William Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew Essay -- William Shakesp

William Shakespeares The Taming of the ShrewThe Taming of the Shrew could either be seen as offensive oracceptable to wowork force dependant upon the era of which they lived (16thcentury-the stream of Shakespeare, or the 21st century). Act 4 conniption 1is a main focal point to debate whether the play is seen as offensiveto wo custody.In Shakespeares time, women were not case-hardened humanely besides more likeobjects. Men were seen as the superior sex of which had completecontrol over women and could marry who of all time they wanted. The women hadno say in who they married. Basically the two sexes were not treatedequally. Also women could not go to school, but had to stay at home to hit and clean. Men could also bet on the behaviour of their wives tosee which is the tamest. Obviously a lot has changed sinceShakespearian times and men and women are now treated equally and havethe same rights as each other. Women can go to school and also choosewho they want to marry. In the Sha kespearian time the male person superiorityetc would have been classed as acceptable and normal, but a modernaudience would be flabbergasted if they saw a man bidding with thewomans soda water to marry her.Throughout Act 4 Scene 1, there are examples of the bad treatmentPetruchio forces against KatherinaI tell thee, Kate, twas burnt and dried away, And I expressly amforbid to touch it, Act 4 Scene 1, Line 152-3.This quote shows that Petruchio is denying Katherina food by saying itis burnt and later on in his speech that burnt meat produced an excessof the choleric humour, which caused anger. We know he is lying justto make Katherina starve in order to tame her. This could definatelybe seen as offensive or even a crime for denyin... ...lso the decisions were made not in the sistersinterests.In Act 5 Scene 2 the men bet on whose wife is most obedientLets each one send unto his wife and he whose wife is mostobedient to come at first when he doth send for her shall win thewager which we will propose Act 5 Scene 2, Line 66-9.This again shows the women as objects and links to wealth. The men arethe superior sex, which have control over all including their wives.My conclusion is, that The Taming of the Shrew could definately beseen as offensive to women, especially in Act 4 Scene 1. The women areshown as betting objects and opportunities to gain in wealth andrespect. They were tamed to be the perfect wives through starvationand captivity. Everything that was forced upon the women, were not totheir best interests, but to the interests of the person doing it tothem.