The Taming Of The Shrew Theme
In Shakespeare's comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew," one of the most important themes is that what a person is really like is more important than how they appear to be. One of the main ways that the this is shown is by mistaken identity. This is shown by Petruchio's relationship with Katherine; the changing roles of Tranio, Lucentio, and Hortensio; and the true characters of Bianca and Katherine. All three of these situations help to build the theme. The first thing that supports the theme is Petruchio's relationship with Katherine. When we first meet Petruchio, he is only after the money of Katherine, and accepts her harshness as simply a goal he must overcome. He is mistaken for a person who is only after money, not love at all. Yet when he meets Kate, he begins to fall for her. While he still argues and attempts to train her, it is for his own benefit. He wants her to be less harsh so she can fall in love with him. Petruchio ends up truly caring for and loving Kate, despite the front he puts up before having his true identity revealed. As a result of this Katherina, whom we thought would never love anyone, at the end of the story is the only wife who comes when she is beckoned. The other wives
The most effective way Shakespeare demonstrates this theme is through Bianca and Kate. On the outside, Kate appears harsh, cruel and frightening to all of the characters. She is violent and vengeful which is shown when she says, "I will go and weep Till I can find occasion of revenge." (Shakespeare, act 2, ll. 35-36). Even her father is scared of her uncontrolable temper, begging anyone to marry her. Yet as her relationship with Petruchio grows, her true identity emerges. She becomes much less of a shrew, her mistaken identity, and begins to become a benevolent person, her true identity (Tillyard, pp. 75). This overcomes her other self and shines through. Despite all of her outward appearances, she is truly a good person in her heart. Yet Bianca's scenario is different . She is perceived as a sweet and gentle person, a false precept, devoting herself to her studies and never wanting anything else out of life. Yet once she achieves her goal, to be married, her true self appears. She becomes quarrelsome and apathetic, not coming at the call of Lucentio or accusing him of simply hunting her, not at all caring for her. After Mistaken identity is the main conflict of this play, yet it also serves to tell the reader or audience what the theme is. Through appearance changes, character relationships, and inner personalities, the theme is displayed, the theme being that what someone's real identity is mo
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 967
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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