Taming the Shrew, Shakespeare

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When Petruchio appears on the stage at first time it seems to us that he is similar to other mercenary bridegrooms. But then we get convinced of his deep decency. Petruchio decides to beat Katherine at her own game, and begins to demonstrate manners of a stubborn despot, showing by his own example all absurdity of such behavior.

Katherine’s meeting with Petruchio is very interesting. She knows that just another bridegroom is waiting for her and she is sure in advance that this man will be the same nonentity as other bridegrooms whom her father offers her. Petruchio overturns all her assumptions at once. Unexpectedly for Katherine, he speaks with her in familiar, derisive and patronizing manner. He is nothing of a gallant admirer. He lets her to feel his superiority over all others. He responds with a cheerful smile to her roughness. And Katherine ascertains at once that she have faced a person who is equal to her for will power. Though she continues to taunt him, she feels more and more that Petruchio seems to pass her remarks off. He declares that he considers Katherine tender and kind. If before we saw how Katherine put everybody out of temper, then now we see how Petruchio do the same with her. She gets excited, and the more fervor she shows, the more noticeable that she more and more obeys to Petruchio's will at heart. She doesn't object any more to Petruchio and agrees to marry him.

But Katherine's will isn't broken yet. At heart she is ready to further fight for which she has only one instrument - sharpness and roughness. Unlike her, Petruchio is much more armed for the fight started by him. He prepares more and more unpleasant surprises and trials for Katherine: he comes late to his marriage, makes her to ride in the bad weather during all night, brings her to the house where she can't get warm, wash and have supper, arranges a joke with a tailor, doesn’t let her eat and sleep, etc. There is no end to his whims, and Katherine is at a loss. If we ponder upon Petruchio's behavior, then we will see that in response to Katherine's obstinacy he plays a greater tendency to whims, showing how ridiculous can be a person’s behavior when he/she shows rough willfulness. Petruchio plays roughly as a real man all the time, and Katherine at last begins to understand it. Finally both of them understand that they don't yield each other on strength of mind, wit and will, and are worthy each other. The shrew reconciles and obeys her loving husband.

In the end of the play and the main plot line the author's morals are clearly traced: one shouldn’t break a natural order of things, and a woman shouldn't oppose to her purpose - to be a life companion to her worthy man. Besides, the idea about impossibility for a person to hide his/her true essence is proved out, as sooner or later behavior will reveal natural aspirations of his/her soul. Therefore, three different plots conjoined together served Shakespeare as material for creation of the complete work - a cheerful, optimistic comedy in which all characters find their happiness which they deserved.

"The Taming of the Shrew" is one of the most favourite and popular Shakespeare's plays at present time. It is so attractive and modern that it was screened several times and is put on the stages of the theaters worldwide. And it is not accidental. The thing is in the immemorial conflict between a man and a woman which appeared to be the basis of the play. Shakespeare’ shrew Katherine was tamed by her husband. But is it so easy and simple in the real life? Today women actively fight for their freedom, their independence of men, showing willfulness, capriciousness and obstinacy. And men in reply try to pacify them, to show them who are dominant, and use for their purposes a set of methods, not always humane and efficient. Unfortunately, very few people comprehend the moral of the play "The Taming of the Shrew" that a man and a woman have different purposes and they don't need to fight with each other to become happy. Having understood this truth, married couples will find happiness, and their relations will become more harmonious, close and pleasant for both.