Shakespeare uses the Induction to give the reader a notion as to what to expect, and introduce a number of crucial themes evident throughout the play. The Induction serves as a mirror to the rest of the play, emphasizes the theme of mistaken identities, and constitutes the Taming of the Shrew as a play within a play. This aspect of the Induction gives rise to the importance of performance, which has a drastic effect on one's interpretation of the play. The play is portrayed as the dream of a drunken tinker, and therefore is, in effect, a farce performed

for Sly. Shakespeare also raises the issue of the hierarchy and its subsequent power in this scene. He uses Sly as an other, allowing him to enter the realm of aristocracy, and define it by contrast. The hierarchy is mocked when the drunken tinker is disguised as a lord, and even more so when Sly attempts to exercise his patriarchal power.

Petruchio adopts his disguise as a violent and impatient man purely for Kate's benefit, "Amid this hurly I intend/That all is done in reverent care for her." (IV.1.190) His absurd actions enable Kate to disregard outward appearance and find the real Petruchio. Kate also begins to shed her own disguise of a shrew when she realizes that Petruchio will accept her for what she is, a witty and self-spoken woman. His mindless rage and irrational behavior is a performance, and a deliberate parody of Kate's own behavior. Petruchio reveals his intentions when he throws a fit at the tailor after seeing Kate's gown, but has Hortensio pay him discretely, reinforcing that he is performing solely for Kate's benefit. Petruchio implies that he is interested in marriage only for money, disguising his real desire for a challenging and intellectual partner that he can treat as an equal. Shakespeare uses him as an other to establish the traditional view of marriage. By distinguishing between his marriage as opposed to the traditional, it is apparent that a obedient, wealthy wife is valued over an independent and intelligent woman, and business is valued over true love. Petruchio chooses to perform the role of Kate, holding a mirror up to her so that she realizes she can abandon her mask, because he loves her for who she is.

Shakespeare introduces each character as a distinct personality. As the play unfolds, the reader is given subtle indications that the roles performed by these characters contrast their identities. Bianca is portrayed as a mild, submissive, obedient, and consequently desirable woman. She acts as a literary foil to Kate, who is depicted as an intolerable and violent shrew in constant opposition to everything around her. Luciento remarks, "But in the other's silence, do I see maid's mild behavior and sobriety" (I.1.71), further developing the sisters as opposing characters. Petruchio is illustrated as a violent, witty, cynical man seeking to marry strictly for money. The characters are actors, and it is through their performance that they triumph. Each freely changes and chooses their roles in order to manipulate the patriarchy and gender biases in society, and ultimately gain power in the end.

Kate's speech is a summation of the ideals of wifely obedience, and may be viewed as a final act of submission to her husband. When one considers the performance value of the scene, it is apparent that Katherine holds the power, and she has used her intellect to manipulate the patriarchy. She states that women are foolish to "offer war when they should sue for peace", (V.2.161) implying that it is useless for women to fight masculine superiority i

Some common words found in the essay are:
Shrew Shakespeare, IV521-22 Kate, Petruchio Kate, III117-20 Bianca, Taming Shrew, Christophero Sly, Bianca Petrucio, Sly Shakespeare, Shakespeare Induction, IV52 Kate, culturally constructed, taming shrew, constructed hierarchy, culturally constructed hierarchy, power lies, changes chooses roles, katherine bianca, sly katherine, manipulate patriarchy, roles manipulate, chooses roles, freely changes chooses, society ultimately gain, own behavior, ultimately gain power,
Approximate Word count = 2043
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)