The Changing Meaning of The Taming of The Shrew Essay

The Changing Meaning of The Taming of The Shrew Through the ages, it is common for words to change in meaning. As the world around us changes, words often take on new meanings to accommodate the changes in lifestyle and society caused by progress. Thus, it is easy to become confused when reading literature that was written several centuries before, since the very same words may hold varying significance. In The Taming of the Scold, D.E. Underdown offers background information which makes Shakespeares The Taming of The Shrew much more understandable in terms of the discordant ideas on women in society in different time periods. The Taming of the Shrew has a much different effect on contemporary readers than it may have had†¦show more content†¦In Petruccios version of a cucking-stool, he intended to put Kate through much difficulty so that he could make her see the error of her ways, as well as gain control of her. In The Taming of a Scold, Underdown states that female independence is sometimes portrayed sympathetically (p.117). At the time it was written, Kates obstinence may have been humorous, but most women would not be able to relate with her behavior from their personal experience; yet they would be able to understand her ultimate acquiescence to Petruccio. However, in contemporary times, it is expected that women stand up for themselves and shirk any means of domination. In this way, they can relate to Kates early behavior of opposition but can not understand her later submitting to Petruccios efforts to control her. Depending on the era, women can sympathize with different aspects of Kates behavior, but much of it must be considered in the respective social context before all of her behavior may be fully understood as it was written. Underdown helps to place Kates conduct in relation to her time so that modern readers may more thoroughly understand it. Underdowns discussion of the crisis in gender relations not only heightened my awareness of the significance in Kates conduct, but also gave me new insight as to why Shakespeare may have written the play. Through Underdowns argument I was able to determine that The Taming of the Shrew was not written solely forShow MoreRelatedTaming Of The Shrew And 10 Thing I Hate About You1063 Words   |  5 Pagesin â€Å"Taming of the Shrew† and â€Å"10 Thing I Hate About You† because in both of the films, the main male characters Patrick and Petruchio are predominantly motivated by money. However, they ended up falling for Kat and Katharina who have been set up as the archetypal shrews in both films. During the Elizabethan era money was a major factor that influenced society’s view of your personal wealth. this is clearly reflected in the 1967 film text but is not evident in the 1998 version due to changing ideologiesRead MoreComparing Poisonwood Bible And Taming Of The Sh rew1443 Words   |  6 PagesBible and Taming of the Shrew The Poisonwood Bible and Taming of the Shrew are two works of literature that . The Poisonwood Bible, written by Barbara Kingsolver, is a story about the Price family’s journey deep into the heart of the Congo on a mission to save the unenlightened souls of Africa. Nathan Price, the Baptist minister responsible for moving his family, lives solely by his own rigid and simplistic moral code. Taming of the Shrew is one of William Shakespeare’s first comedies. Taming of theRead More Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare2183 Words   |  9 Pages Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew An exploration of the way Shakespeare presents the characters and relationships of Kate and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. The relationship between Kate and Petruchio is central to the development of The Taming of the Shrew, as both characters clearly represent and are centrally involved in the main theme of the play, the taming of the shrew, Kate. The audience is first introduced to Kate by other characters opinions of herRead MoreThe Taming Of The Shrew By William Shakespeare1382 Words   |  6 PagesIn Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, women are shown to be objectified and subservient to men, conforming to the accepted gender roles that are expected of them. Patriarchal views of femininity support the authority of men in society, as well as subjugation and subordination of women. As written of the representation of women in early literature, â€Å"the focus of interest is on the heroine’s choice of marriage partner, which will decide her ultimate social position and †¦ determine her happinessRead MoreAnalysis Of Controlling Katherine : The Cruelty, Abuse, And Manipulation Of Petruchios Language1542 Words   |  7 Pagesis their status as â€Å"a handy repository of exempla, cautionary tales, and wonderfully vivid scenes and characters† (Hume 64). One of Shakespeare’s plays that both can serve as cautionary tale and contains vibrant scene s and characters is The Taming of the Shrew, particularly evident in the tempestuous duo of Katherine and Petruchio. While audiences tend to see the play through the lens of romantic comedy, there is another side to Petruchio that necessitates close reading. Analysis of Petruchio’sRead MoreMarriage and Relationships in William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew2278 Words   |  10 PagesMarriage and Relationships in William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew Getting married in modern times is not something which is viewed as necessary. There are many couples that are together, but do not want to marry, because they do not feel they have to. Couples that do, can have a marriage almost anywhere they choose. Couples can marry in houses, shopping centres and even petrol stations. Anywhere you can get a marriage licence and a vicar, is seen as a place fitRead MoreHow Normal is a Person Based on Merchant of Venice and Taming of the Shrew1046 Words   |  4 PagesSociety places value on a person based either on who they are, what they believe, or how much money they make. What happens when society places value on how â€Å"normal† a person is? Using the texts of â€Å"Merchant of Venice† and â€Å"Taming of the Shrew†, I will argue that in dealing with difference, society often unintentionally annihilates it; but what remains in its wake is often far more disturbing. Religion is one of the most dividing forces in a society. At the time of â€Å"Merchant of Venice† Jews stoodRead MoreShakespeare and Women vs. Society and Queen Elizabeth Essay1366 Words   |  6 Pagesdie, (5.3) This shows Shakespeares thoughts on the nurturing and caring side that all women have and how amazing the feeling is to be loved by a woman. In The Taming of the Shrew, Katherine rejects all men and doesnt conform to the role desired by her of society. Instead she acts in a manner only approved for men and thus is named a shrew by society. I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell? (1.1) With this, WilliamRead MoreHow Is the Relationship between Benedick and Beatrice Presented in Shakespeare’s Play and One or More Performed Versions?1431 Words   |  6 Pagesthey are still the same people that they once knew and maybe even loved suggested by the phrase ‘QUOTE’. They continue on with their regular flirtatious witticism wars and we can start to see that they care for each other through their attitudes changing when they are around one another, as if they are only comfortable being themselves together. When the characters are tricked into thinking that the other loves, they realise that they truly do have feelings for the other and this brings them togetherRead MoreSocieties Destructive Behavior around ‘Normal’1776 Words   |  7 Pages Society places value on a person based either on who they are, what they believe, or how much money they make. What happens when society places value on how â€Å"normal† a person is? Using the texts of â€Å"Merchant of Venice† and â€Å"Taming of the Shrew† I will argue that in dealing with difference, society often unintentionally annihilates it; but what remains in its wake is often far more disturbing. Religion is one of the most dividing forces in a society. At the time of â€Å"Merchant of Venice† Jews were