters have different social standings.
I really like your analysis and the way you backed it up with quotes. I agree with it, and also believe to further it you could discuss the commands used by the Lord to display his importance and power over his servants. That also demonstrates how he sees himself above others in society. Both help back up your idea that the diction and language used by different characters conveys the difference in social classes.
DeleteThe Induction, of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, is used to display the idea that social class are not always chosen, and Shakespeare uses diction to differentiate between the classes. Ideas are introduced in the induction that will be touched on later in the plat. A person’s place and role in society is not always necessarily a choice, “Believe me, lord, I think he cannot choose.” (I.1.38). The lord is going to attempt to make Sly believe that he is the lord and has power when he was previously a common man. Shakespeare introduces the idea of a woman and Sly instantly believes he must be in power if he has women. This introduces the idea of marriage and women. Many commands are contained within the lord’s lines to demonstrate his power and importance over his servants that are below him and help him complete tasks. In Scene 1 of the induction, Sly is using casual language as any average citizen would. He does not refer to anyone below him, and treats the host as an equal. Later in Scene 2, he begins to talk in a way that displays that he believes he has more importance than others. He talks in a demanding way to others, “Madam, undress you and come to bed.” (I.2. 113). The transformation of Sly’s tone correlates with his dramatic increase in power. When believing that he is important in society he becomes much more demanding and does not speak to others as though they are equals.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your analysis a lot and also agree most definitely with the way Slys attitude changes once he believes that he is of importance. Also relating to what you are saying its interesting that even in todays time class and stature are still a big part of our society throughout the world. The way that humans approach people depending on class can differ but overall there may also be an air or dominance from one side.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete“Think you a little din can daunt my ears?
ReplyDeleteHave I not in my time heard lions roar?
Have I not heard the sea puff’d up with winds
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat?
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field,
And heaven’s artillery thunder in the skies?
Have I not in a pitched battle heard
Loud ‘larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets’ clang?
And do you tell me of a woman’s tongue,
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmer’s fire?” (I, ii, 25).
This passage spoken by Petruchio gives the reader a more vivid idea of the way society viewed women in those days, especially men. The character of Petruchio has just been introduced to the fierce and ill-mannered Katherina, a women that deters in manners and is likely to conceive a suitor for her, since many have fled due to her unstable temper. Shakespeare has therefore, introduced to very similar characters, who share the same personality traits and acrimony, as she is more of evil while he is bathed in arrogance. The way in which Shakespeare has decided to employ a sequence of questions emphasizes the determination of Petruchio to “tame” Katherina and be able to master her and control her. This goes back to the historical context of the novel, where men were seen as superior to women and therefore had dominance and more power over them. The use of repetition of questions also makes reference to Petruchio's strong and pompous personality, as he is listing all the brave and unimaginable things he has done, to show his power and authority over this lady. Furthermore, the use of refrain in the phrase “Have I”, also remarks Petruchio's tough personality, as he seems persistent in promulgating his strength and capacity of being the one to control and tame this unbearable lady.
ReplyDelete“Signior Hortensio, ‘twixt such friends as we
Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know
One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife,
As wealth is a burden of my wooing dance,
Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love,
As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates Xanthippe, or a worse,
She moves me not, or not removes, at least,
Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough
As are the swelling Adriatic seas:
I come to wive it wealthily in Padua;
If wealthily, then happily in Padua” (I.ii.62-73)
Through his use of allusions and similes, Shakespeare conveys Petruchio as a character who values the importance in money and wealth rather than a woman's true personality. Petruchio is searching for a women to marry, but his most important quality he desires is that she has wealth that he will be able to bring back into his family. This passage also helps display the motif of marriage that continues throughout this play. Petruchio alludes to the story of the knight Florentius when discussing a proper women, “Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love” (66). Florentius was a knight who married an ugly hag in order to receive the answer to a riddle and without he would die. This emphasizes Petruchio’s focus on wealth rather than the woman’s looks or personality. Like Florentius, Petruchio is using marriage as a way to gain something he would be unable to receive without it. Petruchio also deems age and looks irrelevant with an allusion to Sibyl and Socrates, “As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd/ As Socrates Xanthippe” (65-66). Sibyl is known for being old and giving as many years as life as grains of sand in her hand. Which alludes to the idea that Petruchio does not care about the age or looks of his wife, but only of what she can give him. He combines the idea of being wealthy and happy into one feeling, “I come to wive it wealthily in PAdua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua “ (72-72). Here, he describes his main purpose for coming to Padua was to marry into money. And the next line is used to show that Petruchio puts money and happiness together, and believes that wealth will bring him joy.
I really enjoyed your post and agree with your idea that Petruchio does value the money to be gained in a relationship then the girl herself and that in my opinion it is his fatal flaw as a character as that the believes that wealth can bring happiness which is incapable
DeleteI am Christopher Sly: call not me “honour” nor “lordship:” I ne’er drank sack in my life; and if you give me any conserves, give me conserves of beef: ne’er ask me what raiment I’ll wear; for for I have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings than legs, nor more shoes than feet; nay, sometimes more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my toes look through the overleather. (induction page 6)
ReplyDeleteUsing vulgarity, and dramatic irony, Shakespeare distinguishes the lower class from the upper class, creating a facetious tone. As the play centers on deception of identity for personal gain, here the first venture into that begins. Christopher Sly has been abducted into the life of luxury at the amusement of one Lord, and any attempts made to explain himself are waved away as insanity. At the beginning of the play, where Sly is seen, the readers are able to witness the full extent of Sly’s language. As the induction progresses however, Sly’s language grows to mimic the rhetoric of the upper class, showing that the vulgarity is exclusive to that of the lower class. His change in language also shows that Sly has begun to accept the lies spoon-fed to him by the Lord, and believes himself to be a lord, creating dramatic irony, that persists throughout the play, as more deception continue in the pursuit of personal gain. The facetious tone created, is due to that of the nature of the deception. Everyone save for Sly is in on the grand joke, and plays along to spin a nearly flawless story. The one flaw however, is also the most amusing part. Sly is led to believe that he has a lady wife, when in fact his wife is merely a page boy acting for the benefit of the Lord. This combination of dramatic irony and vulgarity creates the facetious tone that persists throughout the play.
I really enjoyed your analysis and found it similar to my analysis of the induction. In order to further your analysis I would use quotes to emphasize the language difference between classes. By discussing how Sly originally talked and comparing it to the lord would show the reader the difference. I personally wonder if Sly’s change in tone and language was unconscious or if he believed he had a right to talk that way with his new increased power. By using quotes to compare the diction used by Sly in the beginning and end, you would really emphasize the difference between classes and be able to relate that to how they act in the society. I believe the vast difference in language demonstrates how Shakespeare viewed society, with the common people and the wealth having nothing in common
Delete(This is my induction post did the act 1 post first)
ReplyDelete“My husband and my lord, my lord and husband,
I am your wife in all obedience.” (Ind 104)
The beginning of The Taming of the Shrew introduces Sly a drunk who is being kicked out of a tavern where a Lord discovers him and decides to play a joke on Sly. The Lord takes Sly back to his home and has him dressed in fine clothing and jewels so when he awakens from his sleep he will believe he is lord who had been in one long dream for many years. The Lord says to Sly that he has a wife, really just making his page dress up as a women. The page who says the quote above is pretending to play Sly's wife as insisted by the Lord. This line is a representation of gender roles and where women stand in this time. The page is comparing not only Sly to being a lord in wealth but also I think as Lord being God and that him being the “husband” entitles him to have control over “her”. As the scene continues Sly asks the Page to come to bed though he declines, and this is representative of how women were used for their bodies and not their minds but also that after thinking that he has been in a dream state for fifteen plus years he is entitled to her. Something else I noticed is that this character of the Page disguising himself as Sly's wife is Shakespeare foreshadowing for other characters to do the same.
i agree with your analysis, Sly's constant attempts to seduce or command his "lady wife" show that he suspects nothing of the lucrative situation he is in. Sly does not even look further into the issue when his attempts at sleeping with the page are met with resistance and half-hearted explanations, because it is unimaginable to him that a woman married to him would ever deceive him.
DeleteINDUCTION:
ReplyDelete“SLY: Y’are a baggage, the Slys are no rogues. Look in the chronicles - we came in with Richard Conqueror. Therefore paucas pallabris: let the world slide. Sessa!” (I.i.2).
“SLY: No, not a denier. Go by, Saint Jeronimy. Go to thy own bed and worm thee”. (I.i.2).
These two quotes are seen in the first page of the induction and of the whole play, in which Shakespeare uses vulgarity to introduce the character of Sly. In this part of the play, Christopher Sly is drunk, in a bar and is arguing with the hostess since he refuses to pay for the damage he has done to the cabin. He therefore calls her a whore, “baggage” and even tells her to go play with herself seen in “Go to thy own bed and worm thee”. The fact that Shakespeare has started his play by introducing this mad and impaired character creates the first allusion of comedy and sarcasm, as he is intending to mock and ridicule this man. We can also immediately see by Sly’s vulgar and unsophisticated manners the type of person he is, and to what class he belongs to; a poor, miserable and unfortunate man, and we see that he has no respect and is also not respected by others. Also, this first scene shows how disgraceful and unworthy this act of drunkenness is seen by society in that time, specially in the 1600’s, which allows Shakespeare to recreate the culture and customs lived through those people 400 years ago. Also, the poet manages to create a high contrast between the rich and the poor, and their appearances, Sly representing the poor, mocked and made a fool of, whereas the Lord is seen as much more prestigious, powerful and corrupt. I believe that Shakespeare has used the character of Sly to also clearly reflect the reality of the noble at that time period, arrogant and conceited as some may be today, criticizing this class and showing the incredulousness behind all the gold.
Nice analysis! I did not know about the term "baggage" before reading this (or much other vernacular from the 1600s). I feel that being able to pick up on these types of allusions makes reading the text much more enjoyable and makes much more sense. I did not notice what Sly could have represented as mentioned in your interpretation, before now. Nice insights!
Delete"Gentlemen, Importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolved you know; That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter before I have a husband for the elder: If either of you both love Katharina Because I know you well and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure ... Gentlemen content ye; I am resolved: Go in Bianca: And for I know she taketh most delight in music, instruments and poetry, Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio, or Signior, Gremio, you, know any such, Prefer them hither; for to cunning men I will be verykind, and liberal to mine own children in good bringing-up. And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay; for Ihave more to commute with Bianca. "(1.1.12,114) At this point in the play Lucentio is being by Baptista that the only way for him to be able to marry Bianca is if Katharina becomes married before this happens. In this excerpt Shakespeare effectively uses harsh diction and punctuation in order to show the mood and feelings of a particular character. "Firmly" is not only a harsh word in definition, but it also gives a bit of a sharp sound when spoken aloud. Also, we can see in the second section of the excerpt (after the ellipsis) numerous commas, colons, and semicolons are used. This breaks up the text and takes away from its rhythm and cadence. The lack of rhythm and choppy sound of the text can help to show how Baptist is being strict and final with his judgements about his daughters' marrying situation.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete“She is your treasure, she must not have a husband;/ I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day/ And for your love to her lead apes in hell” (II.i.29).
This quote is said by Katharina in response to her father coming to Bianca’s rescue, in which he says, “Bianca stand aside. Por girl! she weeps...For shame thou hilding of devilish spirit” (II.i.29). Here, we see that Bianca is in fact Baptista’s favorite because he calls Katharina a good-for-nothing and compares her to the devil. However, Katharina does not seem angry because of what her father said but rather with the fact that her younger sister could actually be married before her. She also seems frustrated with the realization that she is not getting any younger and will soon be at an age where it is seen as socially unacceptable to get married. I think that Katharina is stuck between hating the suitors because they do not want to marry her due to her making it very obvious that she wishes to be independent, and wanting to marry before her sister does. This shows us that Katharina has become envious of Bianca because of her obedient and passive personality, something that Kate clearly does not have. In this small exchange between Katharina, Bianca, and Baptista, we learn that Kate is scared of becoming an old maid.
“PET: Signor Baptista, my business asketh haste,
ReplyDeleteAnd every day I cannot come to woo.
You knew my father well, and in him me,
Left solely heir to all his lands and goods,
Which I have better’d rather than decreased:
Then tell me, if I get your daughter’s love,
What dowry shall I have with her to wife?
BAP: After my death the one half of my lands,
And in possession, twenty thousand crowns.
PET: And, for that dowry, I’ll assure her of
Her widowhood, be it that she survive me,
In all my land and leases whatsoever:
Let specialities be therefore drawn between us,
That covenants be kept on either hand.” (II,i,35)
In these three dialogues between Petruchio and Baptista, we can see various themes that reflect the customs and cultures of Shakespeare’s time period. On the first hand, we can see the importance of money and richness in that time period, and how everyone and everything revolved around it. This is reflected in Shakespeare’s play to the fact that Baptista and Petruchio are arranging a marriage that involves money, richness, and property as the main key feature of this compromise, seen in “What dowry shall I have with her to wife?”. Even though today’s standards have drastically changed compared to those for hundred years ago, we can assimilate the pledge of money and prestige between the noblemen in this play, since many people in the 20th century still believe money to be the most important aspect of life, and still marry their partners due to their own personal interest in money or, more commonly fame. However, we can not forget that this custom was practised more than 400 years ago and that, at time, it was viewed as morally acceptable and normal.
This also makes reference to the power and influence that these rich men had at that that time period, and how it created a great abyss between the rich, and the poor. We can see how contracts and arrangements were made between those men with hierarchy and authority, and their prestige was based upon how rich they were, and how much influence and control they had on lands. The quote “You knew my father well”, allows the reader to understand how only men with powerful families and ancestors were only capable of making and moving money, since this meant that they had prestige and status amongst the other men.
Lastly, the most important theme of all is the role and undermining of women in the 16th century. The simple fact that a father is handling his daughter marriage, deciding who shall or shall not wed her in the standards of wealth and money that each suitor has to offer show how weak and inconspicuous women were seen four hundred years ago. It seems as if marriage were only just a simple contract between two very powerful men that would guarantee prominence and wealth for both families. These arrangements were only done by men and for their own interests, therefore reflecting the power and superiority they had, since they could take decisions for women based on their own interests. This theme is seen in every page of Shakespeare’s play, but can be more fully acknowledges in the title: “Taming of the Shrew”. Shakespeare does the work of undermining woman and even animalating her, as if females with high tempered are supposed to be tamed to reach the standards man.
your critique is very well thought out and i wholeheartedly agree with it. Prominence, Power, and wealth is all Petruchio cares for, and wedding Katherine is but a way to achieve that. This is especially seen when Baptista believes Petruchio over Katherine. Despite knowing his daughter and had having a heated exchange with her in the beginning of the scene, Baptista instantly believes Petruchio when he claims Katherine to be the opposite of her personality. Her marriage in his eyes, is just a convenient way to join two prominent families and rid himself of a troublesome daughter.
Deleteyour critique is very well thought out and i wholeheartedly agree with it. Prominence, Power, and wealth is all Petruchio cares for, and wedding Katherine is but a way to achieve that. This is especially seen when Baptista believes Petruchio over Katherine. Despite knowing his daughter and had having a heated exchange with her in the beginning of the scene, Baptista instantly believes Petruchio when he claims Katherine to be the opposite of her personality. Her marriage in his eyes, is just a convenient way to join two prominent families and rid himself of a troublesome daughter.
Delete“What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see/ She is your treasure, she must have a husband;/ I must dance barefoot on her wedding day/ And for your love for her lead apes into hell.” (Act 2 page 29)
ReplyDeleteUsing allusion, Shakespeare creates an envious tone, in which Katherine displays her displeasure at being second best in her father’s eyes. Having just been scolded by her father for trying to force Bianca into admitting which suitor she fancies most, Katherine in turn proclaims how Babtista loves Bianca more and cares not for her fate. She says that she will be forced to “dance barefoot on her wedding day” which alludes to a popular belief at the time that doing so would prevent her from becoming a spinster, or unmarried woman. Clearly Katherine does not believe that her father will uphold his condition that she must be married before Bianca, and while she has no wish for a husband, it’s clear Katherine longs for her father’s love and approval. Going even further, Katherine says “your love for her lead apes into hell” which was the supposed fate of unmarried and barren women. To Katherine, the extent of her father’s favoritism will cause her to be miserable, and while definitely overdramatic, the animosity between father and daughter makes it appear warranted. Later in the scene, Babtista believes Petruchio, a stranger, over his daughter, when his personal knowledge of her should immediately tip him off that Petruchio is but a liar, come to wed wealthy in Padua. Baptista’s obvious favoritism between his two daughters causes Katherine to become envious, and lash out in anger.
“Kath. Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell
ReplyDeleteWhom thou lovest best: see thou dissemble not.
Bian. Believe me, sister, of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
Which I could fancy more than any other.
Kath. Minion, thou liest. Is’t not Hortensio?”
In this passage, the two sisters, Katherina and Bianca are arguing, showing the differences between these two. Katharina wants to know who Bianca favors. Bianca replies saying she doesn't favor any of them. Katharina believes she is lying, showing that Katharina and Bianca share two sides of the spectrum, one very into love, the other not as interested. Upon first being introduced to the two sisters, they are characterized in opposite fashions: Bianca is sweet, beautiful and talented. Katherina is coarse, not very attractive, and undesirable. This quote as well as other instances in the play create a juxtaposition between the two. From these descriptions, and this bickering, Shakespeare describes the sisters as foils of each other.
I agree with your idea, but I would also point out that this quote also shows the sort of jelousy or envy Katherine has upon her sister, since it seems that she somehow is now intrested in the life and opinions of her sister Bianca about who she will choose as a suitor. Katherine, not having any suitor due to her detestable attitdude seems intrested out of envy of Bianca's retinue of men that seem desperate to marry her.
Delete"Bian. Good sister, wrong me not, nor wrong yourself,
ReplyDeleteTo make a bondmaid and a slave of me;
That I disdain: but for these other gawds,
Unbind my hands, I'll pull them off myself,
Yea, all my raiment, to my petticoat;
Or what you will command me will I do,
So well I know my duty to my elders." (II.I.28)
In this section Shakespeare utilizes negative diction, allusions to life sarcasm in order to show the sarcastic jealousy that Bianca has for her younger sister, Katharina. In saying "To make a bondmaid and a slave of me;" Bianca is being satirical and somewhat sarcastic in that she is sarcastically saying that she, as the less desirable sister, will become the stereotypical house-slave/wife that takes care of all of the chores because she will marry a man who does not have enough money to afford house servants that can do them for him. However this will not be the case as Bianca will be the the one who gets married to a man that will be able to afford house workers as she is the more mild tempered of the sisters. Bianca also goes on to say "Believe me, sister, of all the of all the men alive I never yet beheld that special face Which I could fancy more than any other". In this instance Bianca is making Katharina particularly mad because while Bianca has many men who wish to marry her she does not see any of them as fit, and Katharina does not have any men who wish to marry her, so she is experiencing extreme jealousy.
I agree with your analysis, and mine is very similar to your ide of jealousy due to the comparison of the sisters. In order to further your analysis you could elaborate on and explain the new jealousy forming within Katherine. I really liked the way you analyzed the allusion and related it to Bianca's character.
DeleteThe second Act in Taming of the Shrew becomes a turning point in the characterization of Katherine. Previously, in Act One, she comes off as an independent woman, but Shakespeare displays a new side of her in Act Two. She demonstrates a side of love and jealousy to those that have it, early in the first scene when conversing with Bianca. She tells Baptista, “She is your treasure, she must have a husband. I will dance barefoot on her wedding day, And for your love to her lead apes in hell” (II.i.32-34). When doing research, the term “lead apes in hell” refers to old women who die unmarried. Katherine, knowing Bianca is deemed the more desirable sister by most suitors, expresses jealousy and desire to be noticed by the suitors. She does not want to be die unmarried and is for the first time truly expressing interest in marriage. Katherine comes to the realization that she is trapped. She hates all the suitors, and originally doesn’t display a want to get married. They don’t want to marry her, because she makes her hatred for them all too obvious. Petruchio may seem like the answer to her marriage related problems. He comes in praising her and actually expressing desire to marry her, which attracts her attention. For Katherine, marriage symbolizes a possible new outlook on life and a change in her harsh personality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you attacked this scene and also Petruchio has the same wit as Katherine which also may make him seem more relatable too her because they both have quick wit and both tempermental. Though with Petruchio he is the one who actually tames her because she respects him enough.
DeleteTRANIO
ReplyDelete(as LUCENTIO)
That “only” came well into BAPTISTA) Sir, list to me:
I am my father’s heir and only son.
If I may have your daughter to my wife,
I’ll leave her houses three or four as good,
Within rich Pisa walls, as any one
Old Signior Gremio has in Padua,
Besides two thousand ducats by the year
Of fruitful land, all which shall be her jointure.—
What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio?
In this scene Tranio disguised as Lucentio and Gremio are both vying for Baptista's approval and his permission to marry his younger daughter Bianca. Lucentio is trying to show off what he has to offer her. Again we see gender roles in this scene as Lucentio is telling Bianca's father about what he has to give, not in emotions or qualities such as love, friendship, protection but in material goods. Saying that “all which shall be her jointure” meaning when he dies she will receive two thousand ducats by year of fruitful land which under the radar essentially meaning she has nothing until she is a widow reverting back to gender in that Bianca is under his thumb even if Lucentio may not have that intention at all. When Lucentio says the last line “What, have I pinched you, Signior Gremio?” He is alluding that hopefully Gremio is beginning to feel uneasy about his own chances with Bianca and may give up soon.
“Luc. Hic ibat Simois, hic est Sigeia tellus,
ReplyDeleteHic steterat Priami regia celsa senis.
Bian. Conster them.
Luc. “Hic ibat”, as I told you before, - “Simois”, I am
Lucentio, - “hic est”, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, -
“Sigeia tellus”, disguised thus to get your love, - “Hic
steterat”, and that “Lucentio” that comes a-wooing, -
“Priami”, is my man Tranio, - “regia”, bearing my port, -
“celsa senis”, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.”
This passage is very important to the book. Lucentio, while disguised as Bianca’s tutor, tries to tell Bianca that he is really Lucentio, and that he loves her. This is very important to the storyline because Lucentio takes action towards Bianca which will develop later on. This passage also shows Lucentio’s conviction and devotion to Bianca as well as his confidence in gaining Bianca’s heart. However, he states his message hidden between literature, and under the sound of Hortensio's tuning so as not to give his disguise away to everyone. This passage is very important to Lucentio’s character development as well as to the storyline.
"Bianca: Why, Gentlemen, you do me double wrong, To strive for that which resteth in my choice : I am no breeching scholar in the schools; I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please myself. And, to cut offall strife, here sit we down: Take you your instrument, play you the whiles; His lecture will be done ere you have tuned. "(III, I) In this instance Shakespeare uses allusion to the vernacular of 16th century Europeans a in order to show the motives and outlook Bianca has on life and learning. In proclaiming "I am no breeching scholar in the schools; I'll not be tied to hours nor pointed times, But learn my lessons as I please." Bianca is stating that way in which she learns is different from what was considered normal at the time. She states that she does not want to be schooled in the traditional way: "I am no breeching scholar" and wishes to only learn the types of things that can be taught though ones everyday actions and occurrences rather than from the classroom. Also, her saying that "His lecture will be done ere you have tuned" is showing Lucentio and Hornesto what what she values in life by almost mocking the type of schooling the two had received. Also, she is stating that while less formal, her educational background was more fast paced and nothing like what the two men had ever seen before as they would not be able to keep up. While this is not exactly explicit in the text it can be implied from this line.
ReplyDeleteI had not considered this scene in the way you interpreted it, but I find your analysis highly insightful. Here we can see that Bianca is just as headstrong as Katharine, but hides it better, never showing it to those in which would scorn her for her daring. She has seen where that got Katharine, and knows that taking on a soft spoken and delicate persona will get her farther than being brash and outspoken. Her quip at Lucentio and Hornesto shows that she also shares Katharines wit.
DeleteNo shame but mine. I must, forsooth, be forced
ReplyDeleteTo give my hand, opposed against my heart,
Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen,
Who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure.
I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,
Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior,
And, to be noted for a merry man,
He’ll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage,
Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns,
Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.
Now must the world point at poor Katherine
And say, “Lo, there is mad Petruchio’s wife,
If it would please him come and marry her!”
Katharine here believes that Petruchio means to make a fool of her, and uses hyperbolic language to convey her anger. She did not wish to wed Petruchio in the first place, saying she “be forced
To give my hand” and repeatedly calls him “mad.” As she was merely an obstacle to Bianca being married, Katharine believes that Babtista would marry her off to a man that would make a fool of her, and she is not wrong. Petruchio arrives to the wedding late, dressed in clothes that do not match and embarrasses Katharine. It also appears that Katharine is upset at the revelation that she was not initially wrong about Petruchio. Initially, Katharine appreciated battling wits with someone who could keep up with her, but then Petruchio’s advances, and the revelation that her father arranged her marriage behind her back caused her to hate both Petruchio and the situation she was forced into. Now she seems wholly disillusioned, and her comment “He’ll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, Make friends, invite, and proclaim the banns,/ Yet never means to wed where he hath wooed.” is both hyperbolic and shows her bitterness. Though she knew she had much to lose from the situation she was forced into, Katharine held onto the hope that perhaps she misread Petruchio, and could be happy with someone who would value her for herself, rather than ignore her in favor of her mild mannered sister. This of course is not the case, and Katharine reads it aptly, knowing now that she has nothing to gain from this marriage, and everything to lose.
I agree with your argument, and the fact that Petruchio had actually managed to conquer the heart of the ill-mannered shrew. I also believe that Katherine feels humiliated and embarrassed to the events leaded by Petruchio's unwise commitments, but I also feel that it is a lesson she must face and learn regarding her prior evil attitudes towards people.
Delete“TRA: Let us entreat you stay till after dinner.
ReplyDeletePERT: It may not be.
GRE: Let me entreat you.
PET: It cannot be.
KAT: Let me entreat you.
PER: I’m content.
KAT: Are you content to stay?
PER: I am content you shall entreat me stay,
But yet not stay, entreat me how you can.” (III, ii, 51)
Halfway through the novel, we can see how Shakespeare has developed the character of Petruchio as the key ironic and comic feature of his play, by clashing him with the fierce and bold Katherina. In this part of Act 3, Petruchio has arrived late to his wedding, has humiliated Kate due to his tardy and is wearing unbearable and unacceptable clothing on their memorable day. However, he seems oblivious about it and carries on with the ceremony. After wedding Kate, Petruchio announces that he has to part and that he can not stay for the family’s wedding celebration since he has other important stuff to do. Kate, already embarrassed and mortified by Petruchio’s prior actions seems reluctant to let his husband leave and pleads for his stay, amongst others in the scene. Shakespeare uses refrain to in both Gremio, Tranio, and Katherina’s entreat in “Let me entreat you”, as well as in Petruchio’s response to them. This creates the comedy and satire tone in the scene, showing how uncaring and apathetic Petruchio feels in that situation, not giving much interest on his wife and wedding and more concerned in other issues. However, when Katherine begs him to stay, he responds with “I am content”, juxtaposing his previous answers to Gremio and Tranio, but then clarifying that he is content that she wants him to stay, but cannot. The fact that Petruchio seems indifferent about his wife and their marriage, and how we is just carrying on happily with his life shows the way the poet wants show the undermining of Katherine and the power of Petruchio. In other words, it is Petruchio’s own eminent way of taming the bad-tempered woman of his wife. He is taming her by making her fall in love with him, but later humiliating and embarrassing her, destroying her self confidence and wicked morale. Once again, this fits in the theme of the life of women at that time period, as they were supposed to be, and considered inferior and below men.
ReplyDelete“No shame but mine: I must, forsooth, be forced/ To give my hand, opposed against my heart, Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen;/ Who woo’d in haste, and means to wed in leisure” (III.ii.45).
In this scene, Petruchio makes it very obvious that he has no real desire to marry Katharina. He embarrasses her with his shabby clothes, rude behavior during the ceremony, and his demand for them to leave early. It almost seems like he is parading the fact that Kate chose to wed and to someone like Petruchio of all people. In this quote, she is second guessing her decision because she went against her beliefs and is now being ridiculed by a man that she thought was different from the other suitors. This scene creates the idea that like Sly, Kate does not have much freedom in her situation. It also reiterates the theme of the play, which is authority in marriage. In the beginning of the play, we saw Kate standing up to her father and the other suitors, through her fiery personality, however, with Petruchio this fire is almost distinguished. Going back to the quote, we know that if she really did not want to marry Petruchio, she would have been able to resist because she has done that in the past, but even when she did try to refuse Petruchio’s demand to leave the wedding, she doesn’t answer with the same fire, instead she says, “I see a woman may be made a fool, if she had not a spirit to resist” (III.ii.52). This is not the Katharina in the beginning of the play who used vulgar language in order to prove her point. Instead this is a Katharina, who chooses not to fight with her husband because she is intimidated by his unwavering stance. Due to this, Kate has become powerless to stop the forceful actions of others towards her, just like Sly, who doesn’t understand the fact that he is now a lord. In this scene we see that Katharina and Petruchio’s marriage will not be based off equality.
ReplyDelete(Late because of concussion)
“Hic ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am Lucentio, hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love, Hic steterat, and that “Lucentio” that comes a-wooing, Priami is my man Tranio, regia, bearing my port, celsa senis, that we might beguile the old pantaloon.” (III.i.32-36)
This scene distracts the reader from the main plot involving Katherine’s marriage and turns focus onto the subplot, Bianca’s marriage. This scene displays Shakespeare’s use humor in both Lucentio and Hortensio’s confession of love and desire towards Bianca, and their use of disguises in order to grow closer to her. Humor is demonstrated when Lucentio says “ Hic ibat, as I told you before, Simois, I am Lucentio, hic est, son unto Vincentio of Pisa, Sigeia tellus, disguised thus to get your love (III.i. 32-34). Lucentio is confessing his love for Bianca to her as he disguised as Cambio, a latin translation teacher. Once it is Hortensio’s turn, he immediately uses the same method, secretly displaying his love through his music lesson. This provides comic relief, but also demonstrates the idea of women’s rights during this time period. Most marriages are planned, or the women barely has any say, so the men find first impressions important when fighting for Bianca’s love. Also, Bianca’s favoritism towards Lucentio is displayed. However, she does barely know him, which foreshadows future consequences for the couple.
“Pet. … Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
ReplyDeleteKath. The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now.
Pet. I say it is the moon that shines so bright.
Kath. I know it is the sun that shines so bright.
Pet. Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself, / It shall be moon, or star, or what I list, / Or ere I journey to your father's house. / Go on, and fetch our horses back again. / Evermore cross’d and cross’d; nothing but cross’d!
Hor. Say as he says, or we shall never go.
Kath. Forward, I pray, since we have come so far, /And be it moon, or sun, or what you please: / And if you please to call it a rush-candle, / Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
Pet. I say it is the moon.
Kath. I know it is the moon.”
This quote is one crucial to the plot because it shows the start of Katherine being tamed.
Katherine is a wild one; free spirited and outspoken, it was a difficult to make a match, but Petruchio claimed he would be the one to tame her. Shakespeare uses repetition to show this change, or taming of Katherine. Petruchio claims “it is the moon that shines so bright.” Katherine replies “it is the sun that shines so bright.” At first Shakespeare’s use of repetition outlined their quarrel, showing Katherine’s adamant nature. But Katherine gets tired of opposing Petruchio’s claims and gives in. We can see this when Shakespeare again uses repetition: Petruchio: “I say it is the moon.” Katherine: “I know it is the moon.” Petruchio tests her again by renouncing his statement and instead stating that it is, in fact, the sun that shines brightly. Katherine responds immediately that if Petruchio says it is the sun, then it is the sun. Shakespeare's use of repetition moves the story along by showing Katherine’s first step in becoming tame.
Another example from the text that would also support your analysis is when Kate and Petruchio are on their way to Padua and Katharina mistakes Vincentio for a women. I think this because when Petruchio corrects her, he calls her "mad" and she agrees. This shows that she may be starting to become tamed because she is agreeing with Petruchio rather than arguing with him.
DeletePet. Thus I have politicly begun my reign,/ And ‘t is my hope to end successfully./ My falcon now is sharp and passing empty;/ And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,/ For then she never looks upon her lure./ Another way I have to man my haggard,/ To make her come and know her keeper’s call/...That bate and beat and will not be obedient./ She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat;/ Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not;/...This is a way to kill a wife with kindness (IV.i.58-59).
ReplyDeleteThe main focus of scene one is to develop the joke in which Petruchio angers Katharina by having an exaggerated concern for her wellbeing and therefore keeps her hungry, tired, and uncomfortable. In this quote, Petruchio uses symbolism in order to explain his plan to “tame” Kate as well as explain the events that will transpire in act IV. In this monologue, he explains that he will tame her as a falconer trains his falcon, by coaxing her with temptations that are out of reach. Petruchio wants to extinguish Kate’s temper by “killing her with kindness”. In order to do so, Petruchio starts by bringing her a meal but allowing her little time to eat it before the tailor arrives. He then tries to find faults with all the expensive clothes that Kate likes, saying, “why, this was moulded on a porringer...’t is lawd and filthy...a knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap” (IV.iii.65). Lastly, he contradicts her again when he tells Kate that they will arrive at Padua at noon , but when Kate tells him that noon has already passed, he angrily declares that when they do go, “it shall be what o’clock I say it is” (IV.iii.69). Although Petruchio’s treatment of Kate is horrific, by trying to smooth out her rough temper with love, he makes himself seem more gentlemanly to the audience and also gives him an opportunity to have a loving relationship with Kate after she accepts her role as a wife. Going back to the quote, Petruchio’s monologue indicates the importance of his plan because he feels that Kate will not reach true happiness unless she changes her role, thus showing that even though his methods are harsh, he is only doing this because he loves her.
I really enjoyed your analysis and think you could use the monologue on lines 165-189 in Act 4 Scene 1. This fully describes his plan and also discusses the symbolism of the falcon. Here, Petruchio describes his plan as reducing to little or even no sleep and food, in order to help teach her obedience to her husband. In this particular symbolism with the falcon, he refers to himself as the master.
Delete
ReplyDeletePET: Oh, no, good Kate. Neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture and mean array.
If thou account’st it shame, lay it on me,
And therefore frolic! We will hence forthwith
To feast and sport us at thy father’s house.
Go, call my men, and let us straight to him,
And bring our horses unto Long Lane end.
There will we mount, and thither walk on foot,
Let’s see, I think ‘tis now some seven o’ clock,
And well we may come there by dinnertime.
KATH: I dare assure you, sir, ‘tis almost two,
And ‘twill be supper time ere you come there.
PET: It shall be seven ere I go to horse.
Look what I speak, or do, or think to do,
You are still crossing it. Sirs, let’t alone.
I will not go today, and ere I do
It shall be what o’ clock I say it is.
(IV.iii.175-191)
Petruchio is talking to Katherine immediately after he yells at the tailor and kicks him out for apparently unsatisfactory work, however Petruchio does tell him that he will be receiving the payment. Previously, Petruchio had used animal descriptions to question the physical appearance and if it truly affects beauty. He says, “What, is the jay more precious than the lark/ Because his feathers are more beautiful?/ Or is the adder better than the eel/ Because his painted skin contents the eye?” (IV.iii.172-174). Petruchio is saying that physical appearance should not matter, and that was inside the body and mind is more important. At this point, he is telling Katherine that they will be returning in poor garments. This demonstrates the idea that, how Petruchio states it as, “For ‘tis the mind that makes the body rich”. This section of Petruchio’s speech displays irony, because the audience is aware that Katherine was wed primarily for the money, rather than the personality she contains. Petruchio describes beauty with the animals as being on the inside, however he contradicts those statements by marrying Katherine for wealth. Here, Katherine contradicts Petruchio’s statement of time, and telling him that his is incorrect. This angers him and he speaks to her in a commanding tone, giving her an ultimatum. Petruchio tells Katherine, that he will not take her to see her father until she agrees with him as to what time it is, which symbolizes complete agreement with his decisions regarding anything.
I agree with the fact that it is ironic how Petruchio is now stating that physical appearance should not matter and that inside the mind and body is what should matter. I think it is Petruchio's technique on 'taming' Kate and maybe even flirting with her.
DeleteLucentio: I may, and will, if she be so contented.
ReplyDeleteShe will be pleased. Then wherefore should I doubt?
Hap what hap may, I’ll roundly go about her.
It shall go hard if “Cambio” go without her.(iv.iii.100-105)
This scene is where Biondello has just told Lucentio that he should elope with Bianca and everything for that is prepared while Batista is signing trivial contracts with the others. Lucentio since the beginning of the play has been characterised as someone who jumps in headfirst since he met Bianca he fell in love with her and now he's going to elope with her after her father has already agreed with the marriage. The use of the gender specific pronouns of “her” and “she” by Shakespeare used by Lucentio are also characterizing him or making it seem at least like he cares about Bianca opinion in the matter kind of like a foil to Petruchio who is abusing Katherina at this point. This scene is showing us a minor conflict of interest within the characters as the major conflict is with Petruchio trying to tame Katherina.
Baptista : "Sir, Pardon me in what I have to say./ Your plainness and your shortness please me well./ Right true it is your son Lucent here doth love my daughter and she loveth him, Or both dissemble deeply their affections. And therefore, if you say no more than this, 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. "(IV, iv, 38-47)
ReplyDeleteBaptista, at the beginning of the play is very hesitant about letting anyone marry his youngest daughter, Bianca, because his older and less desirable daughter, Kate, must get married first. Originally, the reader sees that Bianca will likely have to wait a very long time before she gets married because no one seems to like or be interested in marrying Kate, this is however until Lucentio shows that he is willing to put up with Kate's shrew-like tendencies. Here, at the end of scene four, it is not the first moment that Baptista is agreeing to the marriage of his eldest daughter, but it is one of the first instances in the play that Baptista is explicitly outlining his agreement with the marriage. This is a rather long excerpt for what it conveys: that Baptista is fine with and maybe a little bit excited about his daughter getting married. The extra words in this section were not just Shakespeare trying to fulfill the word count that his teacher set, rather he is communicating a character's thoughts in a rather elegant way. Instead of s aying "Right true it is your son Lucentio here..." Shakespeare could have just as easily said "Lucentio", but giving some extra details, like noting that Lucent is the son of the Merchant, helps to keep the reader constantly aware of the context of the text and the situation at had. In act four and throughout the text Shakespeare adds seemingly meaningless detail around basic facts in order to keep the reader more aware and cognitive of the context of the text.
“KATH: Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
ReplyDeleteAnd be it moon, or sun, or what you please:
And if you please to call it a rush-candle,
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
PET: I say it is the moon.
KAT: I know it is the moon.
PET: Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun.
KAT: Then, God be bless’d, it is the blessed sun:
But sun it is not, when you say it is not;
And the moon changes even as your mind.
What you will have it named, even that it is;
And so it shall be so for Katharine.” (IV, V, 73).
At this moment in the play, we can see how Shakespeare has drastically changed Katherine's character compared to the previous Acts. Kate now seems that she has fallen in to Petruchio's commands and desires, as he wishes to tame her wild behavior, although Shakespeare implements a slight tone of exhaustion and weariness in Katherine’s character, as it seems that she can not get enough of the intolerable behavior and treating of her husband. Shakespeare has changed his diction in Katherine's dialogues, from a more aggressive and hostile language, to a more passive and submissive one. To start with, the poet has used the words “pray”, “vow”, “God”, and “Bless” to reflect the compliant and peaceful personality of Katherine. The words “pray” and “vow” are related to a more religious and faithful context, implying goodness and commitment in them. Therefore, this contrasts Katherine's previous behaviour, since she was seen as a shrew and even a sin. However, thanks to the mastering of Petruchio, Katherine is now a new women, obedient and free from her foul manners. Shakespeare has also chosen to use the word “please” in Katherine's speech, to suggest her surrender on to her husband’s control. At first, we would have never imagined Katherine giving pleasure to someone, especially if it were a man, but now we can see how Petruchio has managed to make Katherine agree and satisfy every claim made by him, how nonsense it may be. Overall, we can see how diction has managed to portray the character of Katherine in a completely different way, which makes the reader acknowledge and embrace Petruchio for having eliminated the foulness in her. This also creates the comic part in the play, creating irony in Petruchio’s character and foolishness in his techniques on taming Katherine.
“KATH: I am ashamed that women are so simple
ReplyDeleteTo offer war where they should kneel for peace;
Or seek for rule, supremacy and sway
When they are bound to serve, love and obey.” (V, II, 170).
We can see through this quote how Shakespeare finally determines the character of Katherine by presenting her in act 5 completely mastered and disciplined. He introduces her new self in the extensive speech she is commanded to give out to the Widow and Bianca, in which she stands for respecting and praising their husbands. We can see in this quote how Shakespeare has implemented assonance in the ending words on each line, seen in “simple” (170) and “peace” (171), as well as “sway” (172) and “obey” (173). This creates a smooth flow in Katherine’s speech, which makes her character more harmonious and mellifluous. Shakespeare also uses alliteration in line 171 in the words “seek”, “supremacy” and “sway”. The fact that he uses this literary device remarks the strongness and power of the diction she is using, since it is reflecting the unsuitable and inappropriate behaviour of women towards her husband's, which is then contrasted with the serene and peaceful words seen in the last line of the quote. These two contrasts also reflect Katherine’s abrupt change in attitude as she priorly was commanding, dominant and prominent, whereas now she is gullible, submissive and compliant. Katherine’s speech in Shakespeare’s play reflect the role of women in society’s in the early 17/1800’s. I believe that at time, the fact that a women like Katherine would stand up to men as she did was seen as so barbaric that it was actually ironic. Therefore, the comic part in Taming of the Shrew is, not only the taming of Katherine, or the joke played to Slay, but the fact that a women is actually holding up against a man, is being disrespectful and not following the appropriate behaviour accustomed by women. Thus, Shakespeare at the end of his play not only has transformed Katherine, but has brought the 1800’s society’s standards back to normal, although present day readers may see Katherine revelation as silly or even ridiculous.
KATH: Why our bodies soft and weak and smooth,
ReplyDeleteUnapt to toil and trouble in the world,
But that our soft conditions and our hearts
Should well agree with our external parts?
...And place your hands below your husband’s foot:
In token of which duty, if he please,
My hand is ready, may it do him ease.
Kate’s speech at the end of the play is very representative of the society that Shakespeare grew up around. In the 16th century, Europe was predominantly Christian, which means that they were very traditional. During this time, the head of a marriage was the man because he ultimately was the breadwinner of the family. Due to this, women were seen as servants or objects to their spouse and in Kate’s speech she supports this view when she depicts women as needing to bow down to their husband as if they were a lord. Also the fact that Petruchio and the other husbands agreed to have a bet to show who has the best wife, shows that men only married women in order to pleasure themselves. In her speech, Katharine is very anti-feminist because not only does she imply that women are lower than men but she also calls women weak. In the beginning of the play Kate appeared to be a very strong women because she stood up to society's expectations and she recognized that, saying, “my mind hath once been as big as one of yours,/ My heart as great, my reason haply more,/ To bandy word for word and frown for frown” (V.ii.86). However, after her taming she advises that women should change their personalities in order to fit their gentle exterior. Kate believes that once women do that and accept their role as wives they will become happier because they will be able to serve their husbands, which gives them the satisfaction that they need in life.
I briefly discussed the influence of the time period in my blog as well, but I really enjoyed your elaboration. In order to further your analysis, I think you could talk about Kate's change throughout the novel. At the beginning, she did not fit in with these views at the time, and voiced her opinion which was rare for a women to have the courage to do. By the end of the novel, she does, as you say, fit in with the common views of the time period involving women.
DeleteI agree in your point made by stating that Shakespeare is reflecting societies views in the 18th century, as I also agree with Katherine's abrupt change of behavior. However, I would add how this fits to the theme of irony and comedy, since present day readers have another way of viewing feminism compared to the 1700's.
DeleteI agree with your analysis of the quote definitely and that its also kind of sad that her new view is that its better to fit in then go against the norm of her culture and a question I bring up is that has society changed that much where there isn't a role for women and a role for men that have been engrained in society?
Delete“My falcon now is sharp and passing empty;
ReplyDeleteAnd till she stoop she must not be full-gorged,
For then she never looks upon the lure.” (Act 4, page 58)
In this scene, an extended metaphor is used throughout the passage to display Petruchio’s cruel method of “taming” Katharine. She is referred to by him as a Falcon, and Petruchio is taming her in the same way one tames a falcon. In falconry, falcons are supposed to be tired and blind, so they are easier to train, and Petruchio doesn’t let her eat or sleep, all so she’ll “look upon the lure” or do as he commands. Katharine’s husband is treating her like an animal, and since he controls everything in this situation, Katharine is helpless to fight against it. Petruchio holds all the power, and even goes as far as blackmailing her into agreeing to everything he says, “Now by moon, or star, or what I list;/ Or ere I journey to your father’s house./ Go on, and fetch our horses back again./ Evermore cross’d and cross’d and cross’d; nothing but cross’d!” (page 73) Petruchio, comments on the brightness of the moon, despite it being the sun, and then blackmails Katharine into admitting the same, by threatening to keep her from her father. Further into the scene, Katharine is also forced to call Vincentio a woman at Petruchio’s encouragement, before he proceeds to call her mad for doing so. There is nothing Katharine can do now without Petruchio’s consent, not eat, not sleep, and not even speak her true mind, lest she face punishment. Katharine is not being “tamed”, but rather broken at the hands of an abusive manipulator, who she once thought loved her. She who was once a strong, outspoken, intelligent, and confident woman, is broken down to a shell of her former self, and reduced to becoming a pretty mouthpiece for Petruchio.
ReplyDeleteKATH: To wound thy lord, thy king, thy governor.
It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads,
Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds,
And in no sense is meet or amiable (V.ii.86).
William Shakespeare displays the change in Katherine’s personality through irony throughout the play. At the beginning of the play, Katherine was the independent and loud women who men feared marrying. However, by the end it is evident that Petruchio’s “taming” of her has worked and forced her to change. Katherine gives this speech to the two other wives, due to the command by Petruchio to do so. This is an example of irony, because in the beginning of the novel it is evident that Bianca was the more valued and obedient daughter and wife. This speech made by Katherine also displays the view on women during this time period. Women were to treat men as if they are of more importance. In this excerpt from the speech, Katherine refers to a husband as both the lord, king, and governor, displaying their importance over women in society. Shakespeare also writes, “Such duty as the subject owes the prince,/ Even such a woman oweth her husband” (V.ii.164-165). This demonstrates Shakespeare's view on women as this time, due to his use of a simile. He compares the loyalty of peasants and of a wife to their husband to be equivalent. Katherine’s change of personality is also present when Petruchio says, “Why, there’s a wench! Come on and kiss me, Kate” (V.ii.189). Earlier in the play, Petruchio gives her a similar command and she refuses due to the fact that she hates kissing. However, at this point following the “taming” she does so without any refusal. That displays the change in her argumentative attitude.
I agree with you that Kate definitely does become "tamed " by the end of the play and that this is her change in personality. However, I had not picked up on the fact that all the irony Shakespeare uses is an indication of this change in personality or "taming". I thought that you provided great textual examples to support your claim about the changing of Kate's personality. I also feel that the amount of sarcasm that Kate uses throughout the play is also a good indicator of how "tamed" she is. Good job!
DeleteBianca : "Fie! What a foolish duty call you this?"
ReplyDeleteLucentio : "I would your duty were as foolish too./ The wisdom of your duty, fair Bianca,/ hath cost me one hundred crowns since suppertime " (V, ii, 135-138)
Here , in this instance Lucentio is stating his opinion about how he feels that what Bianca is being called on to do (her "duty call") is truly meaningful and that her thinking that it wasn't was unwise. Lucentio saying "I would your duty were as foolish too." which means that as I stated earlier Lucentio sees Bianca's view as foolish as she believes her "duty call" is. Shakespeare's use of a simile here gives a convoluted twist on the dialog while also conveying the thoughts of Lucentio. As in my previous blog post this excerpt shows that Shakespeare does not use overly complicated or cumbersome sentences for no reason; he does it in order to "kill two birds in one stone" in a sense. He is conveying the literal thoughts and actions of the characters in the play, while also adding a layer of style or wittiness that makes the reader think more than they normally would had Shakespeare been more direct with the dialogue. The complicated dialogue and oddly structured sentences that one may need to read over twice in order to understand make the play what it is and in general are what give Shakespeare's writing such a unique style. Such complicated dialogue, as previously mentioned, may take several read-throughs in order to retain full comprehension, this is why many people when first reading Shakespeare become discouraged, like I did.
LUCENTIO
ReplyDeleteLove wrought these miracles. Bianca’s love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
While he did bear my countenance in the town,
And happily I have arrivèd at the last
Unto the wishèd haven of my bliss.
What Tranio did, myself enforced him to.
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake. (V.ii.107-113)
A little before this quote the real Vincentio is called an imposter and believes his son Lucentio to be dead and believes that Tranio has murdered him. Lucentio and Bianca come back after eloping and he is trying to explain the situation to his father who is surprisingly forgiving. In the first line of the quote Lucentio seems to be using love as an excuse for all the lying and deceit and because it's out of his love for Bianca. Lucentio has been characterized as someone who falls easily but also impulsive in his decisions because he really doesn’t know Bianca very well at all and even as he was getting to know her he was disguised as Cambio. Lucentio is also a cliche and a bit cheesy similar to other characters created by Shakespeare when he says “ the wished haven of my bliss” he is comparing Bianca and his relationship as heaven or some type of utopia.
I previously had not considered your idea that Shakespeare tries to show that Lucentio is someone that was quite impulsive and did not think his actions through. However, after reading your analysis I can see that this is indeed true. Another example of Lucentio's impulsivity is in Act 3 scene 1 when he attempts to disguise himself as Bianca's tutor; which while working itself out was likely not the best thing that he could have done at that time. Good analysis, what I might add however, is that Lucentio is also quite determined as he will do whatever it takes to make Bianca fall in love with him as previously exemplified by the tutor disguise.
Delete