part 1

Transcript

00:05

Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew

00:07

five elements of gender issues as well as modern love and relationships

00:11

According to 20th century interpretation tendencies, The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's most provocative and controversial plays when it comes to discussing, representing and portraying male domination and/or female subversiveness in the play. The playís most notable characters, Petruccio and Katherine, are each given their say in the continuous “battle of the sexes”

00:44

Gender Roles

00:47

Marriage as an Economic Institution

00:51

Male Supremacy

00:54

self defensive shrewishness

00:58

notorious shrewishness and hostile attitude

01:05

Gender Roles

01:07

In Shakespeare's day, a comedy usually concerned romantic couples whose story ended in marriage. The Taming of the Shrew fits this criteria, as there are three marriages at the end of the play, but it also communicates rather bleak messages about marriage and gender role expectations of the time.

01:25

marriage is considered more of a financial transaction Women had very little say in the matter and were expected to behave sweetly and submissively

02:10

Bianca represents the ideal of what men look for in a wife Katharine, is self-possessed, independent, and not afraid to show her intelligence. she is described as a shrew the word has the dual meaning of a small mouse-like animal and a shrill, difficult woman