The Taming of the Shrew play Essay Example

The Taming of the Shrew play Essay Example The Taming of the Shrew play Paper The Taming of the Shrew play Paper Essay Topic: The Taming Of the Shrew Commedia dellArte played a great part in the way that Shakespeare wrote his plays. The 16th century society were great supporters of Commedia dellArte, which influenced Shakespeare and his comedy plays. Commedia dellArte originated in Italy in the mid 1550s when pros formed companies. They all took after each other and formed larger groups. One of the initial companies was known as Gelosi. As the years wore on, further companies Unite, Desiosi and Fideli formed. Zannis were a main feature of Commedia dellArte in The Taming of the Shrew; Tranio would be an example. The Taming of the Shrew is revolved around disguises and deception. Straight away, this concept is highlighted as the fat drunkard is deceived and tricked into thinking he is a noble. Later in the play, Hortensio dresses as a music teacher, Lucentio as a latin teacher. Tranio as Lucentio and pedent as Vincentio. This, as well as being amusing, adds dramatic irony. For example, when Tranio meets the real Vincentio when Tranio is dressed as Lucentio this is dramatic irony and is humorous for the audience. Such role swaps and elaborate dress is derived from Commedia dellArte. Throughout the play, there is much wordplay and punning to heighten the comedy. The more sophisticated members of the audience particularly the upper classes and especially royalty such as Queen Elizabeth would have understood and found them funny. Also this punning appeals to modern audiences. Pet: Here, sirrah Grumio, knock I say. Gru: Knock sir? Whom should I knock? Here, the word knock is being played upon. The word was understood by Grumio the dim-witted servant to mean insult someone, where Petruchio meant it as to knock on the door. This simple misunderstanding via wordplay would have been humorous to both Elizabethan audiences and modern day audiences. The subject of marriage in the Elizabethan era could also be a very humorous subject. In The Taming of the Shrew, it not only challenges the stereotypical marriage ceremony but creates irony and humour. This is shown on many occasions. Straight away, Petruchio makes a mockery of the marriage ceremony by attending the marriage in comical rags which also embarrasses Kate in public, wearing her down once again. Soon after, he punches the priest in the face, while providing comedy; this also underlines the disrespect shown for the marriage ceremony. Marriage was generally seen as the underlining statement that made a woman the husbands possession, something which Katherine certainly despised. This is also where there is some irony, as the most unlikely of suitors: Petruchio a chauvinistic male, and Katherina a sworn feminist, turn out to have a successful marriage. The marriage of Bianca and Lucentio ends up as less successful than the marriage of Petruchio and Katherina. This could be because Lucentio sees Bianca as a trophy wife, as his possession. But as Petruchio and Katherina have sexual chemistry, they are able to work out their differences and become a successful couple. This is shown and re-enforced when Hortensio, Lucentio and Petruchio have a bet to see whose wife is the most obedient and shall appear on command. Lucentio and Hortensio are both overly confident and see Petruchio as a fool for making such a bet; however they are shamed when they both reject the order to attend to their respective husbands. Then Katherina appears on command with both Bianca and Hortensios wife in hand, and appears fully obedient. This scene shows faults in the marriage between Lucentio and Bianca, and shows the strength and the bond that is shared between Petruchio and Katherina, and also the obedience that Katherina has learned she has been tamed.