The Taming of the Shrew- I

Expanding class discussion about Inductions and Act I

I believe that the reason why the inductions were incorporated by William Shakeaspeare is because he is humoring the audience, especially those who are not rich.  I think that he is mocking the way that the rich talk and their drink preferences, such slight differences for what everyone essentially is: a human being.

As for the many plots that are introduced in the play that Sly is watching with his prankers, we are quickly introduced to the characters who want to be the suitors of Baptista's daughers.  These men speak about wooing of the women without having into consideration if the women will like them back.  Katherine is a very smart woman, who knows how the men in her society are, they treat women as objects and we can see this in the title of the play " ..Taiming of the Shrew" implying that all women must be submissive and ready to act upon a man's request on what they desire.  Katherine is the modern woman, who is independent and does not need a man to take care of her, which comes to a synonym of a 'shrew'.

I did not catch the reason why Lucentio suddenly fell in love with Bianca until we discussed it in class.  Lucentio may be a little like Petruccio who is trying to 'tame' Kate, since she seems to be a hard person to reach and make her fall in love with someone.  Lucentio's position is semi similar to Petruccio since he has competition (Gremio and Hortensio).  I have seen in our world someone who is "easy" in terms of falling in love, seems to be a synonym of not "fun enough", how we would call it today, men like to chase, women like to be chased.  

Petruccio enjoys the chase and find ways to get to a woman's heart and the challenge of being with a woman that no other man was able to accomplish is a 'turn on'.  We observe this flirtatious conversation that the two have in Act II (act II, I, 180-260)  Their discussion is playful and they both enjoy it since most of it is full of puns as well,

K: "Asses are made to bear, and so are you

P: Women are made to bear, and so are you.

K: No such jade as you, if me you mean.

P: Alas, good Kate, I will not burden* thee,/ For knowing thee to be but young and light"

When you keep reading their conversation it is all filled with sexual remarks and it is clear that they are both flirting with each other.