The Taming of the Shrew is one of William Shakespeare's earliest comedies It tells the story of the battling couple—Petruchio and Kate—and their difficult journey to happy matrimony. Petruchio appears the first day in the city, having heard of a shrewish daughter of a wealthy man and he decides to take on the task of taming her. Kate is a strong-willed, scolding woman who says and does whatever she pleases. Throughout the play, the audience is treated to Petruchio's trickery, Kate's witty comebacks, and the occasional glimpse of their surprising love for each other.
The Taming of the Shrew is a beloved story that continues to leave readers and audiences with many questions. To help answer these questions and inspire further exploration, here are five of the best essay topics about The Taming of the Shrew.
1. The Interactions between Petruchio and Kate: How does Petruchio try to tame Kate, and what message is being sent to the audience by this? This can involve close analysis of their arguments and interactions both in the play and in the film adaptations.
2. The Role of Women in The Taming of the Shrew: How is Kate presented in the play, and how do other characters respond to her? Discuss the play's underlying message about the roles of women in relationships and in society.
3. The Social Dangers of Marriage: What are the potential consequences of marrying for money, such as for Kate and Petruchio? How does this reflect the beliefs of Shakespeare's time, and what can modern audiences learn from this today?
4. The Significance of Gender: How does gender shape the relationships between characters in The Taming of the Shrew? Discuss the ways in which this is used to create humor and drama in the play, and the implications it has for the roles of men and women in society.
5. The Humor in The Taming of the Shrew: How does humor relate to the play’s themes? Consider the ways in which the characters use humor, how this fits into the play’s plot and structure, and how audiences respond to the comedy.