Is The End Of The Taming Of The Shrew A Happy Ending For Kate?
...s not want to be forced to marry but to choose a husband for herself. Baptista finally gives his blessing to them both and has nothing more to say about the matter, ‘I know what to say, but give me your hands. God send you joy, Petruchio! ‘Tis a match.? Kate must be filled with frustration, as she cannot do anything to stop the wedding. It’s also possible that she could have feelings towards Petruchio and by not making a fuss people could start think she was going soft. In this scene she is confused, frustrated, and angry. Once the marriage has been arranged Kate is angry but she appears worried when he does not turn up on the day. When Petruchio does not turn up to the wedding on time Kate is worried and anxious. If she did not want to marry Petruchio then why is she so worried? Shouldn't she be happy he didn't turn up? Kate is standing outside her father’s house with tears in her eyes, she turns to him for an explanation and finally says, 'If it would please him come and marry her!' Kate is obviously upset by Petruchio but she tries not to make it appear as if she is soft and so says this angered quote. Kate leaves weeping showing that she does care for Petruchio and she did want to marry Petruchio. This hint of concern shows a more tender side of Kate and that she does have feelings for Petruchio but it could also mean that Kate does not want to look like a fool by being stood up at the altar. All this could be part of Petruchio’s plan to tame Kate and to test her loyalty by seeing how long she waits for him. After the wedding is over Petruchio prepares to take Kate back to his house, Kate does not want this to happen so she reveals a more gentle side, 'Now, if you love me, stay.' Kate shows that she can be caring but it is only a small comment but still it tells us that she is not just a 'shrew' and that she does care for Petruchio as she opens up for him and him only. Petruchio takes Kate back to his house were he starves her and treats her poorly. He claims it is to tame her as if she were a hawk, 'Another way I have to man my haggard, To make her come and to know her keeper's call,?Kate is played with and made fun of, this torments her and frustrates until occasionally she can take no more and bursts with rage, Grumio: Nay then, I will not. You shall have the mustard, Or else you get no beef of Grumio. Katherina: Then both, or one, or anything thou wilt. Grumio: Why then, the mustard, without the beef. Katherina: Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave Beats him. That feed'st me with the very name of meat.' Kate is distraught by the way she is being treated but does not shout as she normally does; perhaps she does have feelings for him? She has learnt to control her temper and instead of arguing with Petruchio she should be calm and pleasant and so when the food is about to be taken from her she turns to her husband and says, 'I pray you, let it stand.' Kate is no longer the feared but the fearful. In Act 4 Scene 5 Kate and Petruchio are on their way to Padua and Kate is showing signs of defeat. It is mainly due to her previous experience and that she has had enough and cannot be bothered argue any more, and also she cares for him and so she wants to please him and that this is the only way to do it. Katherina: 'Forward, I pray, since we have come so far. And be it moon or sun or what you please; And if you please to call it a rush-candle, Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me. Petruchio: I say it is the moon. Katherina: I know it is the moon. Petruchio: Nay then you lie, it is the blessed sun. Katherina: Then God be blessed, it is the sun.' Petruchio has almost tamed Kate. All of the harsh treatment she received has done her good and made her pleasant and calm, Kate no longer lashes out towards people and so Petruchio has been a great help to both Kate and society. To some people the way Kate is treated is unjust and terrible, some question whether it is ‘taming? For Kate it is almost like a defeat, she has always been the strongest but knows she has met her matched and must bow down to him. After Petruchio feels he has 'tamed' Kate enough he wants to prove it to himself and Kate. In Act 5 Scene 1 he tests Kate, Petruchio: 'First kiss me, Kate, and...