The Taming Of The Shrew Conflict Analysis

The primary conflict within Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” involves Petruchio’s attempt to “tame” his wife, Katherine. conflict is obviously a person vs person confrontation and exists within their courting and marriage process. In terms of “taming,” Petruchio does not desire to help his wife overcome some form of savage mental illness or anything so valorous. Rather, he desires to assert his dominance over her hot headedness. While she is initially presented in a negative light when compared to her beautiful sister, Bianca, Katherine is then presented positively when she decides to conform to her husband’s wishes—in both behavioral and ideological fashions. Other conflicts within the play are created by Lucentio’s courting of Bianca in spite of her father’s wishes and Christopher Sly’s confused identity.

No character is seen as the pure primary protagonist in “The Taming of the Shrew.” Rather, the play is spattered with numerous characters who eventually comprise three separate and differing couples. These couples are as follows: Katherine and Petruchio, Lucentio and Bianca, and Hortensio and a widow who is a much more minor character. In addition to these couples, Bianca’s father, Baptista is a force in the play who initially restricts the Bianca-Lucentio marriage. Lastly,

The play within the play also occurs during the Renaissance period. Lucentio and Petruchio are from the city of Verona and are in Padua in order to engage their respective romantic pursuits. Specifically, the action of the play occurs during Bianca’s lessons and within her and Baptista’s home. Additionally, all the characters attend Hortensio’s wedding and a banquet that follows it, and Katherine and Petruchio are inferred to have spent time together in bed. Finally, Christopher Sly’s own life has commenced in the English countryside and his experience in the play occurs in a lord’s