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Taming of the Shrew: Analysis of the Depictions

One depiction shows Katharina and her Petruchio, where she moves to him and touches in an intimate manner as she utters her desire for love. Bianca is on stage with her alongside another woman and her husband. She stands there talking to Bianca, who lies on the ground looking upon her. Petruchio’s arrival gives her more confidence as he walks around, complimenting her. He walks around with a smack on his face, which might bring into question her sincerity when complimenting her, saying such nice words as “sweet as springtime flowers” (Dupler). Petruchio is a good looking man, and his movements on stage indicate a level of pride and flattery, which might indicate Katharina is in love with him that her fit as a strong independent woman does not work when it comes to him.

Katharina moves to address Bianca from time to time. Also, there are comic sub-plots that bring the concentration of the audience to the nasty piece of work where a suitor tames a rather independent young lady. It might bring into light the understanding of critiques of the piece of work being barbarous, offensive, and misogynistic into perspective. However, unlike the rest of the piece, this act and depiction do not focus on a spot of wife-bashing. Whether there is more shrew than what meets the eye, one cannot tell from this depiction. This version is more dramatic and enjoyable, but a little exaggeration to achieve this end makes detach from the actual play by Shakespeare.

The other short video begins with a number of women squeezing through the door with the actor playing Katharina hold two of them (StarsandStones13). And immediately they are free from the door, Katharina pushes them apart, and the viewer can see that she was scuffling the poor women. Her speech is evident directly to them in anger and frustration. Her speech appears unexpected, and when she starts speaking with so much power. This is because everybody in the room is busy talking to each other and going about their different business, but immediately Katharina walks in and starts to speak; they become calm and sit down. The expressions of Katharina’s audience is rather humorous as they make facial expressions that are witty and somewhat funny. Katharina, on the other hand, maintains a serious face. The clothes worn in this depiction clearly celebrates and gives insight into the past.

Because of the abusive marriage presented by the play, it is hard for the modern audience to agree with Katharina. In the second depiction, Katharina appears to be broken, almost robotic in her subordination, with a spirit only to sing of her submission. The ending of the play shows her conformity to what is expected of her. This version generates more sympathy from the audience because once more, Katharina is not playful, and she is presented as a completely changed woman programed to bow to an oppressive society. She has no free will, and the use of numerous adjectives as expressions of hyperbole for comic effect is not felt in this version.

Works Cited

Dupler, C. “The Taming of the Shrew” (Katherine’s Final Speech: Act 5, Scene 2).” YouTube, 29 Aug. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReLHo2Zb_LY. Accessed 9 Mar. 2020.

StarsandStones13. “Katharina’s Final Speech.” YouTube, 30 Nov. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti1Oh9imI8I. Accessed 9 Mar. 2020.