The Taming of the Shrew Is a Misogynistic Text

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The Taming of the Shrew is a misogynistic text. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Discuss. The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare is a play depicting the story of a woman, Katherina Minola, and her struggles against Petruchio, the man she was forced to marry. Petruchio forces Katherina (Kate) to change from an abrasive, bad tempered, ill mouthed shrew into a perfect, docile, honey-tongued wife. Written between 1590 and 1594, it has claimed the title of one of Shakespeare's earliest Comedies and also one of his most controversial works. Particularly for modern audiences, Petruchio and his methods are what have earned this play its name as a highly misogynistic text. Via abuse, public humiliation and starvation he finally attains his goal of taming Katherina. Petruchio, a wealthy and unmarried gentlemen from Verona, wishes a wife. Katherina is incredibly ill tempered and somewhat childish, however her large dowry is an irresistible temptation to Petruchio and he marries her against her vicious protests; however, due to her unfavourable temperament, he soon finds everything about her displeasing(?) and begins to ‘tame the shrew’. This taming is unconventionally achieved by (and so adequately described as) "kill[ing] a wife with kindness" (4, 1, 174). “I pray you, husband, be not so disquiet. / The meat was well, if you were so contented.” “I tell thee, Kate, ‘twas burnt and dried away” (4, 1, 139-141). As this quote shows, he refuses her food and rest until she becomes the submissive and stereotypical wife he desires. This desired relationship between Petruchio and his wife Katherina, is aptly compared (by Petruchio) as to those of a falcon and a falconer. “My falcon now is sharp and passing empty; / And till she stoop she must not be full-gorged, / For then she never looks upon her lure. / Another way I have to man my haggard, / To make

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