Premium Essay

Kate In The Shrew Identity

Submitted By
Words 1847
Pages 8
A person, renowned as a shrew, vile, ill-mannered, very appealing, but no one to love and no one to love her. A person, who no one respects or thinks well of her. You can imagine what it’s like to be identified as a shrew when all you’re trying to do is defend yourself from people who hurt you. This is Kate. She has been treated poorly by the people she is closest to, by people around her and is emotionally hurt, but doesn’t know it. Her shrewishness only happened to occur from her defensiveness from the people that hurt her. How would you identify Kate? A girl who has no respect towards others? or a girl who is protecting herself from hurtful people? Identity is a fact of being who or what a person or a thing is. Identity is who someone really is, not just on the outside, but also who they really are on the inside.William Shakespeare does a good job in The Taming of the Shrew, showing different characters’ identity by expressing who they really are through a series of events throughout the book. …show more content…
In Act I, Kate is treated unfairly compared to Bianca, which leads to an egregious relationship she has with her father. Hortensio and Gremio has to find a husband or a “madman” for Kate in order to marry Bianca. Petruchio who is shrewd or crazy sees an opportunity to marry Kate for money and contrives a way to woo her. Kate feels unloved and jealous of Bianca because so many men pine for her love, meanwhile no one wants to get close to Kate. Kate is comfortable identified as a shrew not because she is one, but because she has to defend herself. In real life as in Kate’s case, we are all more comfortable with the identities that we have created for ourselves as opposed to the ones assigned to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Taming of the Shrew

...Skyler Conklin Dr. Boecherer 04/09/15 The Taming of the Shrew The concept of someone telling you are something that you are not is one thing and the chances of you believing them right away are not very high. But if that person repeatedly tells you enough times that you are one thing, you will begin question yourself and eventually believe that it is reality. The idea of appearance in The Taming of the Shrew is performed with the same idea. Focusing on the essence of appearance, Shakespeare uses the story of Christopher Sly’s taming and its correlatives, and Kate’s taming to show that appearance becomes reality. Eventually, the characters in The Taming of the Shrew obscure the lines between reality and illusion, making them the same. In the beginning of the play, the induction with Christopher Sly shows the phenomenon of illusion becoming reality with the help of appearance. A rich lord kidnaps Sly, a drunken beggar, and decided to play a trick on him. “Sirs, I will practice on this drunken man. What think you, if he were conveyed to bed, Wrapped in sweet clothes, rings put upon his fingers, A most delicious banquet by his bed, And brave attendants near him when he wakes, Would not the beggar then forget himself?”(Ind.1.36-41). When Sly awakens in an unfamiliar setting, he begins to question the truth of his circumstance, but after a while, Sly he begins to accept the illusion that he is the lord he appears to be. “Upon my life, I am a lord indeed, And not a tinker...

Words: 1246 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Use Of Comedic Devices In The Taming Of The Shrew

...Within William Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew”, the usage of different comedic devices provided the plot to have an aloof and rolling feel to it . Comedic devices surrounded many of the characters, and a variety of different things in which occured. They often push the plot forward, and keep it rolling while also giving heavy topics a light corner. In the text of “The Taming of the Shrew”, comedic devices are found littered throughout. One comedic device used is mistaken identity. Petruchio and Lucentio end up taking up different identities to trick Kate and Bianca into marrying them. Tricking someone into marriage is clearly a very dark and twisted subject since it traps the two women in an intimate and strong arrangement to the...

Words: 306 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Shakespeare

...The Strength of Social Identity Social identity is a very prominent feature that individuals learn to develop over the course of their life. In Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew, Pertruccio, a wealthy businessman from Verona, has a very strong social identity that stems from his inner confidence in himself, and that explains his misconstrued outlook on women. On the other hand, in Shakespeare’s play, The Winter’s Tale, King Leontes, the king of Sicily has very little self-confidence and can be seen as a skeptic in most cases, which ultimately leads to his uncharacteristically low self-esteem for being a king. Tying these two together, it was fascinating how Pertruccio and King Leontes have such contrasting social identities given their respective roles in a society that is centered on hierarchy and social status. In The Taming of the Shrew, Pertruccio’s social identity plays a vital role in the outcome of the play. Overflowed with confidence, which can be easily viewed as arrogance, Pertruccio prides himself on being the master at taming women. From the beginning of the play it is apparent that his character is fairly predictable. As an example of the undeniably strong faith he has in himself, he claims that he can and will tame Katharine. He follows that definitive statement by saying, "Thou mush be married to no man but me; /for I am he am born to tame you, Kate; /and bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate conformable, /as other household Kates. Here comes your father;...

Words: 1107 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Taming Of The Shrew Feminist Analysis

...fictional story gives us ripe and supple knowledge of how maybe life would be at that given time. William Shakespeare, an author most high schoolers dread and professors squeal upon, allows us a glimpse of what life would be like in his time through his numerous plays. In a specific comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, he paints out a portrait of what love, marriage and the treatment of women were like in the Elizabethan period. There have been thousands of readings of this play, reproductions, analyzations and even controversy...

Words: 1135 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Self-Gratification over Human Kindness

...Shakespeare’s Characters: Self-Gratification Over Human Kindness William Shakespeare wrote in his tragedy, Julius Caesar, “The evil, that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” It is shown that Shakespeare’s lead characters are concerned with their need for self-satisfaction, gratitude, and dignity. They lack the solicitude for human kindness and the thought of others. The more the audience analyzes the characters, the more they see the true ambition and reasoning for their evil deeds. During Shakespeare’s time, it wasn’t unusual for men to seek such power. For instance, Taming of the Shrew is a play that focuses on the desire for marriage; but the emotions of young couples were not the main consideration in courtship (McDonald 267). Katherina actions portray her as the shrew, but the audience knows her ultimate desire was to receive genuine love from a man. Richard III makes it abundantly clear that he desires to take over the English thrown and do whatever it takes to grasp it. Additionally, Hamlet seeks revenge and is motivated to do so by his supernatural spirit of his father (Sobran 45). The need for wealth, power, ambition, and greed lead many of Shakespeare’s characters to satisfy their own self gratitude over the basic ideas of human kindness. London, during the sixteenth century, was a time of extreme corruption. Gender roles were unequal, marriage was spurious, and seeking wealth or power of some sort became every man’s objective. The...

Words: 3494 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

50 Key Concepts in Gender Studies

...50 Key Concepts in Gender Studies Jane Pilcher & Imelda Whelehan Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies i Recent volumes include: Key Concepts in Social Research Geoff Payne and Judy Payne Key Concepts in Medical Sociology Jonathan Gabe, Mike Bury and Mary Ann Elston Forthcoming titles include: Key Concepts in Leisure Studies David Harris Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory Nick Crossley Key Concepts in Urban Studies Mark Gottdiener The SAGE Key Concepts series provide students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of the essential topics in a variety of disciplines. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages critical evaluation through understanding. Written by experienced and respected academics, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. JANE PILCHER AND IMELDA WHELEHAN Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies SAGE Publications London • Thousand Oaks • New Delhi iii © Jane Pilcher and Imelda Whelehan 2004 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the Publishers. SAGE Publications Ltd 1 Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP SAGE Publications Inc 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd B-42 Panchsheel Enclave Post Box 4109 New Delhi 100 017 British Library...

Words: 86432 - Pages: 346

Free Essay

The Origins and Development of the English Language (Textbook)

...THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE This page intentionally left blank THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SIXTH EDITION ± ± John Algeo ± ± ± ± ± Based on the original work of ± ± ± ± ± Thomas Pyles Australia • Brazil • Japan • Korea • Mexico • Singapore • Spain • United Kingdom • United States The Origins and Development of the English Language: Sixth Edition John Algeo Publisher: Michael Rosenberg Development Editor: Joan Flaherty Assistant Editor: Megan Garvey Editorial Assistant: Rebekah Matthews Senior Media Editor: Cara Douglass-Graff Marketing Manager: Christina Shea Marketing Communications Manager: Beth Rodio Content Project Manager: Corinna Dibble Senior Art Director: Cate Rickard Barr Production Technology Analyst: Jamie MacLachlan Senior Print Buyer: Betsy Donaghey Rights Acquisitions Manager Text: Tim Sisler Production Service: Pre-Press PMG Rights Acquisitions Manager Image: Mandy Groszko Cover Designer: Susan Shapiro Cover Image: Kobal Collection Art Archive collection Dagli Orti Prayer with illuminated border, from c. 1480 Flemish manuscript Book of Hours of Philippe de Conrault, The Art Archive/ Bodleian Library Oxford © 2010, 2005 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced, transmitted, stored, or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including...

Words: 164520 - Pages: 659

Premium Essay

Business

...C h a p t e r 1 Prewriting GETTING STARTED (OR SOUP-CAN LABELS CAN BE FASCINATING) For many writers, getting started is the hardest part. You may have noticed that when it is time to begin a writing assignment, you suddenly develop an enormous desire to straighten your books, water your plants, or sharpen your pencils for the fifth time. If this situation sounds familiar, you may find it reassuring to know that many professionals undergo these same strange compulsions before they begin writing. Jean Kerr, author of Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, admits that she often finds herself in the kitchen reading soup-can labels—or anything—in order to prolong the moments before taking pen in hand. John C. Calhoun, vice president under Andrew Jackson, insisted he had to plow his fields before he could write, and Joseph Conrad, author of Lord Jim and other novels, is said to have cried on occasion from the sheer dread of sitting down to compose his stories. To spare you as much hand-wringing as possible, this chapter presents some practical suggestions on how to begin writing your short essay. Although all writers must find the methods that work best for them, you may find some of the following ideas helpful. But no matter how you actually begin putting words on paper, it is absolutely essential to maintain two basic ideas concerning your writing task. Before you write a single sentence, you should always remind yourself that 1. You have some valuable ideas to tell your reader,...

Words: 234754 - Pages: 940

Free Essay

Child Labour

...10000 quiz questions and answers www.cartiaz.ro 10000 general knowledge questions and answers 10000 general knowledge questions and answers www.cartiaz.ro No Questions Quiz 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Carl and the Passions changed band name to what How many rings on the Olympic flag What colour is vermilion a shade of King Zog ruled which country What colour is Spock's blood Where in your body is your patella Where can you find London bridge today What spirit is mixed with ginger beer in a Moscow mule Who was the first man in space What would you do with a Yashmak Who betrayed Jesus to the Romans Which animal lays eggs On television what was Flipper Who's band was The Quarrymen Which was the most successful Grand National horse Who starred as the Six Million Dollar Man In the song Waltzing Matilda - What is a Jumbuck Who was Dan Dare's greatest enemy in the Eagle What is Dick Grayson better known as What was given on the fourth day of Christmas What was Skippy ( on TV ) What does a funambulist do What is the name of Dennis the Menace's dog What are bactrians and dromedaries Who played The Fugitive Who was the King of Swing Who was the first man to fly across the channel Who starred as Rocky Balboa In which war was the charge of the Light Brigade Who invented the television Who would use a mashie niblick In the song who killed Cock Robin What do deciduous...

Words: 123102 - Pages: 493

Free Essay

Test2

...62118 0/nm 1/n1 2/nm 3/nm 4/nm 5/nm 6/nm 7/nm 8/nm 9/nm 1990s 0th/pt 1st/p 1th/tc 2nd/p 2th/tc 3rd/p 3th/tc 4th/pt 5th/pt 6th/pt 7th/pt 8th/pt 9th/pt 0s/pt a A AA AAA Aachen/M aardvark/SM Aaren/M Aarhus/M Aarika/M Aaron/M AB aback abacus/SM abaft Abagael/M Abagail/M abalone/SM abandoner/M abandon/LGDRS abandonment/SM abase/LGDSR abasement/S abaser/M abashed/UY abashment/MS abash/SDLG abate/DSRLG abated/U abatement/MS abater/M abattoir/SM Abba/M Abbe/M abbé/S abbess/SM Abbey/M abbey/MS Abbie/M Abbi/M Abbot/M abbot/MS Abbott/M abbr abbrev abbreviated/UA abbreviates/A abbreviate/XDSNG abbreviating/A abbreviation/M Abbye/M Abby/M ABC/M Abdel/M abdicate/NGDSX abdication/M abdomen/SM abdominal/YS abduct/DGS abduction/SM abductor/SM Abdul/M ab/DY abeam Abelard/M Abel/M Abelson/M Abe/M Aberdeen/M Abernathy/M aberrant/YS aberrational aberration/SM abet/S abetted abetting abettor/SM Abeu/M abeyance/MS abeyant Abey/M abhorred abhorrence/MS abhorrent/Y abhorrer/M abhorring abhor/S abidance/MS abide/JGSR abider/M abiding/Y Abidjan/M Abie/M Abigael/M Abigail/M Abigale/M Abilene/M ability/IMES abjection/MS abjectness/SM abject/SGPDY abjuration/SM abjuratory abjurer/M abjure/ZGSRD ablate/VGNSDX ablation/M ablative/SY ablaze abler/E ables/E ablest able/U abloom ablution/MS Ab/M ABM/S abnegate/NGSDX abnegation/M Abner/M abnormality/SM abnormal/SY aboard ...

Words: 113589 - Pages: 455