Welcome to the World of Padua: Studying The Taming of the Shrew
Welcome to your study of one of William Shakespeare’s most debated and high-energy comedies! The Taming of the Shrew is part of the Comedy section of your Pearson Edexcel A Level course (Component 1, Section A). This play is famous for its "battle of the sexes," its clever use of disguise, and a structure that is much more complex than it first appears.
Because this is a Section A text, you will need to focus on four main areas (Assessment Objectives):
1. AO1: Using literary terms and writing a clear argument.
2. AO2: Looking at how Shakespeare uses language and dramatic form.
3. AO3: Understanding the historical context (Elizabethan society).
4. AO5: Engaging with different critical interpretations (different ways of seeing the play).
Note: For other Shakespearean comedies, you can refer to the notes on "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," "Measure for Measure," or "Twelfth Night."
1. Dramatic Structure: The "Play Within a Play"
One of the most important things to remember about this play is that it starts with an Induction. We meet a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly who is tricked into believing he is a nobleman. The story of Katherina and Petruchio is actually a play performed for Sly.
Why does the Induction matter?
Many students overlook the Induction, but it is vital for your AO2 analysis. By framing the story as a "dream" or a performance for a drunkard, Shakespeare might be suggesting that the "taming" we see on stage isn't meant to be taken as a realistic guide for behavior. It creates a metatheatrical layer—a play within a play—which adds a sense of farce and artificiality to the main plot.
Key Takeaway: The Induction reminds the audience that what they are watching is a fiction, which might change how we judge the harsh treatment of Katherina.
2. The "Shrew" and the "Tamer": Character Dynamics
The central conflict involves the "shrewish" Katherina (Kate) and the fortune-seeking Petruchio. While the subplot involves the "ideal" woman, Bianca, and her many suitors, the emotional heart of the play is the volatile relationship between the leads.
Katherina (The Shrew)
At the start, Katherina is presented as violent and sharp-tongued. However, a modern reader might see her "shrewishness" as a response to her father’s favoritism toward Bianca. She is a woman with no agency in a society that treats her as property.
Petruchio (The Tamer)
Petruchio is often seen as a boisterous and mercenary character who arrives in Padua to "wive and thrive." He uses a method of "taming" that he compares to training a hawk—depriving Kate of food and sleep while claiming he is doing it out of love. This is a classic example of irony and comic exaggeration.
Quick Tip: Don't worry if you find Petruchio’s methods uncomfortable! Shakespeare’s comedies often push boundaries to make the audience think about power and roles in marriage.
3. Context: The Elizabethan World (AO3)
To score well on AO3, you need to understand the world Shakespeare lived in. In the 16th and 17th centuries, society was strictly patriarchal (ruled by men).
- Marriage as a Transaction: Marriage was often about money, land, and social status rather than love. This is why Baptista (the father) "auctions" off Bianca to the highest bidder.
- The "Shrew" Tradition: There was a long tradition in folk tales and plays about "taming" difficult women. Shakespeare’s audience would have been familiar with this genre, though he adds more psychological depth than most writers of his time.
- The Great Chain of Being: This was the belief that everything in the universe had a specific place. A wife "disobeying" her husband was seen as a threat to the natural order of the world.
4. Language and Imagery (AO2)
Shakespeare uses specific types of language to show the battle between Kate and Petruchio:
- Stichomythia: This is a technique where characters trade rapid, one-line insults. It shows that Kate and Petruchio are intellectual equals—they are the only ones who can keep up with each other's wit.
- Animal Imagery: Petruchio frequently uses metaphors related to falconry. By comparing Kate to a wild bird that needs to be "manned" (tamed), he highlights the power imbalance in their relationship.
Common Mistake: Thinking the play is just a simple "slapstick" comedy. While it has elements of farce, the language reveals deep concerns about identity and performance.
5. Critical Interpretations (AO5)
In your exam, you must use the Pearson Critical Anthology (Comedy) to support your points. There are two main ways critics look at this play today:
The "Submissive" Reading
Some critics argue that the play is a straightforward comedy of its time. In this view, Katherina’s final speech—where she tells women to place their hands beneath their husband's feet—is a sincere expression of social harmony. They see the "taming" as a way of helping Kate fit into a society where she will ultimately be happier.
The "Subversive" or "Ironic" Reading
Many modern critics (and actors) suggest that Kate is ironic at the end. They argue that she hasn't been "broken," but has learned how to play the game. By pretending to be the perfect wife, she gains Petruchio’s respect and a more peaceful life, but she keeps her inner spirit. This makes the ending a satire of male dominance rather than a celebration of it.
Key Takeaway: There is no "right" answer! Use phrases like "A feminist critic might argue..." or "While a traditionalist reading suggests..." to show the examiner you understand different perspectives.
Summary Checklist for Success
1. Master the Terms: Use words like farce, metatheatre, patriarchy, stichomythia, and shrew.
2. Link to Context: Always mention how Elizabethan views on gender and property shape the characters' choices.
3. Use the Anthology: Practice linking the critics’ ideas in the Critical Anthology to specific moments in the play.
4. Focus on the Genre: Remember this is a Comedy. Look for elements of disguise, misunderstanding, and the movement toward a final wedding (even if that wedding feels complicated!).
Don't worry if the ending feels strange or "wrong" to you—that is exactly why this play is still studied today. The tension between the comedy and the cruelty is what makes it a masterpiece of dramatic literature!