Is taming of the shrew sexist. Sexism In The Taming Of The Shrew Essay Essay 2022-12-31
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The Taming of the Shrew is a play by William Shakespeare that was written in the late 16th century. It tells the story of a wealthy merchant named Baptista Minola who has two daughters, one of whom is a strong-willed and independent woman named Katherine, or the "shrew" of the play's title. Katherine's younger sister, Bianca, is considered more desirable because she is gentle and obedient, and as a result, Baptista has placed a condition on Bianca's marriage: no one can marry her until Katherine is married first. This leads to a series of comic misunderstandings and plots as various suitors try to win Katherine's hand.
The play has been widely criticized for its portrayal of Katherine and its treatment of women in general. Many have argued that the play is sexist because it portrays Katherine as a "shrew" who must be tamed and subdued by a man in order to be considered desirable. The character of Katherine is depicted as stubborn, obstinate, and lacking in self-control, and it is only through the efforts of her eventual husband, Petruchio, that she is able to become a more obedient and submissive wife.
However, it is important to recognize that The Taming of the Shrew was written in a very different time period with very different cultural values. In Elizabethan England, it was expected that women would be obedient and submissive to their husbands, and the play can be seen as a reflection of these societal expectations. It is also important to recognize that the play is a comedy, and as such, it is meant to be humorous and satirical. It is not meant to be taken literally or as a serious representation of gender roles.
That being said, it is undeniable that The Taming of the Shrew has a problematic portrayal of women and gender roles. Katherine's character arc, in which she is transformed from a strong-willed and independent woman into a submissive and obedient wife, is troubling and reinforces harmful gender stereotypes. Additionally, the play's portrayal of women as property to be traded and negotiated for by men is deeply problematic and reinforces damaging ideas about women's worth and agency.
In conclusion, while The Taming of the Shrew was a product of its time and should not be judged solely through a modern lens, it is undeniable that the play has a problematic portrayal of women and gender roles. While it may have been intended as a comedic and satirical look at societal expectations, it ultimately reinforces harmful and damaging ideas about women and their place in society.
Sexism In The Taming Of The Shrew Essay Essay
What we do talk about is the struggle for the future of a country - about the conflict between the old ways and the new ways, about what is gained and what is lost by 'progress', and about how this is represented by the conflict between Blanche and Stanley. But most of the time and honestly, all throughout this thread , it's meant somewhat like "I don't want to think about these things, stop talking about it". The Taming of the Shrew runs through March 21. The 'Taming of the Shrew' is set in 16th century Padua, Italy. I've noticed that in our culture, you can generally make a decision on any basis you want except morals. Shakespeare writes of Petruchio and Kate, a male and female who sharply oppose each other.
Sexism in Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
Leading into my final subject the role of women in these 10 Things I Hate About You Themes 992 Words 4 Pages Power was a huge part in Taming of the Shrew. I just don't find it a great source of laughter. When Kate chooses to join the performance, the two enter into one of the most wonderful partnerships in Shakespeare. FWIW, I think that any relationship, regardless of gender politics, is about compromise - I've literally had that very conversation with someone about ten minutes ago, in the bar I'm typing this from. The reality is that the audience Shakespeare was writing for would 'buy' into certain premises, contexts and characterizations that would feel naturally plausible and sensible for them, and maybe a little alien or objectionable to us.
Petruchio is an uncouth man, most surely. Lewis, wrote for his goddaughter Lucy. There are however some sexist elements in the story, but just because there are certain characteristics of sexism in a play does not mean the play in itself is sexist and demeaning towards women. If there is sexism in this play, I tend to think Shakespeare takes an untraditional approach and shows women controlling men--beginning with Bianca's manipulation of her father. You must also take into account the attitudes of sixteenth century England and the fact that the play is a comedy and I don't think it's meant to be taken seriously.
The Taming of the Shrew: Sexism & Female Oppression
It is the Shakespearean society that is offending us, not Shakespeare himself. Women brought dowries and the ability to produce heirs. He was forced to act like that because the household was seen as the miniature government of a larger society. The final monologue is a tongue-in-cheek-cheek set of instructions for the other ladies on how to manage their men to achieve the same. One is very shrewish, Katherine, while …show more content… Others have asserted that the roles of women in his plays were prominent for the time and culture that he lived in,his intent in creating characters to inspire much controversy. Does she mean what she says in her Neither Kathrine nor Petruchio is "normal" by Padua standards.
Don't be so quick to judge this play just because it centers around a very woeful topic, even more so in this day and age. I've never quite understood what they mean. Petruchio is basically saying that the only opinion Sexism in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare Essay example Sexism in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare The Taming Of The Shrew by William Shakespeare is an introduction in the everpresent battle of women to be loving and caring wives, while at the same time holding on to our independence. Most of the "taming" is itself an over-the-top affair. Typically steered towards women, it has played a large part in not only our society today but in the past as well. Over the course of the play, she is brought from someone largely outside of proper society to a married, respected member of it.
On the other hand, I didn't think Bianca's marriage was going to be as happy. Taming of the Shrew deals with Kate and Bianca, two sisters who are at the time to he married off. Most of the writers were still young when the Queen died, Shakespeare, for example, started writing his well known plays after her death. You could argue that she doesn't have a reason to help Petruchio win his bet, that she could stick two fingers up at him by throwing a tantrum and proving she can't be tamed - but if she plays along, it's a massive fuck you to everyone else in the room who thought she was nothing but a shrew. He takes her away from the home she is used to, with servants and maids to wait on her hand and foot, to the country.
The play is all about men manipulating women and making them something they are not. Petruchio in the play, abuses, starves, and breaks Katherine down to the point of submission. When I read TOS I felt very much that the marriage between Petrucio and Katherine was going to work - for both of them. . Many times throughout this play, language is used to show that women are inferior to men. However, many critics feel that there is a subtext to the play.
How much more helpful, and encouraging, to suggest something like: 'Look again at the text. Through analyzing said roles one can derive insights regarding the esteem of women and how the relative devaluing of women shaped normal gender roles. Ophelia, Queen Gertrude, Lady Macbeth, and Juliet Capulet are just a few female heroines that are accused of being feeble or heinous. Propellor is an all-male company, which makes for some interesting and original or at least, unconventional performances when sexual politics come into play. Her negativity was caused by her younger, more pulchritudinous sister Bianca.
Sexism in the 16th Century: The Taming of the Shrew
The theme of the play and the way in which it was formatted made the play seem silly and less harsh when regarding the topic of taming a woman especially with Queen Elizabeth I on the throne. Frankly, I'm not convinced it's a clear statement at all. But it's dated sexism doesn't make it a bad play. The sense of balancing spheres of influence also comes up when they first return to Petruchio's house. Kate is seen as a shrew because she is strong willed and unlike most women of the time. .
