LORD: “Some one be ready with a costly suit, And ask him what apparel he will wear; Another tell him of his hounds and horse, And that his lady mourns at his disease: Persuade him that he hath been lunatic; And when he says he is, say that he dreams, For he is nothing but a mighty lord” (Induction.1.55-61).
This passage takes place after Lord finds Christopher Sly, a vagrant, who has fallen asleep drunk outside. Lord has a plan to play a trick on this poor sleeping man. He has decided to bring Sly into his home, and convince him that he is a lord himself. The best actors have been chosen to play a part in this trick. Lord’s plan is to completely convince Sly that he really is a lord, and has been insane for the past 15 years. In order to persuade Sly, Lord wants to wake him by offering him expensive clothing, and “reminding” him of the numerous dogs and horses he owns. He also wants to convince him that he has a wife, who has been worried for his health. Lord will tell Sly his “illness” has caused him to go a bit crazy, which is why he thinks he is only a poor vagrant. To convey this, Shakespeare repeatedly mentioned the luxuries of the upper class lifestyle. A costly suit for example, is something the lower class does not normally wear or own. He also writes about hounds and horses, which can both be associated with living among the upper class. Shakespeare’s use of these expensive words helps to convey the intentions of Lord. Lord plans on convincing this poor man that he really isn’t poor, and has just been ill. This is a cruel trick, because when Sly finds out that this is not reality, and it has been all a trick, he will not be happy with Lord and his people. This passage is very important to the rest of the play because the whole play is based upon this trick. The induction focuses on the actual trick itself, and the convincing of Sly. After this, Sly watches a play in his luxurious new home, which sets the scene for the rest of the book.
First of all, great analysis! I absolutely agree that Shakespeare used very luxurious words to portray the life new-found fancy lifestyle that Sly will soon (falsely) enjoy. The words such as "mighty lord," "costly suit," and "hounds and horses" provide very strong visual imagery to the text, which both furthers the deception for Sly and helps the reader's understanding of the story. Another passage that also supports this theme of deception is from a few pages later in the book when the First Servingman says, "All till the tears that she hath shed for thee... and yet she is inferior to none" (Ind. 2. 63-67). In this passage, the Servingman is telling Sly about his wonderful, and fake, wife. Again, Shakespeare uses very elegant diction to portray Sly's now luxurious lifestyle.
At the beginning of the Induction of the play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, Christophero Sly is portrayed as a mean-spirited character through his negative diction and harsh words directed at the hostess of an alehouse. Sly says, “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!” (Ind. 1. 3-6). Characters traits are generally revealed towards the beginning of a story, and this play is no exception to that trend. Sly uses very coarse, insulting terms when speaking to this hostess including: “baggage” and “Sessa (scram)”. These are some of the first words that the reader (or audience member) hears from Sly, and this certainly makes a poor first impression with regards to his personality. In this passage, Shakespeare foreshadows the substandard treatment of women, which is a theme present throughout the play. A few lines later, Sly gives spits more foul-spirited language toward the hostess as he says, “I’ll not budge an inch, boy” (Ind. 1. 14). Boy, in Shakespearean language, is a slang term for wretch (a poor or unfortunate person). This is yet another personal attack thrown out by Sly in this first page of text. Overall, Sly’s very harsh words echo the unnecessarily malicious diction used by Katherina, The Shrew. This speaks to the grander theme of the purpose of the induction. Sly’s mistreatment of women and similarity in personality to Kate seem to suggest that the induction is used to introduce future themes in the play and loosely echo the plot as a whole.
Another example from the text that would also support your analysis is when Sly says, "I'll pheeze you, in faith" (Induction. 1. 1). This is a threat from Sly to the hostess. He is telling her that he swears he will beat her up. I think this also supports your analysis because here Sly is using negative, foul language towards the hostess. His language really tells your something about Sly as a character. Along with what you said, Sly's characteristics are revealed at the beginning of the story. In this case, the first line of the induction shows Sly's hatred and anger towards the hostess. This also supports Sly's mistreatment of women, adding to your analysis of the induction's purpose of introducing the many themes of the play.
We both think that Shakespeare uses diction and harsh words in the introduction to portray Christopher sly as a mean character. However, I also feel like Shakespeare set him up to be like this so the reader would be less sympathetic towards him when Lord took advantage of him on the streets. I feel as if this sets up the rest of the play to be a sense of karma for Sly. As if he had never refused to pay the hostess back for the glass he had broken, none of this would have happened. Shakespeare also sets him up as a drunken, poor, beggar which gives him even less value to the Lord, almost making it okay for him to do this to him. Nice analysis, thanks for posting!
LORD: “O monstrous beast!how like a swine he lies!Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.What think you, if he were convey’d to bed, wrapp’d in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?”(Introduction 1.22-29). The introduction begins with a drunk beggar by the name of Sly refusing to pay for the glass he has broken. As refusing to pay for this broken glas, the hostess takes matters into her own hands while trying to find the authorities.On her quest for the authorities, Sly passes out on the street. When passed by a Lord, he begins to have a bit of fun with the beggar, by bringing him back to his palace, giving him the allusion that he is rich.The passage is a very strong allusion as to how the less-fortunate is treated in everyday life. They are looked down on, and also messed with because they are seen as helpless. The Lord takes advantage of this beggar solely for his own amusement. Sly had done nothing to him, yet he feels the need to experiment with him. How I do wonder if the beggar will indeed be deceived and be in the same thinking as the Lord is now after being in a light of money.
I agree with your analysis 100%. It is very unfortunate that Sly had to experience this. Just because he is a beggar, it gives no right for the Lord to mess with him like that. Some ideas that you could have added to your analysis would be visual imagery, simile, and filthy and animal diction.
LORD: “O monstrous beast, how like swine he lies! Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image! Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man. What think you, if he convey’d to bed, Wrapp’d in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes- Would the beggar not forget himself?” (Introduction 30-37).
In this passage, the Lord is describing his plans to fool a drunkard, Christopher Sly, into believing that he is the Lord of 15 years. The introduction of “The Taming of the Shrew”, by WIlliam Shakespeare, uses negative and luxurious diction to illustrate the separation and inequalities of the classes. In the Lord’s description of the plan, he uses negative diction to show his disgust towards Sly. Through the words “beast”, “swine”, and “fowl” the Lord characterizes Sly as cheap and appalling. The Lord’s characteristization of Sly implies his view of the lower classes is one of less importance and is almost dehumanizing. This direction is contradictory to the luxurious diction used to show the glamorous life of the Lord. The Lord’s diction is much more sophisticated and proper than sly’s showing his wealth. Words such as “delicious” and “sweet” show how his life is much more simpler and one of less struggles. In the last line of this passage, the lord claims that his plan will work and Sly will not have a choice but to believe. His contrasting diction supports his plan because if given a choice humans will always pick the more luxurious lifestyle and gladly forget the other lifestyles. This is supported by the juxtaposition that the contrasting diction makes to emphasize the wealth disparity in between the classes.
In the Induction of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, he writes about Christopher Sly, a drunken beggar, and a wealthy and mischievous Lord who pulls a prank on Sly. The Lord and his servants devised a plan and pretends that Sly is actually a lord instead of a beggar. Shakespeare uses dirty diction and visual imagery to compare Sly to a beast and full of filth and grime. When Sly falls asleep in front of the alehouse, the Lord and his followers notices him and the Lord says “O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! / Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!” (34-35). Shakespeare describes Sly as beast-like, monstrous, and have a foul image. This detailed visual imagery allow readers to interpret Sly’s appearance, which might I add sounds unpleasant and gruesome. Then later on the Lord thinks up a scenario where Sly wakes up and finds himself dressed in fine clothes and jewelries and well dressed attendants that surrounds him, “What think you if he were conveyed to bed, / Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, / A most delicious banquet by his bed, / And brace attendants near him when he wakes” (37-40). In lines 34-40, there is a huge difference between social classes. At one point Shakespeare is talking about filth and a monstrous beast to describe a lower class person, and then he is talking about this lavish and extravagant lifestyle of the upper class.
Hortensio: Gremio, ‘tis now no time to vent our love. Listen to me, and if you speak me fair, I’ll tell you news indifferent good for either. Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met, Upon agreement from us to his liking, Will undertake to woo curst Katherine, Yea, and to marry her dowry please. In this passage, William Shakespeare portrays Hortensio as cunning upon his convincing of Petruchio to become a suitor to Kate. After this, Hortensio explains, here, his plan to Gremio. Basically, Hortensio tells him that he found a random guy (“whom by chance I met”) and that they need to pay him (“upon agreement from us to his liking”) to “woo curst Katherine.” This is quite an intelligent plan that Hortensio conjures up, especially considering that he made it on the spot in a relatively short amount of time. This makes Hortensio out to be a smarter than average character, and it simultaneously explains how much he wants to wed Kate. The fact that Hortensio, and Gremio when he agrees to the plan in the subsequent lines, are willing to pay for Petruchio to “woo curst Katherine” just for a shot at marrying Bianca suggested a few things to me. First of all, this suggests that both Hortensio and Gremio are fairly wealthy individuals. This fits a trend in Shakespeare’s works, which in general deal with higher class citizens (kings, queens, princesses, dukes, etc.). In addition, that Hortensio and Gremio are willing to pay suggests that they both have an extraordinarily high desire to marry Kate (not very many guys would go to so much trouble). This fits another very common theme present in shakespearean works: “love at first sight.” This theme comes up in many of Shakespeare’s plays including Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night, and, of course, it has been copied an uncountable amount of times since then in many forms.
I completely agree with your analysis. When I read this too, I inferred that Hortensio and Gremio were both wealthy characters. The fact that they are going to pay Pertruchio so that they can marry Bianca really shows this. This seems to also fit in with Shakespeare's use of higher class characters like you mentioned, along with the characters in the side story of this play. Lord is a very wealthy character, who has enough money to trick Sly into being a lord and treat him as a lord. Although Sly is a low class individual, I think it is common for Shakespeare to incorporate the differences between the higher and lower classes in his work. I had not noticed the reoccurrence of love at first sight in Shakespeare's work like you mentioned in your analysis. I found this very interesting because this is definitely another example of that. These two men do not know Bianca that well, but will do whatever it takes to be her husband. That is exactly love at first sight.
First Servant: My lord, you nod. You do not mind the play. Sly: Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely. Comes there any more of it? Page: My lord, ‘tis but begun. Sly: ‘Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady. Would ‘twere done. (I. i. 242-246).
This passage is a conversation between the spectators of this play. Sly begins to fall asleep during the play, and is not paying complete attention to it. One of the servants wake him up, in order to make sure he is paying attention and enjoying the play. Sly responds to this by telling the servant he does in fact like the play, but asks if it is over. His questioning of whether or not the play was over shows how Sly really was not enjoying the play. He found it boring, and payed little attention to it. This is also shown through the fact he was sleeping during part of the play. Next Page tells him it is only beginning and Sly says although it is excellent, he wishes it was over. Again, it can be seen that Sly is not at all interested in this play, and wished it was over. His disinterest and lack of enjoyment shows the differences in the lifestyles of the upper and lower classes. Sly is used to the lower class lifestyle. It is likely he did not watch plays as a form of entertainment before becoming, or tricked into becoming, a lord. He probably spent most of his time on the streets or in taverns. During this time, plays were a normal form of entertainment for the higher classes. Lord is most likely used to watching plays, and finds them enjoyable. Now that Sly is being tricked into being a lord, he is not used to the social norms, nor the lifestyle of someone in the higher class. This passage is very important to the rest of the play because it emphasizes the differences in the class system which is a big part of the play.
Great analysis! You brought up many points that, upon reading, I certainly agree with. Like you, I noticed stark differences between the classes throughout the play, and in particular with Sly. Here, he is simply not used to watching plays like the Lord and his compatriots. I definitely agree that class is a big theme throughout this play, as well as many of Shakespeare's other plays. Another instance of the class differences regarding Sly comes in the induction when Sly asks for cheap liquor instead of the fancy kind presented to him by some of the Lord's servants. Shakespeare seems to suggest that the classes simply want to stay in the class they were born into (high class stays high; low class stays low), since even when Sly is presented with nicer things, he still craves what he had before.
I agree with the idea that Sly is bored with the play and hadn’t wanted to watch it because that’s not what he was used to since he was a beggar. Since he is not interested in the play, do you think that Sly is starting to realize that maybe he has been tricked? Or maybe since the servants had constantly reminded him that he had only thought that he was a beggar for 15 years, that he might try to be a beggar? He constantly thinks about it and isn’t accustomed to the life he is living right now. Maybe Sly will think that he would be happier as a beggar and was really supposed to be one and leave the life of being a “lord” to go back to being a beggar. I feel like he won’t ever adjust to being an upper class citizen and will always feel in the back of his mind that something is missing. Great analysis, thanks for posting!
Gremio:[Aside] to cart her rather: she’s too rough for me.There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife? Katherine: I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates? Hortensio: Mates, maid!how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould. Katherine: I’ faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: I wis it is not halfway to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be to comb your noddle with a three-legg’d stool And paint your face and use you like a fool. Hortensio: From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!
In the play Taming of the Shrew, Act 1, Shakespeare uses profanity and conflict, to convey the struggle it will be to find the shrew a man willing to marry her. First off, a shrew is a woman is poorly tempered, assertive, and aggressive.Shakespeare uses profanity to portray her as an aggressive woman when she says, “To comb your noddle with a three-legg’d stool And paint your face and use you like a fool” .The way that Katherine speaks about this man is enough to tell she is not a very sweet woman. It shows how aggressive she is when she talks about painting his face to make him look like a fool. It also shows a sign of defensiveness in her personality. This scene also addresses the conflict in the play in my opinion. We have strayed away from the induction to a new conflict being to find Katherine a husband before her younger sister Bianca. As I had said earlier, a shrew is a very aggressive woman being that is katherine. In this scene, Lucentio realizes that he has fallen in love with Bianca. He can not do anything about this situation until Katherine is married however. Katherine being a shrew is very unattractive to men, and they know it will be a struggle to find her someone. That’s where the title comes in. Taming the shrew, making her more appealing, making her marriageable will be the taming. Calming her to a point that a man will want to marry her.
First of all, I really enjoyed your analysis of this passage. To add to it, I think that Shakespeare uses such strong, bombastic, Donald Trump-esque language to portray just how "awful" Katherine must be. Of course I do not think that any woman should every be made to conform to a man's wishes, but Shakespeare certainly is able to portray this through more than just action. His use of alliteration, especially in "Mates, maid! How mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould" (I. ii. 13) allows for each word to take on greater meaning. With the repeated "m" sounds, Shakespeare's diction takes on a smoother approach to succinctly and concisely get across just how shrewish Katherine must be.
ACT I “Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave, To see my friends in Padua, but of all My best belovèd and approvèd friend, Hortensio. And I trow this is his house. Here, sirrah Grumio. Knock, I say. Gru. Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any man has rebused your Worship? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly. Gru. Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir? Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate. Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock you first, And then I know after who comes by the worst. Pet. Will it not be? Faith, sirrah, an you’ll not knock, I’ll ring it. I’ll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it” (I. ii. 18-19).
This conversation, taken from Scene 2 of Act 1, occurring between Petruchio and his servant Grumio, depicts a humorous line of puns to add to the characterization of both. As Petruchio and Grumio arrive at the door of Hortensio, Petruchio orders his servant to “knock me here”. Obliviously misunderstanding what his master is telling him to do, Grumio refuses to “knock him there”, thinking that Petruchio means for him to hit him. Shakespeare’s use of the play on the word “knock” adds to the humor and “slapsticky” qualities of The Taming of the Shrew. While reading this, I can’t help but think of the King of Slapstick comedy, Charlie Chaplin, and his archetypal misunderstandings of a play on words. Additionally, this particular excerpt allows the reader to dip his or her toes into the onslaught of puns and wordplay that Shakespeare uses in this play for the purpose of maintaining a light, comedic tone. This selection also highlights the divide between master and servant. While Petruchio refers to Grumio as “sirrah” and “villain”, Grumio refers to Petruchio as “sir” and “master”. The brief exchange of dialogue between these two characters shows just how much difference there is between the upper and lower and classes. For example, as Petruchio means “knock me here” to say “knock on the door”, Grumio interprets it as “hit me”. Maybe this is an intellectual divide due to a variance in access to education within the classes, or perhaps Grumio just has a better sense of humor. Nonetheless, this altercation between two characters reveals more to the themes of classism, and Shakespeare’s use of puns and double entendres for comedic relief.
“GERMIO To cart her rather! She’s too rough for me. There, there Hortensio, will you any wife? KATHERINE (To Baptista) I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale out of me amongst these mates? HORTENSIO ‘Mates’ maid? How mean you that? No mates for you Unless you were of gentler, milder mould,” (I.i.55-60).
In this passage, Shakespeare uses archaic diction is used to give the effect of pity for Katherine while demonstrating gender inequality and social hierarchy. Gremio and Hortensio are two suitors for Katherine's younger sister, Bianca. Both men already have an abundance of wealth, making them arrogant and self-important. While both men admired Bianca, they are unable to marry her until Katherine is married, therefore Baptista is trying to find potential suitors for Katherine. Through the use of the word ‘cart’, is is apparent that Gremio and Hortensio are unimpressed with Katherine as a possible wife. The word cart refers to the Elizabethan practice of tying up prostitutes and whipping them as they are carted around town. This allusion shows the gender inequality in this time period and play. Gender inequality is also seen through the use of the word ‘Stale’. Stale in this context means a laughing stock or prostitute. Katherine sees her father trying to sell her almost and embarrassing and degrading. This also shows the social pressure and standards of marriage. During this time, wives were almost property, when ‘investing’ in a wife, people looked for obedient women from rich homes. If women did not fit these standards, they were frowned upon. Katherine’s rebellious attitude and actions towards societies standards of women illuminated the social hierarchy.
Act 2 Scene 1 Gremio: Good morrow, neighbour Baptista. Baptista: Good morrow, neighbour Gremio. God save you, gentlemen! Petruchio: And you, good sir; Pray, have you not a daughter call’d Katharina, fair and virtuous? Baptista: I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina. Gremio: You are too blunt: go to it orderly. Petruchio: You wrong me, Signor Gremio: give me leave. I am a gentlemen of Verona, sir, That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, Her affability and bashful modesty, Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour…
This scene consists of a conversation between Gremio, Baptista, and Petruchio on the subject of Katharina. Petruchio has the motive of marrying the daughter of a rich man after the death of his father. Giving him fair warning in the last scene about Katherine’s horrid attitude, he decides to pursue her, being the only thing he cares about if money. As Petruchio takes to Baptista, he mentions the qualities of katherine he likes, ignoring the negative things that people have said about her. As talked about in class, women are seen as more of a sexual aspect rather than what they really are. Men have a certain image they want to see in their woman and if they aren’t attractive or of possession of money, they won’t care for them (this is not all men, this is not a feminist post). Shakespeare really shows this by having Petruchio look past her bad qualities because of the money that she possesses. If Baptista didn’t have the money that he does, Petruchio wouldn’t want anything to do with Katherine. We also see that she isn’t seen for her true self by the way that he describes her. All he has to say about her qualities is about her beauty and her mild behaviour. She is attractive, so he thinks that he will be able to deal with her. He also mentions her mild behavior. I noticed he says “mild” almost in a way that he may be able to control or that she could change to fit the image of a woman he has in his head. He never once mentioned anything good about her personality.
Your analysis is quite insightful! I absolutely agree with the points you brought up about the women in the novel. Shakespeare's portrayal of men's views of women is certainly in stark contrast with the views of today. I agree with you that at this point, Petruchio is only in it for the money. However, one thing I would add is that the other suitors to Bianca pay Petruchio for his wooing of Kate just to have a chance to marry Bianca. This really ties into your main point of men only wanting the "attractive" girl. They are willing to pay just for a chance at her. It also reflects Petruchio's desire for wealth.
In Act 2 of The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare characterizes Katherine and Petruchio through their sexual banter. There are many potential suitors for Katherine’s sister Bianca, but there is only one for Katherine, Petruchio, who sees his courtship as a challenge to ‘tame’ her. Katherine tries to avoid Petruchio’s advancements throughout the scene. Throughout the scene, Katherine and Petruchio have an exchange of witty insults, “K: What is your crest-a coxcomb?/ P: A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen./ K: No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven,” (II.i. 222-224). Katherine began this particular banter by insulting his family crest. She referred to it as a ‘coxcomb’, which is a fool’s cap typically worn by jesters and resembles a cock. Petruchio answered to the insult by offering Katherine his Comb(cock) with the promise that she would be his hen. This brings their conversation back to the idea of marriage. This banter shows Petruchio’s persistence and quick wit. His goal is to ‘tame’ Katherine and he takes everything thrown at him and turns it into a sexual innuendo. Katherine on the other hand is just trying to avoid Petruchio’s invitations. She does this by throwing insults at him. She is not afraid to do this, not only to Petruchio but all men, especially because when she feels that she isn’t being treated respectfully. She also insults him after one of Petruchio’s many invitations. On line 224, she insults his manhood by saying “ You crow too like a craven,”. By saying this she insinuates that he has competency issues. Through their repartee, Shakespeare characterizes both Katherine and Petruchio as individuals and as a partnership.
I find your analysis to be very interesting, and I agree with it. I also think Shakespeare's intentions were to portray Katherine and Petruchio as individuals and as a partnership. Despite Katherine rejecting all of his comments and advancements, Petruchio did well when reacting fst. He had comebacks for all her insults. This eventually led him to his final statement that he would marry Katherine that Sunday. Baptista originally told him that he must win Katherine's love before marrying. Pertuchio hid the fact Katherine was indifferent towards him, by covering up all of her insults, and making them seem to go along with his plan. This can be seen at the end of their banter.
Baptista: Content you, gentlemen. I will compound this strife. ‘Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both That can assume my daughter greater dower Shall have my Bianca’s love. Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her? (II. i. 337-341).
This passage occurs after Petruchio has a plan of marrying Katherine the upcoming Sunday. Now that Katherine will be married, her sister Bianca is now available to be married. She has many suitors who are willing to do anything for Bianca’s love. Tranio and Gremio are fighting over who they think deserves Bianca and who wants her more when Baptista says this passage. Here he is saying that he will make the decision of who will marry his daughter. His decision will be based on who can promise the largest dower for his daughter. He wants his daughter to marry the man who will offer her the most. This shows how Baptista sees marriage as more of an investment rather than love. Baptista does not care about who really loves her the most, but just who he and his daughter will benefit the most from. He just cares about money and land. This passage is very important to show the difference in both the location and time period. This is a time and place of arranged marriage, which many agree with, but many also disagree with. This example shows the negative side of these types of marriages. Bianca does not get to decide whether she loves Gremio or Tranio more. Her father is choosing for her, but not based on love, based on money and land. Along with this, it can be seen that Baptista is a greedy man. Although he is looking for money for his daughter not himself, if his daughter is taken care of then he won’t have to take care of her with his money.
Great analysis. I agree with you that Baptista is only looking to see who has more to offer his daughter instead of who really in truly loves his daughter more. I think this fits with my analysis as well because men are more focused on what will be more beneficial to them. For example, Petruchio only wants to marry Katherine because her father has a lot of money. Baptista wants Bianca to marry a man who will have a lot of money instead of who loves her.I feel like this might be one of the morals in the play that instead of looking for someone who has something materialistic to give you, you should love for someone who cares about you on a deeper level.
Petruchio: Alas, good kate, I will not burden thee, For, knowing thee to be but young and light- Kate: Too light for such a swain as you to catch And yet as heavy as my weight should be. Petruchio: Should be! Should - buzz! Kate: Well ta’en, and like a buzzard. Petruchio: O slow-winged turtle, shall a buzzard take thee? Kate: Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard. Petruchio, Come, come, you wasp, i’ faith you are too angry, Kate: If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Shakespeare creates a humorous mood by using an extended metaphor and some playful banter between Kate and Petruchio throughout this passage. The extended pun is carried out through the multiple uses of the words buzz and buzzard. Buzzing, the sound insects make, leads Kate to remark that Petruchio is “like a buzzard.” When she uses buzzard here, she referring to an untrainable bird of prey; she is basically calling him stupid and unable to learn (this is just one of the many insults hurled out by Kate in this play and particularly in this act). “Buzzard” can also mean an insect, which leads to the following piece of the conversation when Petruchio uses a metaphor to compare Kate to a wasp. All of this contributes to the light-hearted, funny mood, which Shakespeare portrays here; this fits because Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's comedies.
In this scene, Kate attempts to be very mean and spiteful towards Petruchio, just as she acts in the rest of the play. However, particularly in this passage, she comes off as more playful and jesting than wicked. Most people, when attempting to insult someone or push them aside are fairly quick and to the point. It is not very natural of someone of Kate’s nature to sort of joke around and make up puns as she does here. This suggest a small change in her character at this point in the play. Kate seems to be enjoying herself, and her spirit seems much brighter than in Act One. A likely reason for this change is that because of her “shrewness,” no one has ever really like her before. She is enjoying this new time.
In Act II, there is a scene where Shakespeare portrays Katharina as someone who is helpless and somewhat forlorn. Katharina’s dad, Baptista, asks Petruchio, a wealthy bachelor who wants to marry Katharina, how his conversation with his daughter is going. In reply Petruchio lies to Baptista and says “How but well, sir? How but well? / It were impossible I should speed amiss” (2.1 275-276). Petruchio told Baptista that things are going beautifully, and this situation could not have turned out any better than this. Of course, Katharina the shrew went off on her father because he agreed to marry her off to a maniac by saying “Call you me daughter? now, I promise you / You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, / To wish me wed to one half lunatic” (2.1 278-280). Petruchio, not bothered by all of Katharina’s objections, goes on with his lies and tells Baptista and everyone that Kate is unlike what everyone thinks she is - Kate is gentle as a dove, patient, and modest, “For she’s not froward but modest as the dove. / She is not hot but temperate as the morn; / For patience she will prove a second Grissel / And Roman Lucrece for her chastity” (2.1 283-289). Petruchio told everyone present that Kate has agreed to marry him. Even though she did not agree to this marriage, she did not respond with a protest or any more complaints as well. Katharina’s silence could be seen as her giving up and surrendering in a way. Or, since she knows that her father and Petruchio made a deal about the marriage, she really has nothing left to say. The situation that she is in right now makes readers feel sorry and pity towards her because it seems as if her father is trying to marry her off to someone as soon as possible. By marrying her off to a total stranger, the readers and Katherina as well, look at it as if Baptista is trying to get rid of her as fast as he can.
Petruchio: They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.--- Obey the bride, you that attend on her. Go to the feast, reveal the domineer, Carouse full measure to her maidenhead, Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves. But for my bonny Kate, she must with me. Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret; I will be master of what is mine own. (III. ii. 217-24)
Throughout this play, there are several examples of the different social statuses of men and women. Shakespeare portrays the male characters in this play as more dominant than the women. This passage is one of the many examples of this theme of male dominance. This passage is said by Petruchio, towards his wedding guests. Petruchio is telling his guests to go enjoy the feast and party without him and his new wife. He says this shortly after telling his guests that he needs to leave right away. No one knows his reasoning for leaving, but he is adamant that he must leave then, and has no time to waste. Katherine, his new wife, asks if he will stay for her, and if he loved her he would stay. He responds by telling her he will not leave. Later, he goes on to say that she must go with him. Shakespeare writes, “But for my bonny Kate, she must with me” (222). This is Petruchio’s command that Kate is to join him on his departure. Due to a feeling of superiority inside Petruchio, he feels he can boss Kate around. He does not allow her to make her own decisions, because he is in charge. He later refers to Katherine as an item. Shakespeare writes, “I will be master of what is mine own” (224). Here Petruchio claims Katherine is his property, and he has the right to be in charge of her. He sees himself as the “master” of Katherine, which supports the theme of male dominance throughout the play.
Great post! I certainly agree with the contrast you brought up between male and female characters. I, too, saw this quote as portraying this theme, among the many others throughout the play that do this same thing. I thought here that this quote was a sort of "sign of the times" in that it shows how different and specific the gender roles were in Shakespeare's time. This was a normal way of thinking in the 1500's. What I found interesting in this passage was Petruchio's repetition of "nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret," which really emphasizes his possessive feelings towards Kate.
Biondello: Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin; a pair of old breeches thrice turned; a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en out of the town armory, with a broken hilt and chapeless; with two broken points; his horse hipped (with an old mothy saddle and stirrups or… (3.2.43-49)
Shakespeare makes a point here to show how execrable Petruchio’s appearance is for his wedding day. The passage explains how he is practically dressed in rags, with many old, run down articles of clothing not fit for him at such a time. This seems to suggest that Petruchio is unconcerned with wedding and that he is, in general, an apathetic person. This is backed up later in the scene when Petruchio swears multiple times during the ceremony and hits the priest. Now, nobody would be so foolish as to commit these strange, atrocious acts without an ulterior motive. The fact that he acts so strangely sort of foreshadows some sort of big occasion in the future. This is most likely why he runs off so hastily with Kate upon the completion of the ceremony.
Much visual imagery is present in this piece, which further adds to the shock and humor of the wild events. Biondello’s account includes words such as “candle-cases,” “mothy saddle,” and “old jerkin” (words you could only find in a Shakespearean text, or course). These strange terms, in short, sum up the atrocious outfit that Petruchio wears in this scene. They provide insight into the clothing people wore at the time, or rather should not wear, and set the scene for the reader (or audience member when acted out). This speech has a sort of interesting effect of the reader in that it would seem that Biondello makes use a hyperbole in his extreme account of Petruchio, but in fact everything he says turns out to be true, which adds a humorous element to the play.
Great analysis! I had not thought of it this way. I like how you said Petruchio is an apathetic person, which can be seen throughout this play. Like you mentioned, his swearing at the wedding supports this idea. Petruchio seems to be very careless when it comes to the wedding. First of all, he was running late to his very own wedding. This shows how little this wedding meant to him, and it caused his bride to question his love for her. Being late to your own wedding is very unacceptable today, and must have been back then as well, at least for most people. I found it very interesting you connected Petruchio's strange behavior to him running off with Kate soon after. I had not thought about this, but now I see it and agree with you. Shakespeare wanted to create a sense of suspicion in the reader. The fact that Petruchio says he needs to get out of there soon might foreshadow that he did something wrong earlier in the day, and needs to go into hiding. This is similar to your analysis of the event.
Petruchio and Katharina’s wedding occurs in Act 3, and on this very important day, Petruchio made a great effort to make himself look like a complete fool. As a matter of fact, he acted so well that even Bianca says that Katharina has found a fittingly mad mate, “That being mad herself, she’s madly mated” (3.2 244). Petruchio shows up late, but what’s even worse than showing up late to your own wedding is showing up to your wedding looking homeless. His excessive attempt to make his appearance look unpleasant and repulsive is an example of the stereotypes that we hold for people of the upper class. Of course, Baptista is shocked, flabbergasted, and immediately asks him to change into a more fitting attire, “Now sadder that you come so unprovided. / Fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate, / An eyesore to your solemn festival” (3.2 99-101). Baptista also protests that Petruchio’s get-up is a disgrace to a man of such a high social position, but Petruchio refuses to change and says that Katharina isn’t getting married to his clothes. His outlandish behavior does not stop there though, he continues his acting during the wedding ceremony by cursing and hitting the priest. Afterwards, he announces that he and Katharina are not able to join the guests during their wedding reception, “I know you think to dine with me today / And have prepared great store of wedding cheer, / But so it is, my haste doth call me hence / And therefore here I mean to take my leave” (3.2 185-188). Petruchio puts up a wild and an outrageous act because he wants Katharina to experience how difficult and frustrating it is to deal with someone like her, which is pretty much a taste of her own medicine. This act is the kickstart to Petruchio’s “taming” of the shrew.
I agree with your analysis because ours were very similar. We both noticed how Petruchio was unwilling to change even though Baptista said the wedding wouldn’t continue if he didn’t. Also that there was a big change in the social classes. Like how Baptista wanted him to change so he would look like he fit in with the rest of their family I like how you noticed that Petruchio was acting this way to show Kate just how difficult it is to deal with someone like her.I hadn’t noticed that aspect when I read the scene, but it makes sense after the behavior that he displayed during it. Great analysis!
Act 3 Scene 2 Tranio: See not your bride in these unreverent robes: go to my chamber; put on clothes of mine Petruchio: Not I, belive me: thus I’ll visit her. Baptista: But thus, I trust, you will not marry her. Petruchio: Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words: To me she’s married, not unto my clothes: Could I repair what she will wear in me, As I can change these poor accoutrements, T were well for Kate and better for myself. But what a fool am I chat with you, When I should bid good morrow to my bride, And seal the title with a lovely kiss!
In this scene is the banter between Petruchio and Baptista about the cloths that Petruchio has chosen to wear to the wedding. Baptista exclaims that he must change at once or he is not to marry Kate. Shakespeare uses characterization to show the true personality and beliefs or Petruchio. Petruchio doesn’t understand why he must change to be able to marry Kate. he brings up the point that Kate is marrying him, not the clothes that he is wearing. This is also where we see social classes really develop to be a problem. Not only does Baptista want Kate to marry a man that can support her, but she also wants a man that will look nice. He sees Petruchio’s clothes as an embarrassment. He doesn’t want this embarrassment to be in no way involved with Kate or with his family. He wants nothing but riches and a positive look to reflect on his family. This is also where we see that this marriage may not work. petruchio doesn’t care to change clothes even though Baptista wants him too. When Baptista says that he won’t marry Kate unless he changes, he rebels. Petruchio says that he will still visit Kate even if he doesn’t allow the wedding to happen.
Katherine “No shame but mine. I must forsooth, be forc’d To give my hand, oppose’d agaisnt my heart, Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen, who woo’d in haste and means to wed at leisure. I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,” (III.ii.9-19).
In this passage, Katherine talks about her true feelings about marrying Petruchio. Throughout the play, Katherine has been characterized as a shrew, devil and wild, and not has been desired by any suitors. When Petruchio comes and wants to marry her she seems sceptical about Petruchio’s true intentions. On line 11, Katherine alludes to the saying ‘marry in haste and repent at leisure’. Through Katherine’s reference this old phrase, characterizes her as a progressive woman for her time. From the time of the arrangement, to the actual marriage is very quick. She does not want to rush into a marriage, especially if she doesn’t know her future husband well. Along with not wanting to rush into marriage, she specifically does not want to marry Petruchio. From their first encounter of sexual banter, Katherine only sees Petruchio as a jokester. Through the use of the words ‘fool’, ‘rudesby’ and ‘spleen’. These words all give a negative connotation to Petruchio. Along with the negative connotation, rudesby is also archaic. Rudesby means someone who is uncivil and turbulent. With all of these insults it is very apparent that Katherine does not want to marry Petruchio. Another sign that Katherine feels strongly against the wedding is the length of the speech itself. Prior in the play, Katherine has only said short lines which normally consisted of witty insults. This change of diction also shows how progressive she is to communicate feelings against the marriage.
Kate: I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet. The meat was well if you were so contented. Petruchio: I tell thee, Kate, ‘twas burnt and dried away, And I expressly am forbid to touch it, For it engenders choler, planteth anger, And better ‘twere that both of us did fast- Since of ourselves, ourselves are choleric- Than feed it with such overroasted flesh. Be patient. Tomorrow’t shall be mended, And for this night we’ll fast for company. Cone, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. Nathaniel: Peter, didst ever see the like? Peter: He kills her in her own humor (4.1. 162-174). Shakespeare uses this passage to explain how Petruchio “tames the shrew”. Ever since Kate and Petruchio arrived back at his house, he has starved her and repeatedly beaten and berated his servants in front of her. He continually rants about the food being overdone or not up to par. He claims this poorly prepared food makes people angry and produces extra choler (or bile, one of the four “humors” explained and used in the medical theory of Hippocrates). Basically, he claims that eating this food will make one out of balance. Kate, however, claims that the meal is perfectly fine suggesting that Petruchio does not think the meal is overcooked at all. He, instead, is just starving her. Petruchio thinks he can “tame the shrew” by using these tactics (acting mean spirited and not allowing her to eat). In a sense his strategy is to act just like Kate did at the beginning of the story. He throwing all of this back to her to make her realize how awful it is. This where Peter’s, one of Petruchio’s servants, quote comes in, “He kills her with her own humor (4. 1. 174). In this, Peter explains Petruchio’s motive: to use Kate’s naturally spiteful attitude right back at her. In addition, Shakespeare uses a pun on the word humor, which can mean both the humor that Hippocrates wrote of or as used here to mean one’s disposition. This continues the theme of the “humors” that are spoken of throughout this act.
Great analysis Adam! I thought the same things while reading this passage. Petruchio has decided that his "strategy" for taming Katherine will be to treat her just like she treated others in the beginning. He wants to be more of a shrew than her, in order to make her realize her behavior was what made her undesirable, and caused her to be nicknamed "the shrew." Another example from the text to support your analysis is in act 4 scene 3, and is when Petruchio tells the tailor he has lost him as a customer. He does this after seeing Kate's wedding dress tailored. He acts as though he hates it, but Kate responds by saying it is the best designed dress she has seen. She also says to Petruchio she thinks he is making her into a puppet, meaning he does not care about what she wants. This shows how Petruchio is taking control of Kate and acting awful in order to "put her in her place" and show her how she was acting. I think this relates to your analysis because you said Petruchio starving Kate was so that Petruchio could act as awful as Kate, and use her behavior to change her. I also think both of these examples could be Petruchio showing his dominance over Kate. This way she would know that he was in charge, and her shrew-like behavior would no longer be accepted.
Wow Great analysis. I liked how you noticed that when Peter said, “He kills her with her own humor”, that he was talking about using the way Kate treats people as a way to make her see that it’s not right. I think that it is an interesting tactic he uses in hope of trying to open Kate’s eyes up to her own actions. I feel like in this scene, Shakespeare uses characterization and conflict to portray Kate. The was that the Petruchio tries to show Katherine that he doesn’t like how she's acting, shows a lot about his personality. It also shows a lot about Kate’s personality because she doesn’t like the way that Petruchio is treating people even though that’s how she treats people. Maybe Kate just doesn’t realize that she treats people poorly. Thanks for posting!
Petruchio: “Where be those knaves? What, no man at door to hold my stirrup nor to take my horse! Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?” All Servingmen: “Here, here sir! Here, sir!” (IIII. i. 96-99).
The differences between social classes are brought up and revealed repeatedly throughout this play. Shakespeare writes this play in a way to show the superiority of the upper class, and inferiority of the lower class. He does this through diction and language, specifically when showing how the upper class and lower class speak to one and other. This excerpt from Act 4 shows the differences of how the upper class, in this case Petruchio, addresses the lower class, the servingmen, and vice versa. Petruchio speaks to his servants with foul language, calling them “knaves” when asking where his servants were. He is able to call them this because due to social classes and social norms, he is superior to them. Next, Petruchio asks why no one was waiting on him to take off his stirrups and put his horse in the stables. Due to his superior role in the house, Petruchio expects everything to be done for him. He expects his servants to always be there for him, so that he has to do nothing. In this case he found it to be a complete burden for him to remove his own stirrups, as well as put his horse away. Since he is not used to doing these things himself, it made him angry his servants weren’t there. In contrast, the servingmen are unable to stand up for themselves, because if they did they would be punished. After Petruchio gets upset with the servingmen for not helping him when he was home, and asking where they all were, they respond by frantically saying here sir a few times. They also address Petruchio as sir, showing his superiority once again. The servants treat Petruchio as their master, and obey everything he says. Due to the social class system at the time, this was normal, and the right thing for them to do.
Great analysis! I too thought of the classes upon reading this quote and when reading this act as a whole. The divide is very apparent between Petruchio, as the master, and his servants. I Liked your pointing out of the vulgar diction Petruchio uses when referring to the servingmen. This ties into the very negative mood invoked by Petruchio throughout this act as he attempts to "tame the shrew" while being a sort of shrew himself. I also enjoyed your analysis of the word "sir" as used by the servants. It clearly shows the respect that the servingmen have to have for Petruchio. It emphasizes the immense difference between the classes as well; "sir" is very different from "knave"!
Petruchio:Where be the knaves? What, no man at door To hold up my stirrup nor to take my horse! Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Phillip?
All Servants: Here, here sir; here, sir.
Petruchio: Here, sir! here, sir! You logger-headed and unpolish’d grooms! What, no attendance? no regard?no duty? Where is the foolish knave I sent before?
Grumio: Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.
Petruchio: You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge! Did I not bid thee meet me in the park, And bring along these rascals knaves with thee?
Grumio: Nathaniel’s coat, sir was not fully made, And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpink’d i’ the heel: There was no link to colour Peter’s hat, And Walter’s dagger was not come from sheathing: There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory; The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.
Petruchio: Go, rascals, go and fetch my supper in.
In this scene, It is a banter between Petruchio and the rest of the servants. Petruchio is angry that the servants did not meet him and his wife and the door and get everything prepared for his arrival and treats them badly. Kate doesn’t know that the reason Petruchio treats them so badly is so that she sees how bad it is to treat someone else like that. He is trying to show her that it’s not okay to treat people the way she does and wants her to come to a realization that its not okay. I feel like Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in this scene in an attempt to get Kate to change her ways. I think in this scene it also shows the different social classes and how they really have an effect on the play. Like, Petruchio doesn’t treat anyone that has money the way that he treats the servants. He knows that he can get away with treating the servants badly so he does in his attempt to change Kate.
Petruchio: “My falcon is now 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 is, to watch her, as we watch these kites That bate and beat and will not be obedient. She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat; Last night she slept not, nor tonight shall she not,”(IV.i.172-180)
Throughout this play, the idea of ‘taming’ Katherine is heavily repeated and discussed. In this passage, Petruchio uses visual imagery, symbolism and anaphora to discuss his methods of taming Katherine. While never actually mentioned In his monologue, it is assumed that Katherine is subject of his description of his methods of taming. The words ‘her’ and ‘she’ were repeated heavily throughout this passage. They insinuate that the speech is not actually about a falcon and is about Katherine instead. Petruchio describes the many steps that he needs in order to tame his falcon. This shows how thorough and thoughtful he is. Visual imagery is used when Petruchio mentions a bird who will “bate and beat and will not be obedient”. His description illustrates the bird, Katherine, fighting it’s master. Katherine is seen as a shrew and an abomination and in need of being tamed. She has her own thoughts an opinions and isn't afraid to voice them, which makes her seem undesirable. Petruchio realizes that his job will not be easy, but he believes that it is necessary. His whole goal has been to tame Katherine to prove that he can and because he truly believes that it will make her better. Petruchio is constantly keeping her from eating and sleeping and a tactic to break her down. His methods often do not work however because Katherine can see through his predictable attempts. Yet he still believes that he will eventually be able to tame Katherine.
Baptista: “Now, by my holidam, here comes Katherina!” Katherine: “What is your will, sir, that you send for me?” Petruchio: “Where is your sister, and Hortensio’s wife?” Katherine: “They sit conferring by the parlor fire” (V. ii. 108-111).
This conversation takes place shortly after Petruchio, Lucentio, and Hortensio make a bet as to who has the most obedient wife. Lucentio and Hortensio obviously think Petruchio is going to lose. They don’t know how much he has changed Katherine, and consider her a shrew still. They believed she would never be tamed, as did her father Baptista. This excerpt from the play is very important because it shows how obedient Katherine has become, and how successful Petruchio was when “taming the shrew.” Lucentio first asks his servant to get his wife from the other room. She refuses to do so. Petruchio does the same, and Katherine also says no. Last, Hortensio calls for his wife, but she does not come. All three think they have disobedient wives, and none of them win, for they all lose. Without being told again, Katherine makes an appearance. This throws the men off guard, which is seen when Baptista says, “Now, by my holidam, here comes Katherina!” (V. ii. 108). Katherine decides to come see what Petruchio wanted from her, without anyone asking her a second time. The other men find it shocking that this once shrew is now more obedient than their own wives. This moment is very significant in the play because it shows the huge growth in Katherine’s behavior throughout the play. She was once and unbearable, awful shrew. Now she is an obedient wife who has been taught a lesson. The title of the play, The Taming of the Shrew, makes this excerpt even more important. The main plot of this play was Petruchio taming Katherine. As time goes on throughout the book it can be seen that Katherine is growing away from her old behaviors. This is where we finally see how different she has become, which is significant because Petruchio’s ultimate goal was to tame her.
Great post! It seems like we talked about similar topics. I too noticed the stark contrast in Kate's personality from the beginning of the book to the end. By the end, she truly is a new character. In addition to your evidence, there are lots of lines that support this idea of the change of Kate, particularly in the final act. One of these instances is Kate's long monologue at the end of the play in which she pretty much explains her new, undying obedience for her new husband. This, to me, came off as a little extreme, but it really did exemplify Petruchio's successes at "taming the shrew".
Kate: A woman moved is like a fountain troubled, Muddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty, And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it. Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign - one that cares for thee, And for thy maintenance commits his body To painful labor both by sea and land, To watch the night in storms, the day in cold, Whilst thou li’st warm at home, secure and safe; (5.2.142-151) This quote sums up the extraordinary character shift that Kate undergoes in the relatively short amount of time that passes from when she meets Petruchio to when she spouts off this speech in the final scene of the play. In Petruchio’s view, she is now “tame”. This, of course, starkly contrasts her mean-spirited nature portrayed at the beginning of the play. In this quote, she basically portrays Petruchio as her God or master, which is nice in way: she likes her husband, but it also shows a displays the unfortunate theme present throughout the play as a whole: male dominance. Instead of sticking to at least some of her previous attitude, she pulls a 180 and allows Petruchio full control of her. This change is also evident a short time before this when the men place bets on which one of their new wives will come when they are beckoned for by Biondello. Kate was the only one to pass their test, thus winning the bet for Petruchio. Now, this seems to be a great thing for Petruchio and also Kate, as she is now a happier, nicer person. However, it shines a negative light on the situation, because, as stated before, Kate is now completely dominated by her husband. Now, something like this could never really occur in today’s American society. It would be sexist and just weird. On the other hand, it fits the time of Shakespeare very well, which could be a reason he wrote it this way. Back in his time, this was more the norm, so it is understandable Shakespeare writes in this style to give a touch of realism to the text.
Wow great analysis. I totally agree with the fact that Kate’s personality has drastically changed from the beginning of the play. I also agree with the fact that this shines a negative light on male dominance over females in our society. I don’t know if Kate is necessarily happier however. This situation seemed to take a large toll on her, especially in the last act. She seems to be hurt by the fact that Petruchio is so mean to her, starves her, and makes her beg like she never has before. She seems more hurt by the fact that he thinks that he uses love as an excuse to do this to her. I think that he does this with the right mindset, but goes about it in a wrong negative light. Thanks for posting!
Very nice analysis! I agree with your analysis completely. My idea is almost the same as yours. We both agree Petruchio is successful in "taming the shrew." As the play goes on, Katherine becomes more and more "tamed." This can be seen throughout the entire 4th and 5th acts. She becomes an obedient wife towards Petruchio, which is something even her father cannot believe. I think another example of Katherine’s obedience is when her and Petruchio are talking to the tailor about her gown. Petruchio insists that it is an awful dress, and hates it. At first Katherine argues a bit, saying she likes it. After Petruchio responds again saying he does not want the dress Katherine lets it go. She does not fight anymore, and learns that it is not worth a fight. This is where we first see Katherine’s forming obedience. It is very interesting to watch her character development throughout the book, because she grows more than any of the other characters in my opinion. She miraculously goes from an awful shrew that nobody can stand, to this obedient woman who is no longer a shrew.
“Kath. And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour, And not obedient to his honest will, What is she but a foul contending rebel, And graceless traitor to her contending lord? I am ashamed that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace; Or seek for rule, supremacy and way, When they are bound to serve, love and obey,” (V. ii. 85)
In this passage taken from Act 5 of The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine is performing a speech for Petruchio, Bianca, Lucentio, and Widow. Although this quote is purely from Katherine speaking, it truly shows the extent of Petruchio’s character development throughout the play. Petruchio has become even more manipulative, condescending, controlling, and yet oblivious, progressively in The Taming of the Shrew. As Petruchio commands Kate to speak about how “tamed” she is under Petruchio’s control, his ego soars and asks Kate to “bed”. However, I interpreted Kate’s speech, and her actions leading up to this, as her simply pretending to be tamed so that she could further embarrass Petruchio once they were wed. Quite frankly, Petruchio’s actions to tame Kate were extremely manipulative, abusive, and Kate must be jumping at the bit to repay him for his actions. Throughout Kate’s entire speech, she seems to be speaking so bombastically, with phrases like “graceless traitor to her contending lord”, and referring to Petruchio as “thy lord, thy king, the governor”. Personally, I would have loved to read a “Part two” of the play showing Katherine and Petruchio later on, preferably with a much different dynamic (equality, maybe?). Nonetheless, Petruchio’s character, although seen through the words of Katherine, shows through due to her alleged taming, and Petruchio’s lines both before and after her speech. Before, Petruchio orders Katherine to remove her hat in order for him to unnecessarily flaunt what he thinks to be power over her, and after, Petruchio of course has become all hot and bothered after seeing Katherine’s new obedience to him. Petruchio’s character was not one I liked in the beginning, Petruchio’s character is not one I like in the end. He is brash, egotistical, and if there were a male equivalent for the word “shew”, it would fit him wonderfully.
Act 5 Scene 1 Lucentio:Pardon, dear father. Vincentio:Dear son,you’re alive! Bianca:Pardon us, dear father Baptista:Why?What have you done?Where is Lucentio? Lucentio:Here is Lucentio, true son to the Vincentio. I have made your daughter mine by marriage while false impressions blinded your eyes. Gremio:Quite the conspiracy! We’ve all been duped. Vincentio:Where is that damned wretch, Tranio, who defied me in such a disgraceful manner? Baptista:Say, isn’t this the Latin master Cambio? Bianca:Cambio is transformed into Lucentio. lucentio:It was love that performed these miracles.Bianca’s love made me trade places with Tranio while he masqueraded as me around town. And now, finally, I’ve arrived happily at the blissful haven where I longed to be. What Tranio did, he did at my command.So pardon him, dear father, for my sake. This conversation with Lucentio, Vincemtio,Bianca,Baptista, and Gremio was a very important part of the first scene of Act 5 and the rest of the play. It carries out the theme of deception and love. It ties with the induction in the way of deception. Pretending to be someone else, or make others think you are someone else for the pleasure of yourself and others.It also touches the point of how much power love has and what people are willing to go through to get it. Like, Petruchio was willing to marry katherine because of his love for money. Once he was actually married to her however, he was willing to treat others poorly just to show her a lesson. This also shows how powerful love is in the sense that katherine let him do this to her. In the beginning of the play, Katherine would have thrown a fit. Now that she was married to Petruchio and had actually developed feelings for him, she was willing to change and be obedient for him. It just shows how much love can actually influence someone.
I also noticed how ironic this part is because usually Petruchio and Katherina are the ones that usually create a scene, but in this case it's Bianca and Lucentio.
Katherine: “ Nay, I will give thee a kiss. Now pray thee, love, stay. Petruchio: Is this well? Come sweet Kate, Better once than never, for never too late,”(V.i.126-130).
This conversation at the end of Act 5 scene 1 demonstrates the character change in not only Katherine, but Petruchio as well. Up until this point, their marriage gave the impression that it was a loveless marriage. Their marriage was Petruchio’s pride and his desire to complete this challenge of ‘taming’ Katherine. Throughout the play, many men have also spoken negatively about Katherine’s qualities and her as a person. This gives Katherine the impression that no one could ever love her. In this conversation, the idea that both Katherine and Petruchio have the ability to love each other is clearly shown. Katherine willingly kissing Petruchio in public was a huge indicator that Katherine was more open to the idea of her arranged marriage. After their kiss, Katherine calls Petruchio her love. This is the first time that she has called Petruchio, or anyone, her love. Petruchio responds similarly, showing affection for her. He has made many puns on Kate’s name, some good, but none have seemed very sincere. When he calls her sweet Kate, although not a pun, it shows that now instead of wooing or taming her he is care for her. On line 130, Petruchio mixes together the common phrases ‘Better late than never’ and ‘It’s never too late to mend’. Petruchio is characterized as witty and well spoken. His mixture of phrases gives the idea that he doesn’t always have that witty exterior. This conversation between the two of them has shown both the individual growth and the growth as a couple.
LORD: “Some one be ready with a costly suit,
ReplyDeleteAnd ask him what apparel he will wear;
Another tell him of his hounds and horse,
And that his lady mourns at his disease:
Persuade him that he hath been lunatic;
And when he says he is, say that he dreams,
For he is nothing but a mighty lord” (Induction.1.55-61).
This passage takes place after Lord finds Christopher Sly, a vagrant, who has fallen asleep drunk outside. Lord has a plan to play a trick on this poor sleeping man. He has decided to bring Sly into his home, and convince him that he is a lord himself. The best actors have been chosen to play a part in this trick. Lord’s plan is to completely convince Sly that he really is a lord, and has been insane for the past 15 years. In order to persuade Sly, Lord wants to wake him by offering him expensive clothing, and “reminding” him of the numerous dogs and horses he owns. He also wants to convince him that he has a wife, who has been worried for his health. Lord will tell Sly his “illness” has caused him to go a bit crazy, which is why he thinks he is only a poor vagrant. To convey this, Shakespeare repeatedly mentioned the luxuries of the upper class lifestyle. A costly suit for example, is something the lower class does not normally wear or own. He also writes about hounds and horses, which can both be associated with living among the upper class. Shakespeare’s use of these expensive words helps to convey the intentions of Lord. Lord plans on convincing this poor man that he really isn’t poor, and has just been ill. This is a cruel trick, because when Sly finds out that this is not reality, and it has been all a trick, he will not be happy with Lord and his people. This passage is very important to the rest of the play because the whole play is based upon this trick. The induction focuses on the actual trick itself, and the convincing of Sly. After this, Sly watches a play in his luxurious new home, which sets the scene for the rest of the book.
First of all, great analysis! I absolutely agree that Shakespeare used very luxurious words to portray the life new-found fancy lifestyle that Sly will soon (falsely) enjoy. The words such as "mighty lord," "costly suit," and "hounds and horses" provide very strong visual imagery to the text, which both furthers the deception for Sly and helps the reader's understanding of the story. Another passage that also supports this theme of deception is from a few pages later in the book when the First Servingman says, "All till the tears that she hath shed for thee... and yet she is inferior to none" (Ind. 2. 63-67). In this passage, the Servingman is telling Sly about his wonderful, and fake, wife. Again, Shakespeare uses very elegant diction to portray Sly's now luxurious lifestyle.
DeleteAt the beginning of the Induction of the play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, Christophero Sly is portrayed as a mean-spirited character through his negative diction and harsh words directed at the hostess of an alehouse. Sly says, “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!” (Ind. 1. 3-6). Characters traits are generally revealed towards the beginning of a story, and this play is no exception to that trend. Sly uses very coarse, insulting terms when speaking to this hostess including: “baggage” and “Sessa (scram)”. These are some of the first words that the reader (or audience member) hears from Sly, and this certainly makes a poor first impression with regards to his personality. In this passage, Shakespeare foreshadows the substandard treatment of women, which is a theme present throughout the play. A few lines later, Sly gives spits more foul-spirited language toward the hostess as he says, “I’ll not budge an inch, boy” (Ind. 1. 14). Boy, in Shakespearean language, is a slang term for wretch (a poor or unfortunate person). This is yet another personal attack thrown out by Sly in this first page of text. Overall, Sly’s very harsh words echo the unnecessarily malicious diction used by Katherina, The Shrew. This speaks to the grander theme of the purpose of the induction. Sly’s mistreatment of women and similarity in personality to Kate seem to suggest that the induction is used to introduce future themes in the play and loosely echo the plot as a whole.
ReplyDeleteAnother example from the text that would also support your analysis is when Sly says, "I'll pheeze you, in faith" (Induction. 1. 1). This is a threat from Sly to the hostess. He is telling her that he swears he will beat her up. I think this also supports your analysis because here Sly is using negative, foul language towards the hostess. His language really tells your something about Sly as a character. Along with what you said, Sly's characteristics are revealed at the beginning of the story. In this case, the first line of the induction shows Sly's hatred and anger towards the hostess. This also supports Sly's mistreatment of women, adding to your analysis of the induction's purpose of introducing the many themes of the play.
DeleteWe both think that Shakespeare uses diction and harsh words in the introduction to portray Christopher sly as a mean character. However, I also feel like Shakespeare set him up to be like this so the reader would be less sympathetic towards him when Lord took advantage of him on the streets. I feel as if this sets up the rest of the play to be a sense of karma for Sly. As if he had never refused to pay the hostess back for the glass he had broken, none of this would have happened. Shakespeare also sets him up as a drunken, poor, beggar which gives him even less value to the Lord, almost making it okay for him to do this to him. Nice analysis, thanks for posting!
DeleteLORD: “O monstrous beast!how like a swine he lies!Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.What think you, if he were convey’d to bed, wrapp’d in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?”(Introduction 1.22-29).
ReplyDeleteThe introduction begins with a drunk beggar by the name of Sly refusing to pay for the glass he has broken. As refusing to pay for this broken glas, the hostess takes matters into her own hands while trying to find the authorities.On her quest for the authorities, Sly passes out on the street. When passed by a Lord, he begins to have a bit of fun with the beggar, by bringing him back to his palace, giving him the allusion that he is rich.The passage is a very strong allusion as to how the less-fortunate is treated in everyday life. They are looked down on, and also messed with because they are seen as helpless. The Lord takes advantage of this beggar solely for his own amusement. Sly had done nothing to him, yet he feels the need to experiment with him. How I do wonder if the beggar will indeed be deceived and be in the same thinking as the Lord is now after being in a light of money.
I agree with your analysis 100%. It is very unfortunate that Sly had to experience this. Just because he is a beggar, it gives no right for the Lord to mess with him like that. Some ideas that you could have added to your analysis would be visual imagery, simile, and filthy and animal diction.
DeleteLORD: “O monstrous beast, how like swine he lies!
ReplyDeleteGrim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!
Sirs, I will practise on this drunken man.
What think you, if he convey’d to bed,
Wrapp’d in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers,
A most delicious banquet by his bed,
And brave attendants near him when he wakes-
Would the beggar not forget himself?” (Introduction 30-37).
In this passage, the Lord is describing his plans to fool a drunkard, Christopher Sly, into believing that he is the Lord of 15 years. The introduction of “The Taming of the Shrew”, by WIlliam Shakespeare, uses negative and luxurious diction to illustrate the separation and inequalities of the classes. In the Lord’s description of the plan, he uses negative diction to show his disgust towards Sly. Through the words “beast”, “swine”, and “fowl” the Lord characterizes Sly as cheap and appalling. The Lord’s characteristization of Sly implies his view of the lower classes is one of less importance and is almost dehumanizing. This direction is contradictory to the luxurious diction used to show the glamorous life of the Lord. The Lord’s diction is much more sophisticated and proper than sly’s showing his wealth. Words such as “delicious” and “sweet” show how his life is much more simpler and one of less struggles. In the last line of this passage, the lord claims that his plan will work and Sly will not have a choice but to believe. His contrasting diction supports his plan because if given a choice humans will always pick the more luxurious lifestyle and gladly forget the other lifestyles. This is supported by the juxtaposition that the contrasting diction makes to emphasize the wealth disparity in between the classes.
In the Induction of The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, he writes about Christopher Sly, a drunken beggar, and a wealthy and mischievous Lord who pulls a prank on Sly. The Lord and his servants devised a plan and pretends that Sly is actually a lord instead of a beggar. Shakespeare uses dirty diction and visual imagery to compare Sly to a beast and full of filth and grime. When Sly falls asleep in front of the alehouse, the Lord and his followers notices him and the Lord says “O monstrous beast, how like a swine he lies! / Grim death, how foul and loathsome is thine image!” (34-35). Shakespeare describes Sly as beast-like, monstrous, and have a foul image. This detailed visual imagery allow readers to interpret Sly’s appearance, which might I add sounds unpleasant and gruesome. Then later on the Lord thinks up a scenario where Sly wakes up and finds himself dressed in fine clothes and jewelries and well dressed attendants that surrounds him, “What think you if he were conveyed to bed, / Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, / A most delicious banquet by his bed, / And brace attendants near him when he wakes” (37-40). In lines 34-40, there is a huge difference between social classes. At one point Shakespeare is talking about filth and a monstrous beast to describe a lower class person, and then he is talking about this lavish and extravagant lifestyle of the upper class.
ReplyDeleteHortensio: Gremio, ‘tis now no time to vent our love.
ReplyDeleteListen to me, and if you speak me fair,
I’ll tell you news indifferent good for either.
Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met,
Upon agreement from us to his liking,
Will undertake to woo curst Katherine,
Yea, and to marry her dowry please.
In this passage, William Shakespeare portrays Hortensio as cunning upon his convincing of Petruchio to become a suitor to Kate. After this, Hortensio explains, here, his plan to Gremio. Basically, Hortensio tells him that he found a random guy (“whom by chance I met”) and that they need to pay him (“upon agreement from us to his liking”) to “woo curst Katherine.” This is quite an intelligent plan that Hortensio conjures up, especially considering that he made it on the spot in a relatively short amount of time. This makes Hortensio out to be a smarter than average character, and it simultaneously explains how much he wants to wed Kate.
The fact that Hortensio, and Gremio when he agrees to the plan in the subsequent lines, are willing to pay for Petruchio to “woo curst Katherine” just for a shot at marrying Bianca suggested a few things to me. First of all, this suggests that both Hortensio and Gremio are fairly wealthy individuals. This fits a trend in Shakespeare’s works, which in general deal with higher class citizens (kings, queens, princesses, dukes, etc.). In addition, that Hortensio and Gremio are willing to pay suggests that they both have an extraordinarily high desire to marry Kate (not very many guys would go to so much trouble). This fits another very common theme present in shakespearean works: “love at first sight.” This theme comes up in many of Shakespeare’s plays including Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night, and, of course, it has been copied an uncountable amount of times since then in many forms.
This from 1.2.178-184.
DeleteI completely agree with your analysis. When I read this too, I inferred that Hortensio and Gremio were both wealthy characters. The fact that they are going to pay Pertruchio so that they can marry Bianca really shows this. This seems to also fit in with Shakespeare's use of higher class characters like you mentioned, along with the characters in the side story of this play. Lord is a very wealthy character, who has enough money to trick Sly into being a lord and treat him as a lord. Although Sly is a low class individual, I think it is common for Shakespeare to incorporate the differences between the higher and lower classes in his work. I had not noticed the reoccurrence of love at first sight in Shakespeare's work like you mentioned in your analysis. I found this very interesting because this is definitely another example of that. These two men do not know Bianca that well, but will do whatever it takes to be her husband. That is exactly love at first sight.
DeleteFirst Servant: My lord, you nod. You do not mind the play.
ReplyDeleteSly: Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. A good matter, surely. Comes there any more of it?
Page: My lord, ‘tis but begun.
Sly: ‘Tis a very excellent piece of work, madam lady. Would ‘twere done. (I. i. 242-246).
This passage is a conversation between the spectators of this play. Sly begins to fall asleep during the play, and is not paying complete attention to it. One of the servants wake him up, in order to make sure he is paying attention and enjoying the play. Sly responds to this by telling the servant he does in fact like the play, but asks if it is over. His questioning of whether or not the play was over shows how Sly really was not enjoying the play. He found it boring, and payed little attention to it. This is also shown through the fact he was sleeping during part of the play. Next Page tells him it is only beginning and Sly says although it is excellent, he wishes it was over. Again, it can be seen that Sly is not at all interested in this play, and wished it was over. His disinterest and lack of enjoyment shows the differences in the lifestyles of the upper and lower classes. Sly is used to the lower class lifestyle. It is likely he did not watch plays as a form of entertainment before becoming, or tricked into becoming, a lord. He probably spent most of his time on the streets or in taverns. During this time, plays were a normal form of entertainment for the higher classes. Lord is most likely used to watching plays, and finds them enjoyable. Now that Sly is being tricked into being a lord, he is not used to the social norms, nor the lifestyle of someone in the higher class. This passage is very important to the rest of the play because it emphasizes the differences in the class system which is a big part of the play.
Great analysis! You brought up many points that, upon reading, I certainly agree with. Like you, I noticed stark differences between the classes throughout the play, and in particular with Sly. Here, he is simply not used to watching plays like the Lord and his compatriots. I definitely agree that class is a big theme throughout this play, as well as many of Shakespeare's other plays. Another instance of the class differences regarding Sly comes in the induction when Sly asks for cheap liquor instead of the fancy kind presented to him by some of the Lord's servants. Shakespeare seems to suggest that the classes simply want to stay in the class they were born into (high class stays high; low class stays low), since even when Sly is presented with nicer things, he still craves what he had before.
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DeleteI agree with the idea that Sly is bored with the play and hadn’t wanted to watch it because that’s not what he was used to since he was a beggar. Since he is not interested in the play, do you think that Sly is starting to realize that maybe he has been tricked? Or maybe since the servants had constantly reminded him that he had only thought that he was a beggar for 15 years, that he might try to be a beggar? He constantly thinks about it and isn’t accustomed to the life he is living right now. Maybe Sly will think that he would be happier as a beggar and was really supposed to be one and leave the life of being a “lord” to go back to being a beggar. I feel like he won’t ever adjust to being an upper class citizen and will always feel in the back of his mind that something is missing. Great analysis, thanks for posting!
DeleteGremio:[Aside] to cart her rather: she’s too rough for me.There, there, Hortensio, will you any wife?
ReplyDeleteKatherine: I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
Hortensio: Mates, maid!how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.
Katherine: I’ faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: I wis it is not halfway to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be to comb your noddle with a three-legg’d stool And paint your face and use you like a fool.
Hortensio: From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!
In the play Taming of the Shrew, Act 1, Shakespeare uses profanity and conflict, to convey the struggle it will be to find the shrew a man willing to marry her. First off, a shrew is a woman is poorly tempered, assertive, and aggressive.Shakespeare uses profanity to portray her as an aggressive woman when she says, “To comb your noddle with a three-legg’d stool And paint your face and use you like a fool” .The way that Katherine speaks about this man is enough to tell she is not a very sweet woman. It shows how aggressive she is when she talks about painting his face to make him look like a fool. It also shows a sign of defensiveness in her personality. This scene also addresses the conflict in the play in my opinion. We have strayed away from the induction to a new conflict being to find Katherine a husband before her younger sister Bianca. As I had said earlier, a shrew is a very aggressive woman being that is katherine. In this scene, Lucentio realizes that he has fallen in love with Bianca. He can not do anything about this situation until Katherine is married however. Katherine being a shrew is very unattractive to men, and they know it will be a struggle to find her someone. That’s where the title comes in. Taming the shrew, making her more appealing, making her marriageable will be the taming. Calming her to a point that a man will want to marry her.
First of all, I really enjoyed your analysis of this passage. To add to it, I think that Shakespeare uses such strong, bombastic, Donald Trump-esque language to portray just how "awful" Katherine must be. Of course I do not think that any woman should every be made to conform to a man's wishes, but Shakespeare certainly is able to portray this through more than just action. His use of alliteration, especially in "Mates, maid! How mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould" (I. ii. 13) allows for each word to take on greater meaning. With the repeated "m" sounds, Shakespeare's diction takes on a smoother approach to succinctly and concisely get across just how shrewish Katherine must be.
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ReplyDeleteACT I
ReplyDelete“Pet. Verona, for a while I take my leave,
To see my friends in Padua, but of all
My best belovèd and approvèd friend,
Hortensio. And I trow this is his house.
Here, sirrah Grumio. Knock, I say.
Gru. Knock, sir? Whom should I knock? Is there any man has rebused your Worship?
Pet. Villain, I say, knock me here soundly.
Gru. Knock you here, sir? Why, sir, what am I, sir, that I should knock you here, sir?
Pet. Villain, I say, knock me at this gate
And rap me well, or I’ll knock your knave’s pate.
Gru. My master is grown quarrelsome. I should knock you first,
And then I know after who comes by the worst.
Pet. Will it not be?
Faith, sirrah, an you’ll not knock, I’ll ring it.
I’ll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it” (I. ii. 18-19).
This conversation, taken from Scene 2 of Act 1, occurring between Petruchio and his servant Grumio, depicts a humorous line of puns to add to the characterization of both. As Petruchio and Grumio arrive at the door of Hortensio, Petruchio orders his servant to “knock me here”. Obliviously misunderstanding what his master is telling him to do, Grumio refuses to “knock him there”, thinking that Petruchio means for him to hit him. Shakespeare’s use of the play on the word “knock” adds to the humor and “slapsticky” qualities of The Taming of the Shrew. While reading this, I can’t help but think of the King of Slapstick comedy, Charlie Chaplin, and his archetypal misunderstandings of a play on words. Additionally, this particular excerpt allows the reader to dip his or her toes into the onslaught of puns and wordplay that Shakespeare uses in this play for the purpose of maintaining a light, comedic tone. This selection also highlights the divide between master and servant. While Petruchio refers to Grumio as “sirrah” and “villain”, Grumio refers to Petruchio as “sir” and “master”. The brief exchange of dialogue between these two characters shows just how much difference there is between the upper and lower and classes. For example, as Petruchio means “knock me here” to say “knock on the door”, Grumio interprets it as “hit me”. Maybe this is an intellectual divide due to a variance in access to education within the classes, or perhaps Grumio just has a better sense of humor. Nonetheless, this altercation between two characters reveals more to the themes of classism, and Shakespeare’s use of puns and double entendres for comedic relief.
“GERMIO To cart her rather! She’s too rough for me.
ReplyDeleteThere, there Hortensio, will you any wife?
KATHERINE (To Baptista) I pray you, sir, is it your will
To make a stale out of me amongst these mates?
HORTENSIO ‘Mates’ maid? How mean you that? No mates for you
Unless you were of gentler, milder mould,” (I.i.55-60).
In this passage, Shakespeare uses archaic diction is used to give the effect of pity for Katherine while demonstrating gender inequality and social hierarchy. Gremio and Hortensio are two suitors for Katherine's younger sister, Bianca. Both men already have an abundance of wealth, making them arrogant and self-important. While both men admired Bianca, they are unable to marry her until Katherine is married, therefore Baptista is trying to find potential suitors for Katherine. Through the use of the word ‘cart’, is is apparent that Gremio and Hortensio are unimpressed with Katherine as a possible wife. The word cart refers to the Elizabethan practice of tying up prostitutes and whipping them as they are carted around town. This allusion shows the gender inequality in this time period and play. Gender inequality is also seen through the use of the word ‘Stale’. Stale in this context means a laughing stock or prostitute. Katherine sees her father trying to sell her almost and embarrassing and degrading. This also shows the social pressure and standards of marriage. During this time, wives were almost property, when ‘investing’ in a wife, people looked for obedient women from rich homes. If women did not fit these standards, they were frowned upon. Katherine’s rebellious attitude and actions towards societies standards of women illuminated the social hierarchy.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAct 2 Scene 1
Gremio: Good morrow, neighbour Baptista.
Baptista: Good morrow, neighbour Gremio. God save you, gentlemen!
Petruchio: And you, good sir; Pray, have you not a daughter call’d Katharina, fair and virtuous?
Baptista: I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina.
Gremio: You are too blunt: go to it orderly.
Petruchio: You wrong me, Signor Gremio: give me leave. I am a gentlemen of Verona, sir, That, hearing of her beauty and her wit, Her affability and bashful modesty, Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour…
This scene consists of a conversation between Gremio, Baptista, and Petruchio on the subject of Katharina. Petruchio has the motive of marrying the daughter of a rich man after the death of his father. Giving him fair warning in the last scene about Katherine’s horrid attitude, he decides to pursue her, being the only thing he cares about if money. As Petruchio takes to Baptista, he mentions the qualities of katherine he likes, ignoring the negative things that people have said about her. As talked about in class, women are seen as more of a sexual aspect rather than what they really are. Men have a certain image they want to see in their woman and if they aren’t attractive or of possession of money, they won’t care for them (this is not all men, this is not a feminist post). Shakespeare really shows this by having Petruchio look past her bad qualities because of the money that she possesses. If Baptista didn’t have the money that he does, Petruchio wouldn’t want anything to do with Katherine. We also see that she isn’t seen for her true self by the way that he describes her. All he has to say about her qualities is about her beauty and her mild behaviour. She is attractive, so he thinks that he will be able to deal with her. He also mentions her mild behavior. I noticed he says “mild” almost in a way that he may be able to control or that she could change to fit the image of a woman he has in his head. He never once mentioned anything good about her personality.
Your analysis is quite insightful! I absolutely agree with the points you brought up about the women in the novel. Shakespeare's portrayal of men's views of women is certainly in stark contrast with the views of today. I agree with you that at this point, Petruchio is only in it for the money. However, one thing I would add is that the other suitors to Bianca pay Petruchio for his wooing of Kate just to have a chance to marry Bianca. This really ties into your main point of men only wanting the "attractive" girl. They are willing to pay just for a chance at her. It also reflects Petruchio's desire for wealth.
DeleteIn Act 2 of The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare characterizes Katherine and Petruchio through their sexual banter. There are many potential suitors for Katherine’s sister Bianca, but there is only one for Katherine, Petruchio, who sees his courtship as a challenge to ‘tame’ her. Katherine tries to avoid Petruchio’s advancements throughout the scene. Throughout the scene, Katherine and Petruchio have an exchange of witty insults, “K: What is your crest-a coxcomb?/ P: A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen./ K: No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven,” (II.i. 222-224). Katherine began this particular banter by insulting his family crest. She referred to it as a ‘coxcomb’, which is a fool’s cap typically worn by jesters and resembles a cock. Petruchio answered to the insult by offering Katherine his Comb(cock) with the promise that she would be his hen. This brings their conversation back to the idea of marriage. This banter shows Petruchio’s persistence and quick wit. His goal is to ‘tame’ Katherine and he takes everything thrown at him and turns it into a sexual innuendo. Katherine on the other hand is just trying to avoid Petruchio’s invitations. She does this by throwing insults at him. She is not afraid to do this, not only to Petruchio but all men, especially because when she feels that she isn’t being treated respectfully. She also insults him after one of Petruchio’s many invitations. On line 224, she insults his manhood by saying “ You crow too like a craven,”. By saying this she insinuates that he has competency issues. Through their repartee, Shakespeare characterizes both Katherine and Petruchio as individuals and as a partnership.
ReplyDeleteI find your analysis to be very interesting, and I agree with it. I also think Shakespeare's intentions were to portray Katherine and Petruchio as individuals and as a partnership. Despite Katherine rejecting all of his comments and advancements, Petruchio did well when reacting fst. He had comebacks for all her insults. This eventually led him to his final statement that he would marry Katherine that Sunday. Baptista originally told him that he must win Katherine's love before marrying. Pertuchio hid the fact Katherine was indifferent towards him, by covering up all of her insults, and making them seem to go along with his plan. This can be seen at the end of their banter.
DeleteBaptista:
ReplyDeleteContent you, gentlemen. I will compound this strife.
‘Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both
That can assume my daughter greater dower
Shall have my Bianca’s love.
Say, Signior Gremio, what can you assure her? (II. i. 337-341).
This passage occurs after Petruchio has a plan of marrying Katherine the upcoming Sunday. Now that Katherine will be married, her sister Bianca is now available to be married. She has many suitors who are willing to do anything for Bianca’s love. Tranio and Gremio are fighting over who they think deserves Bianca and who wants her more when Baptista says this passage. Here he is saying that he will make the decision of who will marry his daughter. His decision will be based on who can promise the largest dower for his daughter. He wants his daughter to marry the man who will offer her the most. This shows how Baptista sees marriage as more of an investment rather than love. Baptista does not care about who really loves her the most, but just who he and his daughter will benefit the most from. He just cares about money and land. This passage is very important to show the difference in both the location and time period. This is a time and place of arranged marriage, which many agree with, but many also disagree with. This example shows the negative side of these types of marriages. Bianca does not get to decide whether she loves Gremio or Tranio more. Her father is choosing for her, but not based on love, based on money and land. Along with this, it can be seen that Baptista is a greedy man. Although he is looking for money for his daughter not himself, if his daughter is taken care of then he won’t have to take care of her with his money.
Great analysis. I agree with you that Baptista is only looking to see who has more to offer his daughter instead of who really in truly loves his daughter more. I think this fits with my analysis as well because men are more focused on what will be more beneficial to them. For example, Petruchio only wants to marry Katherine because her father has a lot of money. Baptista wants Bianca to marry a man who will have a lot of money instead of who loves her.I feel like this might be one of the morals in the play that instead of looking for someone who has something materialistic to give you, you should love for someone who cares about you on a deeper level.
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ReplyDeletePetruchio: Alas, good kate, I will not burden thee,
ReplyDeleteFor, knowing thee to be but young and light-
Kate: Too light for such a swain as you to catch
And yet as heavy as my weight should be.
Petruchio: Should be! Should - buzz!
Kate: Well ta’en, and like a buzzard.
Petruchio: O slow-winged turtle, shall a buzzard
take thee?
Kate: Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard.
Petruchio, Come, come, you wasp, i’ faith you are
too angry,
Kate: If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Shakespeare creates a humorous mood by using an extended metaphor and some playful banter between Kate and Petruchio throughout this passage. The extended pun is carried out through the multiple uses of the words buzz and buzzard. Buzzing, the sound insects make, leads Kate to remark that Petruchio is “like a buzzard.” When she uses buzzard here, she referring to an untrainable bird of prey; she is basically calling him stupid and unable to learn (this is just one of the many insults hurled out by Kate in this play and particularly in this act). “Buzzard” can also mean an insect, which leads to the following piece of the conversation when Petruchio uses a metaphor to compare Kate to a wasp. All of this contributes to the light-hearted, funny mood, which Shakespeare portrays here; this fits because Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's comedies.
In this scene, Kate attempts to be very mean and spiteful towards Petruchio, just as she acts in the rest of the play. However, particularly in this passage, she comes off as more playful and jesting than wicked. Most people, when attempting to insult someone or push them aside are fairly quick and to the point. It is not very natural of someone of Kate’s nature to sort of joke around and make up puns as she does here. This suggest a small change in her character at this point in the play. Kate seems to be enjoying herself, and her spirit seems much brighter than in Act One. A likely reason for this change is that because of her “shrewness,” no one has ever really like her before. She is enjoying this new time.
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ReplyDeleteIn Act II, there is a scene where Shakespeare portrays Katharina as someone who is helpless and somewhat forlorn. Katharina’s dad, Baptista, asks Petruchio, a wealthy bachelor who wants to marry Katharina, how his conversation with his daughter is going. In reply Petruchio lies to Baptista and says “How but well, sir? How but well? / It were impossible I should speed amiss” (2.1 275-276). Petruchio told Baptista that things are going beautifully, and this situation could not have turned out any better than this. Of course, Katharina the shrew went off on her father because he agreed to marry her off to a maniac by saying “Call you me daughter? now, I promise you / You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, / To wish me wed to one half lunatic” (2.1 278-280). Petruchio, not bothered by all of Katharina’s objections, goes on with his lies and tells Baptista and everyone that Kate is unlike what everyone thinks she is - Kate is gentle as a dove, patient, and modest, “For she’s not froward but modest as the dove. / She is not hot but temperate as the morn; / For patience she will prove a second Grissel / And Roman Lucrece for her chastity” (2.1 283-289). Petruchio told everyone present that Kate has agreed to marry him. Even though she did not agree to this marriage, she did not respond with a protest or any more complaints as well. Katharina’s silence could be seen as her giving up and surrendering in a way. Or, since she knows that her father and Petruchio made a deal about the marriage, she really has nothing left to say. The situation that she is in right now makes readers feel sorry and pity towards her because it seems as if her father is trying to marry her off to someone as soon as possible. By marrying her off to a total stranger, the readers and Katherina as well, look at it as if Baptista is trying to get rid of her as fast as he can.
ReplyDeletePetruchio:
ReplyDeleteThey shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.---
Obey the bride, you that attend on her.
Go to the feast, reveal the domineer,
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead,
Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves.
But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
I will be master of what is mine own. (III. ii. 217-24)
Throughout this play, there are several examples of the different social statuses of men and women. Shakespeare portrays the male characters in this play as more dominant than the women. This passage is one of the many examples of this theme of male dominance. This passage is said by Petruchio, towards his wedding guests. Petruchio is telling his guests to go enjoy the feast and party without him and his new wife. He says this shortly after telling his guests that he needs to leave right away. No one knows his reasoning for leaving, but he is adamant that he must leave then, and has no time to waste. Katherine, his new wife, asks if he will stay for her, and if he loved her he would stay. He responds by telling her he will not leave. Later, he goes on to say that she must go with him. Shakespeare writes, “But for my bonny Kate, she must with me” (222). This is Petruchio’s command that Kate is to join him on his departure. Due to a feeling of superiority inside Petruchio, he feels he can boss Kate around. He does not allow her to make her own decisions, because he is in charge. He later refers to Katherine as an item. Shakespeare writes, “I will be master of what is mine own” (224). Here Petruchio claims Katherine is his property, and he has the right to be in charge of her. He sees himself as the “master” of Katherine, which supports the theme of male dominance throughout the play.
Great post! I certainly agree with the contrast you brought up between male and female characters. I, too, saw this quote as portraying this theme, among the many others throughout the play that do this same thing. I thought here that this quote was a sort of "sign of the times" in that it shows how different and specific the gender roles were in Shakespeare's time. This was a normal way of thinking in the 1500's. What I found interesting in this passage was Petruchio's repetition of "nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret," which really emphasizes his possessive feelings towards Kate.
DeleteBiondello: Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and
ReplyDeletean old jerkin; a pair of old breeches thrice turned;
a pair of boots that have been candle-cases, one
buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en
out of the town armory, with a broken hilt and
chapeless; with two broken points; his horse
hipped (with an old mothy saddle and stirrups or… (3.2.43-49)
Shakespeare makes a point here to show how execrable Petruchio’s appearance is for his wedding day. The passage explains how he is practically dressed in rags, with many old, run down articles of clothing not fit for him at such a time. This seems to suggest that Petruchio is unconcerned with wedding and that he is, in general, an apathetic person. This is backed up later in the scene when Petruchio swears multiple times during the ceremony and hits the priest. Now, nobody would be so foolish as to commit these strange, atrocious acts without an ulterior motive. The fact that he acts so strangely sort of foreshadows some sort of big occasion in the future. This is most likely why he runs off so hastily with Kate upon the completion of the ceremony.
Much visual imagery is present in this piece, which further adds to the shock and humor of the wild events. Biondello’s account includes words such as “candle-cases,” “mothy saddle,” and “old jerkin” (words you could only find in a Shakespearean text, or course). These strange terms, in short, sum up the atrocious outfit that Petruchio wears in this scene. They provide insight into the clothing people wore at the time, or rather should not wear, and set the scene for the reader (or audience member when acted out). This speech has a sort of interesting effect of the reader in that it would seem that Biondello makes use a hyperbole in his extreme account of Petruchio, but in fact everything he says turns out to be true, which adds a humorous element to the play.
Great analysis! I had not thought of it this way. I like how you said Petruchio is an apathetic person, which can be seen throughout this play. Like you mentioned, his swearing at the wedding supports this idea. Petruchio seems to be very careless when it comes to the wedding. First of all, he was running late to his very own wedding. This shows how little this wedding meant to him, and it caused his bride to question his love for her. Being late to your own wedding is very unacceptable today, and must have been back then as well, at least for most people. I found it very interesting you connected Petruchio's strange behavior to him running off with Kate soon after. I had not thought about this, but now I see it and agree with you. Shakespeare wanted to create a sense of suspicion in the reader. The fact that Petruchio says he needs to get out of there soon might foreshadow that he did something wrong earlier in the day, and needs to go into hiding. This is similar to your analysis of the event.
Delete
ReplyDeletePetruchio and Katharina’s wedding occurs in Act 3, and on this very important day, Petruchio made a great effort to make himself look like a complete fool. As a matter of fact, he acted so well that even Bianca says that Katharina has found a fittingly mad mate, “That being mad herself, she’s madly mated” (3.2 244). Petruchio shows up late, but what’s even worse than showing up late to your own wedding is showing up to your wedding looking homeless. His excessive attempt to make his appearance look unpleasant and repulsive is an example of the stereotypes that we hold for people of the upper class. Of course, Baptista is shocked, flabbergasted, and immediately asks him to change into a more fitting attire, “Now sadder that you come so unprovided. / Fie, doff this habit, shame to your estate, / An eyesore to your solemn festival” (3.2 99-101). Baptista also protests that Petruchio’s get-up is a disgrace to a man of such a high social position, but Petruchio refuses to change and says that Katharina isn’t getting married to his clothes. His outlandish behavior does not stop there though, he continues his acting during the wedding ceremony by cursing and hitting the priest. Afterwards, he announces that he and Katharina are not able to join the guests during their wedding reception, “I know you think to dine with me today / And have prepared great store of wedding cheer, / But so it is, my haste doth call me hence / And therefore here I mean to take my leave” (3.2 185-188). Petruchio puts up a wild and an outrageous act because he wants Katharina to experience how difficult and frustrating it is to deal with someone like her, which is pretty much a taste of her own medicine. This act is the kickstart to Petruchio’s “taming” of the shrew.
I agree with your analysis because ours were very similar. We both noticed how Petruchio was unwilling to change even though Baptista said the wedding wouldn’t continue if he didn’t. Also that there was a big change in the social classes. Like how Baptista wanted him to change so he would look like he fit in with the rest of their family I like how you noticed that Petruchio was acting this way to show Kate just how difficult it is to deal with someone like her.I hadn’t noticed that aspect when I read the scene, but it makes sense after the behavior that he displayed during it. Great analysis!
DeleteAct 3 Scene 2
ReplyDeleteTranio: See not your bride in these unreverent robes: go to my chamber; put on clothes of mine
Petruchio: Not I, belive me: thus I’ll visit her.
Baptista: But thus, I trust, you will not marry her.
Petruchio: Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha’ done with words: To me she’s married, not unto my clothes: Could I repair what she will wear in me, As I can change these poor accoutrements, T were well for Kate and better for myself. But what a fool am I chat with you, When I should bid good morrow to my bride, And seal the title with a lovely kiss!
In this scene is the banter between Petruchio and Baptista about the cloths that Petruchio has chosen to wear to the wedding. Baptista exclaims that he must change at once or he is not to marry Kate. Shakespeare uses characterization to show the true personality and beliefs or Petruchio. Petruchio doesn’t understand why he must change to be able to marry Kate. he brings up the point that Kate is marrying him, not the clothes that he is wearing. This is also where we see social classes really develop to be a problem. Not only does Baptista want Kate to marry a man that can support her, but she also wants a man that will look nice. He sees Petruchio’s clothes as an embarrassment. He doesn’t want this embarrassment to be in no way involved with Kate or with his family. He wants nothing but riches and a positive look to reflect on his family. This is also where we see that this marriage may not work. petruchio doesn’t care to change clothes even though Baptista wants him too. When Baptista says that he won’t marry Kate unless he changes, he rebels. Petruchio says that he will still visit Kate even if he doesn’t allow the wedding to happen.
Katherine “No shame but mine. I must forsooth, be forc’d
ReplyDeleteTo give my hand, oppose’d agaisnt my heart,
Unto a mad-brain rudesby, full of spleen,
who woo’d in haste and means to wed at leisure.
I told you, I, he was a frantic fool,” (III.ii.9-19).
In this passage, Katherine talks about her true feelings about marrying Petruchio. Throughout the play, Katherine has been characterized as a shrew, devil and wild, and not has been desired by any suitors. When Petruchio comes and wants to marry her she seems sceptical about Petruchio’s true intentions. On line 11, Katherine alludes to the saying ‘marry in haste and repent at leisure’. Through Katherine’s reference this old phrase, characterizes her as a progressive woman for her time. From the time of the arrangement, to the actual marriage is very quick. She does not want to rush into a marriage, especially if she doesn’t know her future husband well. Along with not wanting to rush into marriage, she specifically does not want to marry Petruchio. From their first encounter of sexual banter, Katherine only sees Petruchio as a jokester. Through the use of the words ‘fool’, ‘rudesby’ and ‘spleen’. These words all give a negative connotation to Petruchio. Along with the negative connotation, rudesby is also archaic. Rudesby means someone who is uncivil and turbulent. With all of these insults it is very apparent that Katherine does not want to marry Petruchio. Another sign that Katherine feels strongly against the wedding is the length of the speech itself. Prior in the play, Katherine has only said short lines which normally consisted of witty insults. This change of diction also shows how progressive she is to communicate feelings against the marriage.
Kate: I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet.
ReplyDeleteThe meat was well if you were so contented.
Petruchio: I tell thee, Kate, ‘twas burnt and dried away,
And I expressly am forbid to touch it,
For it engenders choler, planteth anger,
And better ‘twere that both of us did fast-
Since of ourselves, ourselves are choleric-
Than feed it with such overroasted flesh.
Be patient. Tomorrow’t shall be mended,
And for this night we’ll fast for company.
Cone, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber.
Nathaniel: Peter, didst ever see the like?
Peter: He kills her in her own humor (4.1. 162-174).
Shakespeare uses this passage to explain how Petruchio “tames the shrew”. Ever since Kate and Petruchio arrived back at his house, he has starved her and repeatedly beaten and berated his servants in front of her. He continually rants about the food being overdone or not up to par. He claims this poorly prepared food makes people angry and produces extra choler (or bile, one of the four “humors” explained and used in the medical theory of Hippocrates). Basically, he claims that eating this food will make one out of balance. Kate, however, claims that the meal is perfectly fine suggesting that Petruchio does not think the meal is overcooked at all. He, instead, is just starving her. Petruchio thinks he can “tame the shrew” by using these tactics (acting mean spirited and not allowing her to eat). In a sense his strategy is to act just like Kate did at the beginning of the story. He throwing all of this back to her to make her realize how awful it is. This where Peter’s, one of Petruchio’s servants, quote comes in, “He kills her with her own humor (4. 1. 174). In this, Peter explains Petruchio’s motive: to use Kate’s naturally spiteful attitude right back at her. In addition, Shakespeare uses a pun on the word humor, which can mean both the humor that Hippocrates wrote of or as used here to mean one’s disposition. This continues the theme of the “humors” that are spoken of throughout this act.
Great analysis Adam! I thought the same things while reading this passage. Petruchio has decided that his "strategy" for taming Katherine will be to treat her just like she treated others in the beginning. He wants to be more of a shrew than her, in order to make her realize her behavior was what made her undesirable, and caused her to be nicknamed "the shrew." Another example from the text to support your analysis is in act 4 scene 3, and is when Petruchio tells the tailor he has lost him as a customer. He does this after seeing Kate's wedding dress tailored. He acts as though he hates it, but Kate responds by saying it is the best designed dress she has seen. She also says to Petruchio she thinks he is making her into a puppet, meaning he does not care about what she wants. This shows how Petruchio is taking control of Kate and acting awful in order to "put her in her place" and show her how she was acting. I think this relates to your analysis because you said Petruchio starving Kate was so that Petruchio could act as awful as Kate, and use her behavior to change her. I also think both of these examples could be Petruchio showing his dominance over Kate. This way she would know that he was in charge, and her shrew-like behavior would no longer be accepted.
DeleteWow Great analysis. I liked how you noticed that when Peter said, “He kills her with her own humor”, that he was talking about using the way Kate treats people as a way to make her see that it’s not right. I think that it is an interesting tactic he uses in hope of trying to open Kate’s eyes up to her own actions. I feel like in this scene, Shakespeare uses characterization and conflict to portray Kate. The was that the Petruchio tries to show Katherine that he doesn’t like how she's acting, shows a lot about his personality. It also shows a lot about Kate’s personality because she doesn’t like the way that Petruchio is treating people even though that’s how she treats people. Maybe Kate just doesn’t realize that she treats people poorly. Thanks for posting!
DeletePetruchio: “Where be those knaves? What, no man at door to hold my stirrup nor to take my horse! Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Philip?”
ReplyDeleteAll Servingmen: “Here, here sir! Here, sir!” (IIII. i. 96-99).
The differences between social classes are brought up and revealed repeatedly throughout this play. Shakespeare writes this play in a way to show the superiority of the upper class, and inferiority of the lower class. He does this through diction and language, specifically when showing how the upper class and lower class speak to one and other. This excerpt from Act 4 shows the differences of how the upper class, in this case Petruchio, addresses the lower class, the servingmen, and vice versa. Petruchio speaks to his servants with foul language, calling them “knaves” when asking where his servants were. He is able to call them this because due to social classes and social norms, he is superior to them. Next, Petruchio asks why no one was waiting on him to take off his stirrups and put his horse in the stables. Due to his superior role in the house, Petruchio expects everything to be done for him. He expects his servants to always be there for him, so that he has to do nothing. In this case he found it to be a complete burden for him to remove his own stirrups, as well as put his horse away. Since he is not used to doing these things himself, it made him angry his servants weren’t there. In contrast, the servingmen are unable to stand up for themselves, because if they did they would be punished. After Petruchio gets upset with the servingmen for not helping him when he was home, and asking where they all were, they respond by frantically saying here sir a few times. They also address Petruchio as sir, showing his superiority once again. The servants treat Petruchio as their master, and obey everything he says. Due to the social class system at the time, this was normal, and the right thing for them to do.
Great analysis! I too thought of the classes upon reading this quote and when reading this act as a whole. The divide is very apparent between Petruchio, as the master, and his servants. I Liked your pointing out of the vulgar diction Petruchio uses when referring to the servingmen. This ties into the very negative mood invoked by Petruchio throughout this act as he attempts to "tame the shrew" while being a sort of shrew himself. I also enjoyed your analysis of the word "sir" as used by the servants. It clearly shows the respect that the servingmen have to have for Petruchio. It emphasizes the immense difference between the classes as well; "sir" is very different from "knave"!
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ReplyDeleteAct 4 Scene 1
ReplyDeletePetruchio:Where be the knaves? What, no man at door To hold up my stirrup nor to take my horse! Where is Nathaniel, Gregory, Phillip?
All Servants: Here, here sir; here, sir.
Petruchio: Here, sir! here, sir! You logger-headed and unpolish’d grooms! What, no attendance? no regard?no duty? Where is the foolish knave I sent before?
Grumio: Here, sir, as foolish as I was before.
Petruchio: You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge! Did I not bid thee meet me in the park, And bring along these rascals knaves with thee?
Grumio: Nathaniel’s coat, sir was not fully made, And Gabriel’s pumps were all unpink’d i’ the heel: There was no link to colour Peter’s hat, And Walter’s dagger was not come from sheathing: There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory; The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you.
Petruchio: Go, rascals, go and fetch my supper in.
In this scene, It is a banter between Petruchio and the rest of the servants. Petruchio is angry that the servants did not meet him and his wife and the door and get everything prepared for his arrival and treats them badly. Kate doesn’t know that the reason Petruchio treats them so badly is so that she sees how bad it is to treat someone else like that. He is trying to show her that it’s not okay to treat people the way she does and wants her to come to a realization that its not okay. I feel like Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in this scene in an attempt to get Kate to change her ways. I think in this scene it also shows the different social classes and how they really have an effect on the play. Like, Petruchio doesn’t treat anyone that has money the way that he treats the servants. He knows that he can get away with treating the servants badly so he does in his attempt to change Kate.
Petruchio: “My falcon is now sharp and passing empty,
ReplyDeleteAnd 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 is, to watch her, as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient.
She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat;
Last night she slept not, nor tonight shall she not,”(IV.i.172-180)
Throughout this play, the idea of ‘taming’ Katherine is heavily repeated and discussed. In this passage, Petruchio uses visual imagery, symbolism and anaphora to discuss his methods of taming Katherine. While never actually mentioned In his monologue, it is assumed that Katherine is subject of his description of his methods of taming. The words ‘her’ and ‘she’ were repeated heavily throughout this passage. They insinuate that the speech is not actually about a falcon and is about Katherine instead. Petruchio describes the many steps that he needs in order to tame his falcon. This shows how thorough and thoughtful he is. Visual imagery is used when Petruchio mentions a bird who will “bate and beat and will not be obedient”. His description illustrates the bird, Katherine, fighting it’s master. Katherine is seen as a shrew and an abomination and in need of being tamed. She has her own thoughts an opinions and isn't afraid to voice them, which makes her seem undesirable. Petruchio realizes that his job will not be easy, but he believes that it is necessary. His whole goal has been to tame Katherine to prove that he can and because he truly believes that it will make her better. Petruchio is constantly keeping her from eating and sleeping and a tactic to break her down. His methods often do not work however because Katherine can see through his predictable attempts. Yet he still believes that he will eventually be able to tame Katherine.
Baptista: “Now, by my holidam, here comes Katherina!”
ReplyDeleteKatherine: “What is your will, sir, that you send for me?”
Petruchio: “Where is your sister, and Hortensio’s wife?”
Katherine: “They sit conferring by the parlor fire” (V. ii. 108-111).
This conversation takes place shortly after Petruchio, Lucentio, and Hortensio make a bet as to who has the most obedient wife. Lucentio and Hortensio obviously think Petruchio is going to lose. They don’t know how much he has changed Katherine, and consider her a shrew still. They believed she would never be tamed, as did her father Baptista. This excerpt from the play is very important because it shows how obedient Katherine has become, and how successful Petruchio was when “taming the shrew.” Lucentio first asks his servant to get his wife from the other room. She refuses to do so. Petruchio does the same, and Katherine also says no. Last, Hortensio calls for his wife, but she does not come. All three think they have disobedient wives, and none of them win, for they all lose. Without being told again, Katherine makes an appearance. This throws the men off guard, which is seen when Baptista says, “Now, by my holidam, here comes Katherina!” (V. ii. 108). Katherine decides to come see what Petruchio wanted from her, without anyone asking her a second time. The other men find it shocking that this once shrew is now more obedient than their own wives. This moment is very significant in the play because it shows the huge growth in Katherine’s behavior throughout the play. She was once and unbearable, awful shrew. Now she is an obedient wife who has been taught a lesson. The title of the play, The Taming of the Shrew, makes this excerpt even more important. The main plot of this play was Petruchio taming Katherine. As time goes on throughout the book it can be seen that Katherine is growing away from her old behaviors. This is where we finally see how different she has become, which is significant because Petruchio’s ultimate goal was to tame her.
Great post! It seems like we talked about similar topics. I too noticed the stark contrast in Kate's personality from the beginning of the book to the end. By the end, she truly is a new character. In addition to your evidence, there are lots of lines that support this idea of the change of Kate, particularly in the final act. One of these instances is Kate's long monologue at the end of the play in which she pretty much explains her new, undying obedience for her new husband. This, to me, came off as a little extreme, but it really did exemplify Petruchio's successes at "taming the shrew".
DeleteKate: A woman moved is like a fountain troubled,
ReplyDeleteMuddy, ill-seeming, thick, bereft of beauty,
And while it is so, none so dry or thirsty
Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it.
Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper,
Thy head, thy sovereign - one that cares for thee,
And for thy maintenance commits his body
To painful labor both by sea and land,
To watch the night in storms, the day in cold,
Whilst thou li’st warm at home, secure and safe; (5.2.142-151)
This quote sums up the extraordinary character shift that Kate undergoes in the relatively short amount of time that passes from when she meets Petruchio to when she spouts off this speech in the final scene of the play. In Petruchio’s view, she is now “tame”. This, of course, starkly contrasts her mean-spirited nature portrayed at the beginning of the play. In this quote, she basically portrays Petruchio as her God or master, which is nice in way: she likes her husband, but it also shows a displays the unfortunate theme present throughout the play as a whole: male dominance. Instead of sticking to at least some of her previous attitude, she pulls a 180 and allows Petruchio full control of her. This change is also evident a short time before this when the men place bets on which one of their new wives will come when they are beckoned for by Biondello. Kate was the only one to pass their test, thus winning the bet for Petruchio. Now, this seems to be a great thing for Petruchio and also Kate, as she is now a happier, nicer person. However, it shines a negative light on the situation, because, as stated before, Kate is now completely dominated by her husband. Now, something like this could never really occur in today’s American society. It would be sexist and just weird. On the other hand, it fits the time of Shakespeare very well, which could be a reason he wrote it this way. Back in his time, this was more the norm, so it is understandable Shakespeare writes in this style to give a touch of realism to the text.
Wow great analysis. I totally agree with the fact that Kate’s personality has drastically changed
Deletefrom the beginning of the play. I also agree with the fact that this shines a negative light on male dominance over females in our society. I don’t know if Kate is necessarily happier however. This situation seemed to take a large toll on her, especially in the last act. She seems to be hurt by the fact that Petruchio is so mean to her, starves her, and makes her beg like she never has before. She seems more hurt by the fact that he thinks that he uses love as an excuse to do this to her. I think that he does this with the right mindset, but goes about it in a wrong negative light. Thanks for posting!
Very nice analysis! I agree with your analysis completely. My idea is almost the same as yours. We both agree Petruchio is successful in "taming the shrew." As the play goes on, Katherine becomes more and more "tamed." This can be seen throughout the entire 4th and 5th acts. She becomes an obedient wife towards Petruchio, which is something even her father cannot believe. I think another example of Katherine’s obedience is when her and Petruchio are talking to the tailor about her gown. Petruchio insists that it is an awful dress, and hates it. At first Katherine argues a bit, saying she likes it. After Petruchio responds again saying he does not want the dress Katherine lets it go. She does not fight anymore, and learns that it is not worth a fight. This is where we first see Katherine’s forming obedience. It is very interesting to watch her character development throughout the book, because she grows more than any of the other characters in my opinion. She miraculously goes from an awful shrew that nobody can stand, to this obedient woman who is no longer a shrew.
Delete“Kath. And when she is froward, peevish, sullen, sour,
ReplyDeleteAnd not obedient to his honest will,
What is she but a foul contending rebel,
And graceless traitor to her contending lord?
I am ashamed that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace;
Or seek for rule, supremacy and way,
When they are bound to serve, love and obey,” (V. ii. 85)
In this passage taken from Act 5 of The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine is performing a speech for Petruchio, Bianca, Lucentio, and Widow. Although this quote is purely from Katherine speaking, it truly shows the extent of Petruchio’s character development throughout the play. Petruchio has become even more manipulative, condescending, controlling, and yet oblivious, progressively in The Taming of the Shrew. As Petruchio commands Kate to speak about how “tamed” she is under Petruchio’s control, his ego soars and asks Kate to “bed”. However, I interpreted Kate’s speech, and her actions leading up to this, as her simply pretending to be tamed so that she could further embarrass Petruchio once they were wed. Quite frankly, Petruchio’s actions to tame Kate were extremely manipulative, abusive, and Kate must be jumping at the bit to repay him for his actions. Throughout Kate’s entire speech, she seems to be speaking so bombastically, with phrases like “graceless traitor to her contending lord”, and referring to Petruchio as “thy lord, thy king, the governor”. Personally, I would have loved to read a “Part two” of the play showing Katherine and Petruchio later on, preferably with a much different dynamic (equality, maybe?). Nonetheless, Petruchio’s character, although seen through the words of Katherine, shows through due to her alleged taming, and Petruchio’s lines both before and after her speech. Before, Petruchio orders Katherine to remove her hat in order for him to unnecessarily flaunt what he thinks to be power over her, and after, Petruchio of course has become all hot and bothered after seeing Katherine’s new obedience to him. Petruchio’s character was not one I liked in the beginning, Petruchio’s character is not one I like in the end. He is brash, egotistical, and if there were a male equivalent for the word “shew”, it would fit him wonderfully.
Act 5 Scene 1
ReplyDeleteLucentio:Pardon, dear father.
Vincentio:Dear son,you’re alive!
Bianca:Pardon us, dear father
Baptista:Why?What have you done?Where is Lucentio?
Lucentio:Here is Lucentio, true son to the Vincentio. I have made your daughter mine by marriage while false impressions blinded your eyes.
Gremio:Quite the conspiracy! We’ve all been duped.
Vincentio:Where is that damned wretch, Tranio, who defied me in such a disgraceful manner?
Baptista:Say, isn’t this the Latin master Cambio?
Bianca:Cambio is transformed into Lucentio.
lucentio:It was love that performed these miracles.Bianca’s love made me trade places with Tranio while he masqueraded as me around town. And now, finally, I’ve arrived happily at the blissful haven where I longed to be. What Tranio did, he did at my command.So pardon him, dear father, for my sake.
This conversation with Lucentio, Vincemtio,Bianca,Baptista, and Gremio was a very important part of the first scene of Act 5 and the rest of the play. It carries out the theme of deception and love. It ties with the induction in the way of deception. Pretending to be someone else, or make others think you are someone else for the pleasure of yourself and others.It also touches the point of how much power love has and what people are willing to go through to get it. Like, Petruchio was willing to marry katherine because of his love for money. Once he was actually married to her however, he was willing to treat others poorly just to show her a lesson. This also shows how powerful love is in the sense that katherine let him do this to her. In the beginning of the play, Katherine would have thrown a fit. Now that she was married to Petruchio and had actually developed feelings for him, she was willing to change and be obedient for him. It just shows how much love can actually influence someone.
I also noticed how ironic this part is because usually Petruchio and Katherina are the ones that usually create a scene, but in this case it's Bianca and Lucentio.
DeleteKatherine: “ Nay, I will give thee a kiss.
ReplyDeleteNow pray thee, love, stay.
Petruchio: Is this well? Come sweet Kate,
Better once than never, for never too late,”(V.i.126-130).
This conversation at the end of Act 5 scene 1 demonstrates the character change in not only Katherine, but Petruchio as well. Up until this point, their marriage gave the impression that it was a loveless marriage. Their marriage was Petruchio’s pride and his desire to complete this challenge of ‘taming’ Katherine. Throughout the play, many men have also spoken negatively about Katherine’s qualities and her as a person. This gives Katherine the impression that no one could ever love her. In this conversation, the idea that both Katherine and Petruchio have the ability to love each other is clearly shown. Katherine willingly kissing Petruchio in public was a huge indicator that Katherine was more open to the idea of her arranged marriage. After their kiss, Katherine calls Petruchio her love. This is the first time that she has called Petruchio, or anyone, her love. Petruchio responds similarly, showing affection for her. He has made many puns on Kate’s name, some good, but none have seemed very sincere. When he calls her sweet Kate, although not a pun, it shows that now instead of wooing or taming her he is care for her. On line 130, Petruchio mixes together the common phrases ‘Better late than never’ and ‘It’s never too late to mend’. Petruchio is characterized as witty and well spoken. His mixture of phrases gives the idea that he doesn’t always have that witty exterior. This conversation between the two of them has shown both the individual growth and the growth as a couple.