'The Taming of the Shrew' by William Shakespeare is a comedic play that revolves around the main female character, Katherine, who is tamed by her husband over the course of psychological torments. The play delves into the difference and complications between the sexes of Shakespeare's time and the present day through the use of comedy. The story follows the journey of Katherine as she is pushed to humility by her smart and caring husband, Petruchio, in an adventurous take on Shakespeare's usual headstrong woman.
The play is known for its sharp wit, clever wordplay, and humorous elements that entertain and perplex modern audiences. It explores themes of love, obedience, women's roles as wives, and the dynamics of relationships. The book is a shorter read compared to other works by Shakespeare, making it a satisfying and engaging experience for readers.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The play contains triggers related to domestic violence, misogyny, psychological manipulation, and gender inequality.
Has Romance?
The play contains a significant romantic aspect, illustrated through the courtships of Kate and Petruchio, as well as Bianca and Lucentio.
From The Publisher:
Controversial and sexually charged, The Taming of the Shrew is possibly Shakespeare's first play, and certainly among the most performed.
Petruchio's courtship of the unwilling 'shrew' Katherina poses the question: is it an examination of brute male domination or a passionate love story with a powerful moral message? To read it is to gain unique insight into a portrait of a marriage as created by a true master.
Ratings (21)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (10) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (5) | |
Did Not Like (3) |
Reader Stats (31):
Read It (24) | |
Want To Read (4) | |
Not Interested (3) |
3 comment(s)
Feel like a crime to rate a work by Shakespeare so low but the misogyny in this stinks badly, sure it's written a long time ago and the world looked very different back then but I'm rating this play on how much I enjoyed it and I couldn't find a good excuses for this. But I'm intrigued to see how Anne Tyler wrote her story in the Shakespeare retailing influenced by this
The idea that Katharina starts the play as assertive and willful and through Petruchio’s psychological trickery ends the play as a submissive yes woman is appalling.
Funny romance/comedy from the Bard
What can you read after
The Taming of the Shrew?
About the Author:
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1564. The date of his birth is not known but is traditionally 23 April, St George's Day. Aged 18, he married a Stratford farmer's daughter, Anne Hathaway. They had three children. Around 1585 William joined an acting troupe on tour in Stratford from London, and thereafter spent much of his life in the capital. A member of the leading theatre group in London, the Chamberlain's Men, which built the Globe Theatre and frequently performed in front of Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare wrote 36 plays and much poetry besides. He died in 1616.
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