Taming has been one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, possibly because I think it was one of the first ones I was introduced to.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding Taming; as to whether it is a misogynistic play, if Kate is tortured and suffers from Stockholm Syndrome or is it actually an ironic statement on marriage and challenging the expectation of women's roles of the time.
I personally feel that Shakespeare has more depth than what would be portrayed in just reading this as a play about creating a submissive woman. It seems to me that Petruchio and Kate are actually well-matched and this play is more about a complex love between these two strong-willed characters.
And of course I love the word play in Taming: inane, funny and bawdy!
P: Come, come you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry.
K: If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
P: My remedy is then to pluck it out.
K: Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies.
P: Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting? In his tail.
K: In his tongue.
P: Whose tongue?
K: Yours, if you talk of tales; and so farewell.
P: What, with my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again, Good Kate; I am a gentleman.
Ooh, Will, you dirty-minded fellow!
The Taming has been seen in modern day productions including a fun production with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
As well as a 1999 adaptation in 10 Things I Hate About You.
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