Analysis of Taming of the Shrew and the Zefferelli film
Shakespeare's play, "The Taming of the Shrew," continues to be enjoyed over 500 years since it was composed. It remains popular because aspects of the play keep changing to suit the current society. The film "The Taming of the Shrew," by Franco Zefferelli, has been modified to suit the 1960s. However, though many aspects in this appropriation have been reworked, the fundamental themes of deception and disguise remain as inherent to the human condition as ever and ultimately this is what will intrigue and draw readers to this comedy for years to come. Zefferelli's version of "Taming of the Shrew" is in the form of film. It was produced in the 1960s when the 'battle of the sexes' was being waged most vehemently, and thus it was a time ripe for another interpretation of this much-loved play. Obviously, the medium of film was unheard of during Shakespeare's time and offers a great number of dramatic devices that can be used to convey Shakespeare's message of deception in human relationships. Transforming the play by Shakespeare into a visual form of a film also makes the play more appealing to the younger audience. Most of the play's humour and its thematic core comes from the way in which characters create false realities by
The greatest deception in the play, however seems to be how Katherine acts. Initially, she is a shrewish and strong willed woman, who is often provoked into violence. Petruchio, a young bachelor, decides to tame her into respectable and obedient wife. After various adventures in this taming process, Katherine arrives at her sister's wedding and produces an impressive affirmation of man's superiority and woman's subservience in the play's final scene. (I am ashamed that women are so simple To offer war where they should kneel for peace, Or seek rule, supremacy, and sway, When they are bound to serve, love, and obey.) (Act V, scene ii, l. 161 - 164). Everyone present is gob smacked by the amazing taming of the infamous shrew. However, though many interpret the play, and Katherine's final soliloquy, as being that of a woman finally submitting to society's expectations, it is difficult to believe that a character as vibrant and strong-willed as Katherine is changed so easily. Following with the device of false realities that Shakespeare set in place so early in the play, it would seem more logical that Katherine would simply be acting the part of 'the obedient wife' in order to be accepted in the society in which she lives. Katherine can 'play a part' very well and can even enjoy doing it. This is
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Approximate Word count = 877
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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