The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare , believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself. The nobleman then has the play performed for Sly's diversion. The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant ...
Read More
The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare , believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself. The nobleman then has the play performed for Sly's diversion. The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship; however, Petruchio "tames" her with various psychological torments, such as keeping her from eating and drinking, until she becomes a desirable, compliant, and obedient bride. The subplot features a competition between the suitors of Katherina's younger sister, Bianca, who is seen as the "ideal" woman. The question of whether the play is misogynistic has become the subject of considerable controversy, particularly among modern scholars, audiences, and readers. The Taming of the Shrew has been adapted numerous times for stage, screen, opera, ballet, and musical theatre; perhaps the most famous adaptations being Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate, McLintock!, a 1963 American western and comedy film, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and the 1967 film of the play, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The 1999 high school comedy film 10 Things I Hate About You is also loosely based on the play.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Taming of the Shrew to cart. $23.31, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2023 by Lushena Books.
I don't think that, these days, we should be exposed to play in which women are portrayed as irrational lunatics. It is offensive to those of us who know that they are nothing of the sort. Shakespeare, clearly, did not understand women. Of course, it is always possible that he based this play on his own experience, for which there is no accounting.
mallorysusan
May 22, 2007
Shakespeare's comedies get me every time. This was the first of them that I read, and I have to say it is one of my favorites. The subtle humor found within the pages makes it such a lively read. I have to say that I bought the one with the original version on one page and the modern English translation on the opposite page and it was easier to understand the complexities of the writing that way. This play is one of those things I read in high school English classes that I actually enjoyed.
