what is your own opinion on katherine. Is she admirable? is she strong or weak? this will be your opportunity to editorialize your thoughts on kate and her actions in the play. is katherine right to behave in a shrewish manner, or is hse simply being unreasonable and immature? at least 75 words
2006-10-22 15:21:25 · 6 answers · asked by kansanm 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
The character is a product of misogynistic culture. On the other hand, when you see Meryl Streep play her, she seems a fully developed woman. I think her shrewish behavior is very valid for her situation when a woman's power was only what she grabed for herself. You are going to have to write the 75 words yourself.
2006-10-23 03:16:26 · answer #1 · answered by DramaGuy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think she starts out as a strong female character, although a bit immature. However, as the play progresses, she eventually submits and becomes submissive to her suitor/eventual husband. In fact, he makes a bet with his friends that his wife is the most obedient, and wins. Considering the time period, women had no rights and were considered property of their husbands. In the play, Katherine rebels against these rules of society, at least until the end. I consider her a weak character in the sense that she gives in to her husband's whims, although considering the treatment of women during that time period, I'm not sure I can be so harsh a critic. Being a feminist myself, I'm not rather fond of this play, although I must admit it's wonderfully written. The title sums it all up--Taming of the Shrew.
2006-10-22 15:32:05 · answer #2 · answered by Leah V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's right down the middle...
Katherine feels she was given the short end of the stick - that her younger sister was unfairly favored...but she then chose the wrong way of solving the problem by using direct (brutal) attack. Rage gets her attention of the wrong kind, making her the town nightmare...
She IS a strong, admirable woman who deserved a strong man - and GOT one! But Petruccio has to demonstrate to her that defying convention unnecessarily is foolish (the Wedding - Act III, Scene ii), and rage and dissension doesn't work (the dress scene, in particular - Act IV, Scene iii) and that cooperation is a needed response (for BOTH men and women, BTW, IMNSHO). The key idea here: we have to ADAPT to what is...
2006-10-22 15:36:34 · answer #3 · answered by blktiger@pacbell.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a pretty good play; you ought to give it a read sometime.
2006-10-23 03:36:22 · answer #4 · answered by shkspr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Homework, sweet homework
2006-10-22 15:23:10 · answer #5 · answered by Grundoon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write your own paper.
2006-10-22 15:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by Tedi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋