To What Extent Is Petruchios Taming of Kate Comic?
To what extent is Petruchio’s “taming” of Kate comic?
It could be seen that it is a valid interpretation that Petruchio's methods of "taming" Kate are comic. Petruchio's methods of "taming" Kate may have been appropriate comedy material for the 16th Century audience, but most modern audiences find Petruchio's "taming" methods to be neither amusing nor acceptable. A contemporary audience would have found Kate being "tamed" humerous. However, Kate adapts and gains power in society where she is oppressed, the modern audience would find this amusing.
Shakespeare uses various methods to make the “taming” of Kate comical. For example, when Petruchio and Kate first meet in Act 2, Petruchio toys with Kate by doing the complete opposite of what she wants and says. For instance, when Petruchio calls her “Kate”, she replies with “They call me Katherine that do talk of me” (2.1.180) After Kate has stated that she does not wish to be referred to as “Kate”, Petruchio continues to disobey by calling her “Kate” a further 10 times. A modern audience may find this scene amusing as Kate has not been physically hurt, but teased and mocked which is common within modern comedies.
Petruchio’s soliloquy from (2.1.164) to (2.1.176) suggests he is confident about his “taming” methods as we are further informed about the ways he will use to “woo her (Kate) with some spirit”. Petruchio expects Kate to listen to him and submit. The “wooing” scene between Petruchio and Kate in Act 2 is intended to be comical, the playful and witty repetition of Kate’s name and sexual puns such as “What, with my tongue in your tale?” that Petruchio makes, suggests this. We also know that Petruchio outperforms Kate on verbal acuity and wit. When Kate strikes Petrucio, he resorts to replying “I swear I’ll cuff you if you strike again!” This seems to put both Petruchio and Kate on equal footing. They seem well matched for eachother, therefore the audience would want them to reconcile their differences. This
It could be seen that it is a valid interpretation that Petruchio's methods of "taming" Kate are comic. Petruchio's methods of "taming" Kate may have been appropriate comedy material for the 16th Century audience, but most modern audiences find Petruchio's "taming" methods to be neither amusing nor acceptable. A contemporary audience would have found Kate being "tamed" humerous. However, Kate adapts and gains power in society where she is oppressed, the modern audience would find this amusing.
Shakespeare uses various methods to make the “taming” of Kate comical. For example, when Petruchio and Kate first meet in Act 2, Petruchio toys with Kate by doing the complete opposite of what she wants and says. For instance, when Petruchio calls her “Kate”, she replies with “They call me Katherine that do talk of me” (2.1.180) After Kate has stated that she does not wish to be referred to as “Kate”, Petruchio continues to disobey by calling her “Kate” a further 10 times. A modern audience may find this scene amusing as Kate has not been physically hurt, but teased and mocked which is common within modern comedies.
Petruchio’s soliloquy from (2.1.164) to (2.1.176) suggests he is confident about his “taming” methods as we are further informed about the ways he will use to “woo her (Kate) with some spirit”. Petruchio expects Kate to listen to him and submit. The “wooing” scene between Petruchio and Kate in Act 2 is intended to be comical, the playful and witty repetition of Kate’s name and sexual puns such as “What, with my tongue in your tale?” that Petruchio makes, suggests this. We also know that Petruchio outperforms Kate on verbal acuity and wit. When Kate strikes Petrucio, he resorts to replying “I swear I’ll cuff you if you strike again!” This seems to put both Petruchio and Kate on equal footing. They seem well matched for eachother, therefore the audience would want them to reconcile their differences. This