“Taming of the (right) Shrew analysis” The play “Taming of the Shrew” by Shakespeare, introduces several themes, among them the theme of disguise. Most of the characters are in disguise, and play a role within a role. When we first encounter with the two sisters in the play, their roles and differences seem are evident, Kate is the sharp tongued bad tempered shrew, while Bianca is initially? presented as gentile, quiet, and obedient.
As the plot reveals later, the true nature of Bianca is much the opposite;, evidence for her true self is revealed throughout the play, leaving her husband and father amazed of the discovery by the end of it. At In the final act, Bianca’s refusal to heed her husband’s summons is the final proof for her disobedience;, she is no longer wearing the disguise of the obedient Bianca, and by this she demonstrates her own shrewdness. Bianca’s disguise allows her to conceal her true nature, while maintaining the status of the good daughter with all the benefits included.
Being her father’s favorite, Bianca takes advantage of that position, she draws good attention by good behavior, from man and her father. , Tthrough this, to she evokes her sister’s jealousy and anger “Sister, content you in my discontent. Sir to your pleasure humbly I subscribe” Bianca emphasizes her sister’s bad language, and her own obedience, this in order to stand out as the better daughter, woman, and match for marriage (Shakespeare I. i. 81-82).
Bianca’s status upsets her sister Kate and evokes her jealousy, causing her to rage out at Bianca, again demonstrating her bad behavior as opposed to Bianca’s good behavior. But Bianca’s true nature begins to? is emerge ing when she is tutored by her suitors, “I’ll not be tied to hours, nor ‘pointed timesBut learn my lessons as I please myself,” a clear statement of her own terms, showing disobedience, she will not be told what to do (Shakespeare, III. i. 19-20).
While Bianca’s true character is starting to show, Kate’s character is suppressed, she is forced to marry Ppetruchio and has no options to set regarding terms or conditions, neither not any option to object. Kate is humiliated on her wedding day, Petruchio is late, and when he finally appears he is dressed ridiculouslyes. , Kate is taken by her new husband only to be tamed; she is starved and prevented from sleeping. Kate is being tortured while Bianca enjoys courting and flirting, especially with Llucentio, ”I tell you sir, she bears me fair in hand,” Tranio cknowledges her deceptive nature and her loose behavior, what makes Bianca not wanted by him for marriage, a shift in position between the two sisters (Shakespeare, IV. ii. 3). AThe final proof ofto the shift in positions between the two sisters is shown through Bianca’s refusal to appear atto her husband’s summons in the final act, reinforced by Kate’s unexpected arrival and obedience, followed by a speech regarding woman’s true role.
Bianca’s change of behavior at the end of the play is not sudden it was hinted anticipated throughout the play, and verified by the end. For most of the play, Bianca succeedsed in disguising herself as obedient, and enjoying the position of being her father’s favorite. Although assigned with certain qualities at the beginning of the play, the two sisters eventually switch roles, and Bianca is stripped from of her disguise of obedience, and overshadowed by her sister Kate.
