Is The Taming of the Shrew a sexist play?

Some student responses

Title.

 

                     Michelle.T.    

The play “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare is a sexist tale of how to tame a woman. Some of the sexist aspects of the play are; the way in which marriage is organised, the way that Petruchio cruelly “tames” Katherina and lastly the way that it is frowned upon when a woman speaks her own mind. These are only a few of the sexist aspects of the play.

In this play the way that Petruchio and Kate’s marriage was organised was very sexist. This is shown during the meeting of Petruchio and Baptista, where Petruchio bluntly asks “What dowry shall I have with her to wife?” This is sexist because Petruchio has never met Kate and she knows nothing about it. The men are treating it like a business transaction, Petruchio is in it for the money and Baptista just wants Kate to marry. Kate has absolutely no say in any of the marriage negotiations.

Another sexist aspect of this play is the way in which Petruchio treats Kate. He marries her and is determined to “tame” her. Petruchio uses the same methods that are used to train eagles. Petruchio starves Kate, he doesn’t let her sleep, makes everywhere she goes uncomfortable and he cruelly taunts her. During his first meeting with Kate they speak of her stubbornness and rudeness and Petruchio says “My remedy then is to pluck it out.” This is sexist because Petruchio wouldn’t attempt to tame a male.

The way that it is frowned upon for a woman to stand up for herself and have an opinion is sexist. This is shown when Hortensio describes Kate to Petruchio, he says “Her name is Katherina Minola,/Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue.” This is sexist because if it were a man it wouldn’t matter, as they are allowed to have an opinion and stand up for themselves. It is shown especially in the relationship between Kate and Petruchio. He wont even let her think for herself.

In the play there are many sexist aspects, in all of them the women are the ones losing out. Overall this play is sexist to women, but that makes it controversial and interesting.



} Is ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ sexist?

  In Shakespeare’s play ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ we see many attitudes from the characters that shape the play. One of the main attitudes we see relate to sexism and I will discuss whether this play is sexist or not. Most of the sexism in the play relates to the female characters. Women were not consulted in decision making, they had to obey their husbands and also it was not acceptable for women to have a mind of their own.

  In the play, women were not at all consulted in important decision making. This behaviour shows when Baptista says to Pertruchio:

          ‘Well mayst thou woo, and happy be thy speed!’ (Act 2. Sc 1. 139).

The above words were spoken about Katherina without her knowledge at all. She was not aware that her father and future husband had already confirmed a marriage agreement and she had no say whatsoever in the matter. Marriage was mostly about the money than the person to be wed. I think that it was not fair on Katherina because she should have been able to have a say.

The right way for a woman to behave in Shakespeare’s time was to obey her master, who was usually her husband. Pertruchio, Kate’s husband, shows this when he says:

          ‘And show more sign of obedience,

            Her new-built virtue and obedience.’ (Act 5. Sc 2. 118-119).

In what Pertruchio says, he is showing Kate, she must obey him. Obedience to the husband is a sign of respect, although that obedience is not shown towards his wife. I think that Katherina’s changed ways have allowed more respect in her marriage and they are now able to talk without argument.

Women were not able to think for themselves or do what they please. This was seen as unacceptable behaviour. That kind of behaviour is shown when Katherina says:

          ‘Nay then, do what thou canst, I will not go today,

            No, nor tomorrow, not till I please myself; (Act 3. Sc 2. 208-209).

The way Katherina speaks makes people think she has a mind of her own. Once she has married Pertruchio, she is forced to change. Pertruchio scared Katherina with his violent ways, to give her a taste of her own medicine. Katherina learnt she no longer has a strong say and that Pertruchio would be in charge. I think that this shows a strong sense of male dominance.

 
The play ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ illustrates in many ways the attitude of sexism. There was lack of communication between men and women, although the men did the ordering around of their wives. It is quite obvious that it was a time when males were dominant. The reasons and examples stated, show why I think the play is sexist.

Sheena

Another response...

This essay is answering the question 'Is the taming of the shrew sexist'. The definition of being sexist is defined as discrimination based on gender, attitudes, conditions or behaviours that promote stereo typing of social roles. I personally think that this play is very sexist. In the 21 century, the majority of people see women being just as powerful as men. But in Shakespeare’s time, women were supposed to be seen and not heard. They should obey their husbands without question and be gentle and calm. It seemed they had to fit a certain criteria to make them worthy of a husband.

One of the first scenes in the play is where we get an idea of who is in charge. Baptista is trying to persuade Gremio and Hortensio to wed Katherina. Kate was very angry at this. Baptista says to the men…

“Baptista: Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.”(act1 sc1. 50)

This quote shows the reader realising that the men in this play are the ones who the final decisions. Even though it’s Kate’s wellbeing at stake, it’s the men who make the difference. If the play were not sexist, Kate would be able to choose whom she married, and not her father choosing a husband for her.

Another way of proving that this play is sexist is by the fact that Petruchio is comfortable in taming his wife and doesn’t show any remorse about mentally abusing and tricking her. When Petruchio takes Kate to his home in Verona he tells her…

“Petruchio: Be patient, tomorrow it shall be mended, and for this night we shall fast for company”(act 4 sc1. 67)

In this quote we can see that he’s going to use here stomach and comfort to prove that he’s in charge. He will not accept that Kate is as horrible and wild as he’s been told, but trains her to obey him through starvation and bad treatment. This is also clear when Petruchio talks to his servants about Kate and explains that he’s going to train her like he would a hawk. To refer back to hawk training in order to train a woman is very sexist, as is the idea of training a woman.

In conclusion, think this play is very sexist. Some people might say that the play is joking about being sexist, but it seems pretty serious to me. All in all this play is very sexist.

Rainee