Role of Women in Shakespears The Taming of the Shrew :: The Taming of the Shrew

Role of Women in The Taming of the Shrew The Taming of the Shrew is a great example of Shakespears use of women. Shakespeare indeed does transcend the stereotypes of his own time. In Shakespeares, The Taming of the Shrew the relationship between the sisters Katherine and Bianca appears to be strained with rampant jealousy. both daughters fight for the attentions of their father. In twisted parallel roles, they take turns being overmodest and hag-like. Father of the two, Baptista Minola, fusses with potential suitors for young Bianca and will not let them have a go at it calling until his elder, ill-tempered daughter Katherine is married. The reader is to assume that meek, mild-mannered, delicate Bianca is expend away while her much older, aging, brutish sister torments the family with her foul tongue. Katherine seems to check over resentment toward Bianca. Her father favors Bianca over Katherine and keeps them away from each others torment. When gentlemen come callin g, Bianca cowers git her father and Katherine speaks up for herself. I pray you sir, is it your will to make a stale of me amongst these mates? (1.1.57-58) Bianca and Katherine dislike each other feverishly. Katherine torments Bianca with words and corporeal harm. She binds her hands, pulls her hair then brings her forth to her father and the gentlemen callers. Bianca denies liking any of the visitors and portrays herself an simple that merely wants to learn and obey her elders. She says, Sister, content you in my discontent to your amusement humbly I subscribe. My books and instruments shall be my company, on them to look and practise by myself. (1.1.80-84) Because Katherine speaks freely and asserts herself she is labeled as shrewish. When Hortensio describes her to Petruccio, he spews out that she is renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue. ( 1.2.96) He gilds the lily further by clearly telling of her moderately spate if suitable man comes courting and wins he r hand in marriage. Petruccio sees horse signs and rushes onwards in grand dress and fluently gestures to court the humane Kate. When he first begins his ritual of winning the family and Katherine to his love, he is seeking his fortune in her dowry. The mention of her being at all undesirable does not put rocks in his path.