Taming Of The Shrew Sexism Analysis

From Sexism to Social Reformation

Many actions and ideologies of the characters in The Taming of the Shrew create an overarching conflict between comedy and sexism for most readers. Specifically, the relationships between the men and women introduce controversial topics such as obedience and love which must be questioned thoroughly. The conditions of Petruchio and Katherine’s marriage was more “traditional” in the sense that it was primarily patriarchal, and that Kate was expected to be subservient and obedient. While this is sexist, on the surface, this was not the intended meaning behind the works. Rather, this was meant to convey how outlandish such common ideologies were in an increasingly sophisticated society. By using extreme examples

Money was to come first, and love thereafter. The men were the ones to talk about the “business” behind the marriage, while the woman was traded around like a commodity. The proceedings between Tranio and Baptista for the consent to marry Bianca accentuated this precisely. “I must confess your offer is the best, and, let your father make her the assurance, she is your own. . .” (2. 1. 408-410). Like an auctioneer standing at the block, Baptista ‘sold’ his daughter off to the highest bidder. However, whether willing or unwilling, it was certain that Bianca was to be married off eventually. Because, unlike in modern society, women were considered ‘unfit’ to live independently and forced into marriages, as shown especially in Kate’s ‘taming’ by Petruchio. Because the society was entirely male-driven, both sisters “have no option but marriage and will be utterly dependent on whatever husband they can get” (Adney

Kate is sworn off by her community while Petruchio gets to share a laugh with the other men, despite having arguably acted worse than her. Shakespeare intended for the viewers of the play to leave feeling guilty about the harshness Kate met; an inequality that is only apparent when done so excessively, especially considering the patriarchal forces in society at that time. Unlike Katherine, many women of that time would not have been given the opportunity to speak and act so boldly without severe punishment. Because of this, Shakespeare used her character as a medium through which to make society question its practices behind the thin veil of