The message of The Taming of the Shrew primarily centers on the idea that women should be submissive and obedient to their husbands within the institution of marriage. This interpretation is most evident in Katherina's transformation from a "shrew" to a seemingly docile wife and her final, lengthy speech advocating for wives' duty to their husbands.
However, this straightforward interpretation has been a subject of significant debate and critique since the play's earliest performances. Many scholars and audiences argue that the play's message is far more complex, potentially ironic, or even a critique of the very idea of "taming" a woman.
The Traditional Message of Submission
At its most literal level, The Taming of the Shrew depicts a process where a strong-willed, independent woman, Katherina Minola, is "tamed" by her suitor, Petruchio, through psychological manipulation and deprivation. The play culminates in Katherina's famous speech where she seemingly advocates for a wife's complete obedience and submission to her husband. This suggests a direct message that a woman's happiness and societal acceptance are found through compliance with patriarchal norms.
Key elements supporting this view include:
- Petruchio's Methods: His "taming" strategies, which include denying Katherina food, sleep, and appropriate clothing, are designed to break her will and force her into submission.
- Katherina's Final Speech: She lectures her sister and another bride on the duty of wives to serve, honor, and obey their husbands, describing a wife's body as "too soft and weak" for the toils a man endures.
Critical Interpretations and Nuances
Despite the apparent message of submission, the play's enduring complexity arises from its susceptibility to multiple interpretations. Critics and performers have long debated whether Shakespeare intended to endorse the harsh treatment of women or to satirize the social norms that permitted such behavior.
Different Interpretations of the Play's Message
The table below outlines the primary perspectives on The Taming of the Shrew's core message:
| Perspective | Core Interpretation | Key Argument |
|---|---|---|
| Literal/Traditional | Women should be obedient and submissive to their husbands. | Katherina's transformation and final speech directly advocate for female obedience, reflecting accepted societal views on marriage in the Elizabethan era. |
| Ironic/Satirical | The play is a critique or satire of forced submission. | Katherina's final speech is performed ironically or sarcastically; the play highlights the absurdity and cruelty of "taming" and challenges patriarchal control over women. Shakespeare may have used satire to distance himself from the play's depicted ideas. |
| Social Commentary | A reflection of Elizabethan societal norms, not an endorsement. | The play serves as a realistic, albeit exaggerated, portrayal of historical attitudes towards marriage and gender roles, rather than a universal moral lesson for all time. |
| Psychological Reading | Focus on mutual understanding or power dynamics. | Katherina's transformation is not simply submission but a strategic adaptation or a discovery of a different kind of power within the relationship. Petruchio also changes, learning to manage rather than simply dominate. |
The Role of the Framing Device
One significant element that encourages a nuanced reading is the play's use of a framing device, known as the Induction. The main story of Katherina and Petruchio is presented as a play performed for Christopher Sly, a drunken tinker who is tricked into believing he is a lord. This meta-theatrical element leads some to suggest that Shakespeare himself tried to distance himself from the more troubling aspects of the play's message. By presenting the "taming" story as merely a performance within a performance, it can be viewed as an exaggerated fantasy or a commentary on the nature of theatrical illusion, rather than a direct endorsement of the actions portrayed. This framework encourages the audience to view the events with a critical eye, questioning the "reality" or sincerity of the main plot's message.
Ultimately, while the surface narrative of The Taming of the Shrew relays a message about female submission to husbands, its enduring place in literature stems from the vigorous debate surrounding its true intent and the complexity of its critical reception.
