The Taming of the Shrew [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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"The Taming of the Shrew" is probably William Shakespeare's second most controversial play -- nobody can figure out if it's misogynistic or a biting double satire on the sexes. Whatever it is, it's still a witty and hilarious comedy that pits the titular "shrew" against a crazy guy determined to browbeat her into traditional subservience... and while they're no Beatrice and Benedick, it is lots of fun.

Framing device: a local lord and his hunting party stumble across a drunken tinker, and decide to play an elaborate prank on him. They dress him in rich clothes, arrange fine food for him, and even drag a protesting servant boy in to pretend to be his wife. And they put on a performance for him as well: Baptista Minola has two daughters, the hot-tempered razor-tongued Katharina and the quiet, demure Bianca.

Since Bianca is not allowed to marry until Katharina is, her suitors form an alliance to get the elder sister out of the way, which is made more complex when a young student named Luciento falls in love with Bianca, and comes up with a clever plan to woo her. Enter Petruchio, an impoverished nobleman with as sharp a wit as Katharina -- and since he's the only one willing to marry her, her father jumps on the chance. From the very beginning, Petruchio beats her over the head with crazy reverse psychology, a ridiculous wedding ceremony, and a honeymoon from hell.

It's often debated whether "The Taming of the Shrew" is a sexist play or not, since the strong-willed, independent Katharina ends up another little obedient wifie, lecturing the other wives on giving their husbands "love, fair looks and true obedience." Blech.

But consider: this speech comes from a woman who, after years of intimidating the men around her, has been browbeaten, emotionally abused and humiliated until her boorish hubby finally "breaks" her... not exactly a rousing celebration of "the taming of the shrew," or of Petruchio! If anything, Shakespeare seems to be hinting that women should be subtle about their rebellion (as Bianca is) rather than broadcasting it to the world... and perhaps that is what the "shrew" had really learned.

And as usual, Shakespeare wraps the play in delicious wordplay ("You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate,/And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst"), weird situations (the ridiculous wedding), and an farcical romantic tangle centering on Bianca. And Shakespeare has some fun with the framing device about Christopher Sly -- while the lord is being a jerk, the whole situation is just so hilarious that it's impossible not to enjoy it.

And the characters are pretty fun as well, even when you want to kick them in the backside -- Katharina is delightfully witty, bombastic and very intimidating, and Petruchio is a hilarious, witty jerk who knows just how to counter her. Bianca seems like a subservient doormat at first, but Shakespeare hints that (in her own way) she's just as rebellious as Katharina, unbeknownst to her clownish admirers and her worn-out dad.

"The Taming of the Shrew" seems like a pretty offensive piece until you see all the little barbs sticking out of the surface. Really uncomfortable, and truly brilliant.

Very funny story. Gotta hand it to Shakespear here, it is a nice comedy. Just slightly not my style.

The notations on the words/phrases were invaluable for a shakespearian layman like myself. The names all slurred together after a while so I found myself reading out-loud and still getting a bit lost. Everyone impersonating everyone else...who are impersonating someone else...confusing.

The book, although good, gets 3 stars because I had to rent the movie of the play to get it. Once I figured it out, however, the book made sense and was funny. This one may be a book to pass up, and watch the movie instead. Too many characters with names that all sound the same to make it an easy read.

The synopsis made simple for the Taming of the Shrew is: Katharina is a 'shrew,' with a flaring temper, a streak of sarcasm, and is less elegant as her sister Bianca. She is then betrothed to Petruchio, who uses the 'cruel to be kind' method to try to change Katharina's personality by being cruel and uncompromising towards her. In the end it ultimately works, and Katharina becomes more subtle, respectful, and ultimately falls in love w/ Petruchio.

It is a great play by Shakespeare, very humorous (with a genius use of sarcasm wit and puns), and it is one of his more rewarding plays on many levels. Not only is it a pleasure to read, but the theme of the story, by transforming a shrew into a better person, is very positive, a relief from the darker subjects Shakespeare used in his more famous plays (i.e. Romeo & Juliet).

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1.0 out of 5 stars Taming Of The Shrew
I found this story to be extremely elementary. This Shakespeare fellow obviously has no idea what he is talking about, and I hope he refrains from releasing anything in the near... Read more

Published on Nov 30 2003 by B. Chelberg

4.0 out of 5 stars Comedy or Commentary?
Bianca is a beautiful, educated woman, modest and loved by nearly all who lay eyes upon her. But she cannot be wed until her older sister, the shrew, witty, and temperamental... Read more

Published on July 19 2003 by Bob NothingElse

4.0 out of 5 stars The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew is a play within a play. It starts out with a drunkard, Sly, and a lord. The lord bets that he can trick Sly into thinking he is a lord. Read more

Published on Jun 10 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars funniest play
this farce is flat-out shakespeare's funniest play. the courtship of petruchio and katherina, his shrew, is laugh-out-loud funny. Read more

Published on May 5 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars The Worst Book Known to Man
First of all Katharine and Bianca are two spoiled, self-centered, wenches. Katharine enjoys defaming others character,hearing her own voice, and inducing pain in her little sister... Read more

Published on Jan 3 2003 by Liz

4.0 out of 5 stars Shrew Review
The Taming of the Shrew is a great read for high school literature classes. Shakespeare uses love in this play to set up many comical situations. Read more

Published on Dec 13 2002 by Joey Halzle

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magnum Opus
The Taming of the Shrew is a comedic play by our favorite playwright Shakespeare. It is a unique love story with hidden comedy throughout. Read more

Published on Dec 13 2002 by Dane Wallace

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Classic Comedy
Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew is dramatic, witty, and hilarious all at the same time. The plot itself borders on ridiculous, as it is unlikely anything like it would happen... Read more

Published on Dec 12 2002 by sunny16a

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing drama!
I acted in this play for my school spring play. We had every character played by high schoolers, and being able to discuss the topics. I love how all the characters seem so real.

Published on Aug 30 2002 by chica46

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Shakespearean comedy
Young Lucentio arrives in Padua with his servants to study at the university, but once he sees the beautiful Bianca, he can think of nothing else. Read more

Published on May 22 2002 by Lawrance M. Bernabo

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