Controlling Change in Taming of the Shrew Essay

A Controlling Change

The attempts are brave, unimaginable, and impractical. These are definite ways to describe Petruchios attempts to marry and tame Katherina in William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew. Just the thought of marrying Katherina is considered foolish, but Petruchio just wants to marry a woman with a wealthy father. His attempts to tame Katherina have nothing to do with making their marriage work. He only wants to control her. Surprisingly his controlling behavior forces her to transform to his image of what a wife should be.

By saying the following, Petruchio lets the reader know he is not concerned with the actions of his wife to be, Signor Hortensio, twixt such friends as we few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know one rich enough to be Petruchios wife; as wealth is burden of my wooing dance; be she as foul as was Florentius love, as old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd as Socrates Xanthippe (I.ii.62-69). Petruchio is shameless when he tells Katherina that his sole concern is her fathers inheritance when he says, Thus in plain terms: your father hath consented, That you shall be my wife, your dowry greed on (II.i.261-263). Petruchio informs Katherina that she is his property. Petruchio proves he will wed when he says, will you, nill you, I will marry you (II.i.264). Proof of Petruchios controlling conduct emerges when he informs Katherina, 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. Never make denial. I must and will have Katherine to my wife (II.i.268-272). The result is that Katharine is only called Kate.

A furthering of the transformation starts at the wedding Petruchio arrives late, dirty, and in unacceptable apparel. When pushed to tide up his wardrobe he replies, To me she's married, not unto my clothes. Could I repair what she will wear in me, as I can change these poor accoutrements, 'Twere well for Kate and better for myself. But what a fool am I to chat with you, When I should bid good morrow to my bride, And seal the title with a lovely kiss" (III.ii.117-123).

Once they are married, the two live at Petruchios home. Throughout her stay, Katherine is tormented by her husband and his servants. No one allows Katherine to eat or sleep. Petruchio says, This is a way to kill a wife with kindness, and thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humor. He that knows better how to tame a shrew, now let him speak - tis charity to show (IV.i.202-205). Petruchios servants are confused. He tells them his reasoning when he says, Thus have I politically begun my reign

And 'tis my hope to end successfully, My falcon now is sharp and passing empty, And, till she stoop, she must not be full gorged, That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites

That bate and beat and will not be obedient (IV.ii.188-207). In time, Katherina accepts this management. This is proven when Katherina says, Then God be blessed, it is the blessed sun, But sun it is not when you say it is not, and the moon changes even as your mind. What you will have it named, even that it is, and so it shall be still for Katherina (IV.vi.1923). Out of weariness, Katherina conquers that the sun is actually the moon.

Petruchios feelings are confirmed when he says, I will be master of what is mine own. She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, my household stuff, my field, my barn, my horse, my ax, my ass, my anything, and here she stands (III.ii.228-235). Petruchio views Katherina as a trophy. This trophy is for obedience. He shows Katherina off to others. At one point a bet is made that Katherina is most obedient. When Katherina wins he boasts to all, The wager thou hast won, and I will add unto their losses, twenty thousand crowns, another dowry to another daughter, for she is changed as she had never been (V.ii.112-115). Katherina is now transformed. The final straw occurs when her husband forces her to give a speech on the duties of a wife Katherina says:

Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign, one that cares for thee, And for thy maintenance commits his body To painful labour both by sea and land, To watch the night in storms, the day in cold, Whilst thou liest warm at home, secure and safe, And craves no other tribute at thy hands But love, fair looks, and true obedience, Too little payment for so great a debt. (V.ii.140-145).

To everyones amazement Petruchio tames the shrew of a woman Katherina. He does the unthinkable, but he does it for the wrong reasons. He does not do it to transform her into a loving wife. He does it to be in control, and he sees the transformation as gaining a piece of property.

Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. The Taming of the Shrew. New York: Washington Square Press , 1992.