Free Essays,College Free Essays,Free College Essays at Anti Essays

In the Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio recognizes, respects and

desires Kate's intelligence and strength of character. He does not

want to conquer or truly tame her. He is a man who is very confident

in himself and does not want or need someone to massage his ego.

Petruchio seems to me to be a man of sport and challenge and likes to

surround himself with witty, challenging people. He wants in a mate

what Kate has - fire.



From Petruchio's response to his friend Hortensio (I.ii.64-75),

it might be said that Petruchio came to Padua to make himself richer

by marriage, to any woman, no matter how wretched. Petruchio is not

in desperate need of money (I.ii.56-57). He tells Hortensio

(I.ii.49-57) that his father has died and that he is out in the world

to gain experiences he cannot at home and only secondarily to find a

wife. Also, immediately before this declaration, is the scene of

misunderstanding between he and his servant Grumio about knocking on

the gate (I.ii.5-43). I see this exchange as demonstration of his

enjoyment of verbal sport, a good example of Petruchio's sense of

humor and his appreciation of things non-conventional. Though

Petruchio may not agree with what society has determined to be proper

and dignified, he is aware of the importance of appearing to conform.

In what he says to Hortensio, I feel he is simply extending this sport

and humor into the ironic.



It is in Hortensio's description of Kate that I believe

Petruchio's interest is captured. Hortensio describes Kate

(I.ii.85-89) as wealthy, young, beautiful, properly brought up

intolerably cursed,...