Essay on taming of the shrew

Submitted By nicholasmaniatis

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The representation of women in Shakespeares “Taming of the Shrew”.
The women in the taming of the shrew are representative of male dominant society and the pursuit of determination of a male and his quest to win the heart of the shrew. The female shrew Katherine is tempestuous in different, independent, opinionated and not easily interested in any male liaison which becomes a challenge for a particular type of male to tame her. As opposed to her sister Bianca, who is portrayed as a more of a daddy’s little girl who is restricted by her sisters unwillingness to allow a man into her life due to her father’s enforced rule that she cannot be involved with a suitor unless her sister is married.
The complexity of the character of the shrew attracts a special male with determination and vigour in his pursuit to tame the shrew. She is perceived to all other men as off limits, too hard and uncontrollable. Her feminist spirit and independence frightens the weak hearted males into cowering fools, hence the shrew becomes the Holy Grail or prize. Her intelligence and free spirited remarks intimidated anyone who approached her, where she is put on a pedestal and named untouchable.
Women were treated as a possession in those times rather than a companion or partner, whereas the shrew was presented as a wild, different individual which became a passionate chase for the like-minded male. Her single-mindedness has impacted the behaviour of women’s rights and liberties.
The taming of the shrew was a lengthy

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