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

Role of Women in The Taming of the termagant The Taming of the Shrew is a keen 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 crusade for the attentions of their incur. In twisted parallel roles, they take turns being demure and hag-like. baffle of the two, Baptista Minola, fusses with potential suitors for young Bianca and will not let them come business until his elder, ill-tempered daughter Katherine is married. The reader is to assume that meek, mild-mannered, delicate Bianca is wasting remote while her much older, aging, brutish sister torments the family with her foul tongue. Katherine seems to hold rancour toward Bianca. Her father favors Bianca over Katherine and keeps them away from each others torment. When gentlemen come calling, Bianca co wers behind her father and Katherine speaks up for herself. I pray you sir, is it your will to make a make of me amongst these mates? (1.1.57-58) Bianca and Katherine dislike each other feverishly. Katherine torments Bianca with words and physical harm. She binds her hands, pulls her pilus then brings her forth to her father and the gentlemen callers. Bianca denies liking any of the visitors and portrays herself an innocent that besides wants to learn and obey her elders. She says, Sister, content you in my discontent to your pleasure meekly 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 call down tongue. ( 1.2.96) He gilds the lily further by clearly telling of her fair muckle if suitable man comes courting and wins her hand in m arriage. Petruccio sees dollar signs and rushes in the lead in grand dress and fluently gestures to court the gracious 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 institutionalise rocks in his path.