Modern Audience Essay

It is impossible for a contemporary audience to feel comfortable with the Taming of The Shrew with close reference to Shakespeargons debut of Katharina, comic conventions and having the above question in mind, write just about your response to the closureing of the dictationIn my opinion, The Taming of The Shrew tells the story of an scurrilous marriage and I would agree with the view that it is impossible for a unrepresentatived audience to feel comfortable with the put to work, especially the conclusion of the story. Shakespe ares presentation of Katharina at the end of the execute gossipms to me to be unmatched of a broken in person she is al close to robotic in her respect and without spirit, except for when singing the praises of wife homogeneous submission. Thy married man is thy Lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy s everywhereeign is a prime example of the disturbing persuade Petruchio has carried out on her. This humbled Kate is a far cry from the gamy Kat harina we are maiden greeted by in Act 2, where she exchanges a malign battle of names with Petruchio Asses are made to bear and so are you.This musical phrase in itself evinces that she is fearless, and defies her societys conventions, cursing at strangers a sad contrast to the frivols ending, where she has totally conformed to whats expected of her. The ending of the play also contains very lowly comedy, with the exception of the argu workforcet as to who is the trustworthy Vincentio, and the fight between Kate and the Widow. This is beca rehearse the Taming of the shrew defies most Shakespearian comedy conventions, as the marriage takes place midway the play, rather than at then end as was traditional. I believe that this adds to the discomfort of the new(a) audience, as afterwards the supposed happy ending we are faced with the harsh reality of Petruchios preaching of Kate.Shakespeare presents Katharina as completely changed by the end of the play. At first she is wil d and appearmingly untameable we see her tie up her child and argue violently with both Petruchio and her father. So may you lose you weaponry, if you see me, you are no gentleman, and if no gentleman, why then no arms Here, Shakespeare presents Katharina as highly skilled with word manipulation, generating humour with her insulting play on words with arms as she brands Petruchio simply a commoner if he would strike her.This is in stark contrast to the ending of the play where she seems to have no free go forth. She is practically enslaved to Petruchio, agreeing with his every thought and whim. An example of this is Act 4, Scene 5, Petruchio and Kate see Vincentio and Petruchio refers to him as a fair and lovely maid, instructing Kate to compact her for her beautys sake. Shakespeares use of a command word clearly shows Petruchios actor and reveal control in their relationship. Vincentio is obviously a man, but disrespect this, and despite a warning from Hortensio that this p retence will anger Vincentio, a will make the man mad, to make a woman of him, Kate does indeed embrace him for his beautys sake Young budding virgin, fair caller and sweet.This elaborate language with its piling up of adjectives is an example of magnification used for comic effect. It is perhaps also, on a less killing none, an instance of what many feminists would see as the darker side of The Taming of the Shrew, and the destruction of Katherinas personality this is a strong interpretation as she could be seen to be using this elaborate language repayable to her desperation to please Petruchio or her fear of punishment. Petruchio further exerts his power oer Kate by then changing his mind and accusing Kate of madness.I hope thou art not mad, this is a man she readily agrees, ignoring the fact that Petruchio has undermined and humiliated her, and begs for his pardon over her stupidity. This scene is a prime example of the change Petruchio has caused from Katharina to Kate. She is not the reference point we met in Act 2, and this transformation could be said to be self-conscious for a modern audience to regulate. It is unpleasant to see one gentleman being so completely at the hands of an separate, and whether this total obedience is due to love, fear or desperation is down to the audience to decide. I think this adds a more disquieting edge to the play as Shakespeare seems to condone Petruchios taming, or what most modern audiences would see as abuse.However, some critics, for instance Lucy Bailey, director for the RSC, have stated that the play is a curiously misunderstood love story, not the abusive tale of misogynism some modern audiences would see it as Bailey says that Petruchio and Kates attraction is instant, and that what follows after their first meeting is simply fore-play. Nonetheless, this interpretation is hard to digest in the face of the cruelty Petruchio inflicts on Kate, why would a man in love treat the object of his affections like one of his farm animals? This treatment is particularly shown during Act 4 where Petruchio begins his taming, he attempts to train Kate as one would train a dog. EXAMPLE. Evaluate language. Other critics have explained this treatment by saying that Petruchio is driven mad by grief after the demise of his father he takes out his disaffection and anger on other people almost as an experiment. (Director David Farr)The best example of Shakespeares changing presentation of Katharina to Kate can be seen in the concluding scene, in her saving. She has not spoken for several pages, but then, on Petruchios command, launches into the longest speech in the entire play, expelling the virtues of being a good wife. The first reason that most modern audiences would find this scene uncomfortable to watch is the way that Petruchio instructs Kate to Tell these headstrong women what duty they do owe to their Lords and husbands.This phrase itself could be seen to be problematic for modern audie nces to digest. In the 21st century, men and women are equal, so the way that Petruchio refers to men as Lords, implies a power and control over women that is uncomfortable for most modern audiences to hear. Shakespeare cleverly prioritises the word Lord over Husband in this line emphasising the debt Petruchio feels women owe their husbands, like peasants owe their Lords. In this statement, Petruchio also uses headstrong as an insult, whereas in modern Britain, although it can have negative connotations, headstrong is often a positive degree personality attribute, implying one knows ones own mind.The ending of The Taming of the Shrew contains very little comic elements, m analogousg it all the more uncomfortable. There is the scene in which Vincentio encounters the pedant impersonating himself .The audience has not seen Kate as impassioned during her speech since she was Katharina we see some of her old spark when she refers to Bianca and The Widow as froward and inefficient worms . However, this insult could be seen as a sad reflection of how Petruchio has depraved her feisty nature to suit his own needs. Most modern spectators would see the entire speech as incredibly anti-feminist, and I believe that due to this it is impossible for most modern audiences to feel comfortable with The Taming of The Shrew. Kate suggests women should kneel for quietude and place your hands below your husbands foot. These phrases budge feelings of servitude and to most modern audiences are difficult to hear. Kates realisation that women are weak, their lances nothing but straws contrasts to her physical violence at the start of the play where she attacks Petruchio. That Ill try (she strikes him).Shakespeare uses regal imagery in this speech to show the total infatuation and obedience Kate feels towards Petruchio. She refers to husbands and Lords, Sovereigns, Heads and Princes, and these words show the power Petruchio has over Kate and the power she believes all husbands shou ld have over their wives one of absolute control, akin to the monarch. Shakespeares effective listing of these nouns emphasises Kates uncanny passion towards Petruchio and wifely obedience. Similes are also widely used in Kates final speech for example, to dart a scornful glance at ones husband blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads. Kate now believes that obedience is beauty, and for most modern audiences who live in a society where independence is cute and celebrated, it is impossible to feel comfortable with these ideas.