The young Shakespeare and his contemporaries: reconstructing convention in taming of the shrew
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published 04/09/2008
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SummaryOne purpose of theatre is perhaps to reiterate social phenomena and bring to light aspects of our identity, as an individual, culture, or audience, that have been passed as unquestioned tradition from times when they made sense. The Taming of the Shrew is one such work that presents an uncomfortable social reflection, emphasizing an inescapable theme of patriarchy and normative gender roles. Yet the play does not simply advocate masculine dominance, and female subordination, as the title and brief synopses would suggest. Shakespeare’s work is indeed a reflection of his society, yet may be read in normative or progressive terms. Perceiving the latter, one may deconstruct the play through a lens of current sociological performativity. Starting from the Induction, and working through the process of identity formation within the relationship of Katherine and Petruchio, it becomes evident that gendered dominance and submission may be a thematic façade for more a complicated social commentary.
Table of Contents
- Introduction.
- Modern theories illumination on conventions of the past with temporally disparate ideas.
- The process by which society can endow an individual with a constructed identity.
- The ideals of gender.
- The character of Petruchio.
- Petruchio's first meeting with Kate.
- Petruchio's attempts to ‘tame' Kate.
- Petruchio's reiteration of masculine dominance of the private sphere.
- Kate's final speech.
- Conclusion.
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