Women In The Taming Of The Shrew

William Shakespeare was a man ahead of his time, in his words, in his actions and in his notions, including his stance on feminism. His play, The Taming of the Shrew, demonstrates his views on women and the views of the male-dominant Italian society. Even though Katherine and Bianca live in a society dominated by men, they are still successful in retaining their independence as women. The sisters are able to remain independent from their father, their husbands and the men around them who all are given authority over them. Though examining the two characters’ actions to gain independence, on can recognize Shakespeare’s views on feminism and its impact to the society. In order to secure herself and her independence in the society, Katherine
152 - 195)
Her obedience and trust can definitely be perceived from the soliloquy, and it is these acts of obedience that has gained her her freedom. She earned Petruchio’s trust, in turn, she is able to do as she likes as long as she is faithful to him. With this transformation, Katherine is also aware of her social standings as a wife of a wealthy gentleman. Her new social position allows her to effectively order about the servants and people of lesser social standings. She is able to retain her independence with the power to command, even as a woman. Similarly, Bianca is well able to retain her independence of women when she became married. She had acted most gentle and “proper” before she had gotten married. This was a clever ruse to allow her to capture her chance at marriage. With marriage to Lucentio, who had succumbed to her charms, she achieves infinite freedom. She is able to disobey her husband’s calling as it can be seen in the following lines: “Sir, my mistress sends you word | That she is busy and she cannot come ” (Shakespeare V ii, ll. 87-89). Bianca is able to act as she wants and to be independent, while benefitting from her status as a married woman and her husband’s