The Taming of the Shrew By William Shakespeare Essay Example for Free

The Taming of the Shrew By William Shakespeare Essay The sisters, Katherina and Bianca, are the principal subjects providing the main contrast in the play, The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. Katherina is the fire-breathing, man-eating, despised, older sister of Bianca, the pleasant, beautiful, younger sister, adored by all. When she first enters the play, Katherina appears to be a very unhappy, volatile young woman. We are told that she scares men when Gremio and Hortensio proceed to tell us: Shes too rough for me; No mates for you, unless you were of gentler, milder mould; From all such devils good Lord deliver us! . This suggests that she is so aggressive that she puts off men, however good her looks may be. It is also apparent when she answers to comments like these that she is hot-blooded: To comb your noddle with a three legged stool and paint your face and use you like a fool. Bianca on the other hand, appears to be the perfect woman. It is as if she lightens up rooms with her dazzling presence. All men adore her and never say a bad word against her. When she first speaks in the play, her words are peaceful and loving: Sister, content you in my discontent, attempting to calm her sisters fiery mood. Their father thinks very highly of her and this is shown when she is asked to enter the room with Gremio and Hortensio: Bianca get you in, and let it not displease thee, good Bianca for I will love thee neer the less, my girl. Bianca has also much better relationships with other men as they all adore her beautiful looks and perfect ways. Most importantly however, is the relationship between Katherina and Bianca themselves. During Act 1 Sc 2, we see Katherina and Bianca enter fighting and arguing. Bianca also has her hands tied behind her back suggesting that Katherina is the more powerful of the two sisters. Also we see that Bianca is not violent at all as during their argument she does not try to throw a kick or have any violent outburst (she appears to have the level head): Or what you will command me will I do, meaning that Bianca will do whatever her sister will ask of her. Although she is upset by this outburst of her sister, she keeps the voice of reason, always negotiating. When Katherina meets Petruchio, her attitude towards remains stays much the same as her attitude to all people, always arguing and fighting and she can not stand the thought of getting married to a person who treats her in the same way that she herself treats others. If I be waspish, beware my sting, this shows how much Katherina is against the idea of marrying Petruchio as she is threatening him to be cautious of her. Bianca, however, has completely the opposite attitude (yet again) towards getting married. She seems much more likely to enjoy a happy marriage and looks forward to the idea of settling down with a husband, whereas Katherina seems to despise the idea. Bianca is also much more intimate with her secret lover Lucentio. They spend a lot more time together talking whereas Katherina and Petruchio are either arguing or not together at all, as they do not share a very intimate affair. The sisters, Katherina and Bianca, are the principal subjects providing the main contrast in the play, The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare. Katherina is the fire-breathing, man-eating, despised, older sister of Bianca, the pleasant, beautiful, younger sister, adored by all. When she first enters the play, Katherina appears to be a very unhappy, volatile young woman. We are told that she scares men when Gremio and Hortensio proceed to tell us: Shes too rough for me; No mates for you, unless you were of gentler, milder mould; From all such devils good Lord deliver us! . This suggests that she is so aggressive that she puts off men, however good her looks may be. It is also apparent when she answers to comments like these that she is hot-blooded: To comb your noddle with a three legged stool and paint your face and use you like a fool. Bianca on the other hand, appears to be the perfect woman. It is as if she lightens up rooms with her dazzling presence. All men adore her and never say a bad word against her. When she first speaks in the play, her words are peaceful and loving: Sister, content you in my discontent, attempting to calm her sisters fiery mood. Their father thinks very highly of her and this is shown when she is asked to enter the room with Gremio and Hortensio: Bianca get you in, and let it not displease thee, good Bianca for I will love thee neer the less, my girl. Bianca has also much better relationships with other men as they all adore her beautiful looks and perfect ways. Most importantly however, is the relationship between Katherina and Bianca themselves. During Act 1 Sc 2, we see Katherina and Bianca enter fighting and arguing. Bianca also has her hands tied behind her back suggesting that Katherina is the more powerful of the two sisters. Also we see that Bianca is not violent at all as during their argument she does not try to throw a kick or have any violent outburst (she appears to have the level head): Or what you will command me will I do, meaning that Bianca will do whatever her sister will ask of her. Although she is upset by this outburst of her sister, she keeps the voice of reason, always negotiating. When Katherina meets Petruchio, her attitude towards remains stays much the same as her attitude to all people, always arguing and fighting and she can not stand the thought of getting married to a person who treats her in the same way that she herself treats others. If I be waspish, beware my sting, this shows how much Katherina is against the idea of marrying Petruchio as she is threatening him to be cautious of her. Bianca, however, has completely the opposite attitude (yet again) towards getting married. She seems much more likely to enjoy a happy marriage and looks forward to the idea of settling down with a husband, whereas Katherina seems to despise the idea. Bianca is also much more intimate with her secret lover Lucentio. They spend a lot more time together talking whereas Katherina and Petruchio are either arguing or not together at all, as they do not share a very intimate affair.