taming of the shrew
...t loved by any man, "a husband! A devil". This may disturb Katharina, which she then ignores and rebels against. Pretending she does not care, when it is obvious she does "Is it for him you do envy me so?". Eventually, Babtista finds a suitor for Katharina, and so Katharina marries Petruchio, very much to Baptista's delight. Baptista, didn’t care what Petruchio was like, even though he is described as a "Devil ". Baptista also did not care whether Katharina was not happy with him. He shows this by not caring if Petruchio had to force Katharina to say 'I will' at the church "And kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack". Baptista is far more interested that he has performed his duties as a respected father in sixteenth century Italy. He shows more interest in the technical side of the wedding, "After my death, the one half of my lands, and in possessions twenty thousand crowns". This shows how material things matter more to Baptista than Katharina herself. At Katharina's wedding ceremony, Baptista shows Katharina the extent of his fatherly concern. When Katharina is distressed that Petruchio is delayed for some reason, she runs home. Baptista gets increasingly distraught about this as it has taken him time and effort to find such a willing suitor for Katharina, and so he acts more lovingly than he would do normally, "Go girl, I cannot blame thee now to weep", however, even this act of love is not to the extent that he shows to Bianca. Katharina has not got a temper at all times "No, Sir God forbid but ashamed to kiss", and, at times, at the end of the play, can be extremely obedient, "And place your hands below your husband's foot". Katharina, due to her prestigious upbringing is very socially conscious, and this creates a need for gentlewoman's belongings, "I like the cap and I will have it". She shows that she is of a higher social standing by her outrage for Petruchio's clothes, thinking them of a lower class, "To me, she is married, not unto my clothes" says Petruchio. Although she thinks she has an obligation to her social standings, this is not her fault. The fault lies entirely to her childhood, and the way, and type of environment she was brought up in and is used to living in. Katharina has a very strong nature. This expected due to terrible times she has had to endure. Firstly she was wooed forcefully, "He snatches her hand", then, she is married forcefully, "With such a clamorous smack", she has never been truely loved by her father, "For I have to commune with Bianca". She is starved, "'tis burnt, and so is all the meat", and then she is mentally challenged and utterly confused by Petruchio, "The moon! The sun: it is not moonlight now". Throughout it all she has seemingly managed to survive. Bianca is a pure, virtuous maiden. Her name also meaning white in Italian, the purest colour. Her elder sister Katharina is often mean towards Bianca, "Good sister wrong me not, nor wrong yourself". Bianca and Baptista obviously have a very close father, daughter relationship. Bianca is obedient, "Bianca goes in", and Baptista gives Bianca the chance to be more educated than fellow women, "My books and instruments shall be my company". Women had little or no liberation in the sixteenth century Italy. Bianca is given the choice of many possible male suitors, much to Baptista's content and Katharina's remorse. Lucientio, takes the pains to disguise himself as a tutor to attain Bianca's love, "Disguised thus to get you love". Another suitor, Hortensio, "He hath the jewel of my life in hold", and then Gremio uses a metaphor , "For she is sweeter than perfume itself". These three men are, "Suitors to her and rivals". Bianca knows Katharina feels jealousy towards her, "Is it for him you do envy me so?". She knows there are many reasons for Katharina to be jealous. She has her father's love, male attention and intelligence. As Katharina does not give her tutors a chance to teach her, "And with that word she struck me on the head". Even though Bianca seems better off than Katharina, Bianca does endure hard times. She is bullied by Katharina, "To make a bond maid and a slave of me". Bianca, an educated woman, has to go through the fact that she, "Must believe my master", even though had she been a man, she would, "Be arguing still a upon that doubt". Bianca is assertive, "I learn my lessons as I please", she is also very compassionate, "Farewell sweet masters both", and intelligent, "Now let me see if I can construe it. Hic ibat simois". Bianca is relieved, her father eventually finds Petruchio to marry her wicked sister. Meaning that she would be free to marry whom she pleased. It would also mean that she would no longer have Katharina there to bully and upset her. Bianca's opinion of Katharina's marriage is positive, "That being mad herself, she is madly mated". So, free to be married, she marries Lucentio, who, truly loves Bianca and she him. She shows this by her need to act especially correct with Lucentio's father,"pardon sweet father". After their marriage, Lucentio and Petruchio place bets to see who's wife is more obedient. Surprisingly enough, Katharina wins against the widow and Bianca. Katharina lectures Bianca on how you should behave in front of your husband, "Thy husband is thy lord", and, she tells the losers to,"Place your hands below your husband's foot". Bianca is a very bossy person, like her father and sister, "Construe them", and is used to getting her own way, "O fie, the trouble jars!". Overall, Bianca is strong minded but remains in her place as a woman in society should do. Bianca endures hard times which may have mentally scarred her for life. Bianca, throughout her life has been severely bullied by Katharina. She has also been held back from for filling her full potential, simply for being a woman. Apart from the incident at the end of the play, where Lucentio and Bianca are utterly humiliated because of Bianca's 'lack' of obedience, their relationship is loving. Baptista is a father of two daughters who considers himself a good father, "To mine own children in good bringing up". Although others may disagree. Baptista is very biased, he loves one child, Bianca, more than the other child, Katharina, and for this reason I believe him to have failed at the jo...