Taming of the Shrew- Modern Audience

‘It is impossible for a modern audience to feel comfortable with ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. With close reference to Shakespeare’s presentation of Katherina comic conventions, and having the above question in mind, write about your response to the ending of the play. It is often thought that ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ (ToTS) is not suitable for modern audiences and that they would not enjoy it as a viewer. This is an obvious interpretation for a modern audience because of social conventions within modern society today. A main reason for it not being compatible with the audience is the presentation of females within the play, especially Katherina and the presentation of the marriage between Katherina and Petruchio. However, it could be said that a modern audience can feel comfortable with it because of the historical content and the play’s setting within the Shakespearian society which had different conventions to todays.
The powerful language used by Katherina at the end at the end of the play to describe men makes me as a viewer feel uncomfortable while watching ToTS. “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign.” The repetition in this line emphasises the conformity that Katherina has succumb to after her marriage to Petruchio. This is amplified by the use of alliteration by the use of the word ‘thy’ and also the words ‘lord’ and ‘life’. Shakespeare uses these techniques to show how Katherina has been changed by Petruchio and adopted the persona of’Kate’, a tamed wife. This ‘Kate’ is a far cry from the Katherina presented at the beginning of the play. The Katherina met in Act 2 of the play represents a fearless woman from the era who defies society’s conventions, contrasting with the completely changed character at the end of the play. “Asses are made for bearing, and so are you.” This line stresses the transformation Katherina undertakes and juxtaposes her personality at the beginning and her attitude towards Petruchio at the end