Taming Of The Shrew Comparative Essay

A close analysis of the characters can reveal the attitudes and values of the two societies in which the texts, Shakespeare's play, The Taming Of The Shrew, and Junger’s film, 10 Things I Hate About You, were composed. An investigation of the Protagonists in each text, Katherina and Petruchio, and Kat and Patrick allows an insight into the attitudes and values of the societies in which each text was set.
Through the character of Petruchio in The Taming Of The Shrew, Shakespeare demonstrates the patriarchal values of society and the dominance of men in the Elizabethan Era. We see that wealth is valued in society which is Petruchio’s main motive to wive. Repetition and high modality is used to show Petruchio is only interested in money, “I come
Katherina is regarded throughout Padua as a shrew as a result of her behaviour. We learn that obedience in women is valued through Katherina’s disobedience and reputation, imperative, “No mates for you, until you were of gentler, milder mould,” illustrates Hortensio’s disregard for Katherina as she does not conform to the norms of society. In Elizabethan Society marriage was highly valued and was expected by women. Women were expected to serve and respect their husband. As Katherina does not conform to the norms of society and Bianca does, Bianca is the one who the suitors wish to woo. This angers Katherina, “I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day.” After Katherina marries Petruchio, Petruchio tames her and turns her from a shrew to a normal women. Society no longer sees Katherina as a Shrew, “Now go thy ways; thou hast tam’d a curst shrow.” This illustrates the expectations of society for to love and serve their husband. Through a close analysis of the character Katherina, we learn the patriarchal attitudes towards women and marriage evident in the Elizabethan