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Gender and Power in The Taming of the Shrew
Through their reading of Shakespeare's play and supplemental texts, students examine the thematic ideas of gender and power, making connections between the play and contemporary societal messages.
ELA
Unit 5
9th Grade
Unit Summary
Through their reading of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and supplemental texts, students will examine the intersection of gender and power and its connection to messages perpetuated in contemporary society. Students will consider the relationship between characters and setting in a text—analyzing how fiction conveys the values, attitudes, and traditions of a place—and analyze how an author's use of diction and figurative language conveys meaning.
The unit starts with a variety of supplemental texts that provide students with the opportunity to unpack gender socialization and its impact on one's identity and sense of belonging. Texts include "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid, "How to Be a Man" by Simar Singh, the "Declaration of Sentiments" by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and "We should all be feminists" by Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie. At the end of arc one, students will engage in a Socratic Seminar, putting these writers from different times and cultures in conversation with each other about their ideas regarding gender and power.
Before reading the play, students will explore William Shakespeare's background and his use of language. They will read Sonnet 130, "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun," providing them with an opportunity to practice Shakespeare's language and consider his use of satire social customs before starting the play. They will continue to investigate Shakespeare's fast-paced, witty dialogue and figurative language within The Taming of the Shrew, a comedy that revolves around Petruchio's taming of Katherine in order to make her a desirable wife. Additionally, students will consider how Shakespeare utilizes comedy to make critical commentary on gender expectations and social customs. By watching various film and stage productions of key scenes from the play, students will analyze how choices by actors and directors impact their understanding of characters and events. Additional supplemental texts are interspersed throughout the reading of the play, encouraging students to see how Shakespeare's universal themes connect to our modern world.
Please Note: In July 2025, this unit and its lesson plans received a round of enhancements. The unit is now 29 instructional days (previously 28 days). The unit's assessments and projects have been updated and the sequence of the unit has been reordered. Teachers should pay close attention as they intellectually prepare to account for updated pacing, sequencing, and content.
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Texts and Materials
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Core Materials
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Play: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (Folger Shakespeare Library)
Supporting Materials
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Short Story: “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
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Poem: “How to Be a Man” by Simar Singh
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Video: “How to Be a Man” by Simar Singh
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Video: “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (TED)
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Poem: “Sonnet 130: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun” by William Shakespeare
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Video: “The Taming of the Shrew (2012) | Act 1 Scene 1” by Shakespeare's Globe
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Video: “Act 1 Scene 1 | The Taming of the Shrew | 2019” by the Royal Shakespeare Company
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Song: “The Man”
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Video: “The Taming of the Shrew (2012) | Act 2 Scene 1 (Part 1)” by Shakespeare's Globe
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Video: “The Taming of the Shrew (2012) | Act 2 Scene 1 (Part 2)” by Shakespeare's Globe
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Video: “Act 2 Scene 1 | The Taming of the Shrew | 2019” by the Royal Shakespeare Company
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Video: “The Taming of the Shrew (1967) (Clip)” by Franco Zeffirelli (director)
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Video: “The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare Retold (2005)” by BBC
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Video: “10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Clip 1)” by Gil Junger (director)
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Video: “10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Clip 2)” by Gil Junger (director)
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Video: “10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Clip 3)” by Gil Junger (director)
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Article: “Angel Reese isn't harming women's sports. Her pearl-clutching critics are” by Mary McNamara
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Essay: “I Want a Wife” by Judy Brady
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Resource: Debate Script Mentor Text (G9, U5)
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Resource: Debate Planning Sheet (G9)
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Resource: Debate Judge Checklist (G9)
- Resource: Recommended Texts for Independent Reading
Assessment
These assessments accompany Unit 5 and should be given on the days suggested in the Lesson Map. Additionally, there are formative and creative assessments integrated into the unit to prepare students for the Performance Task.
Socratic Seminar
The Socratic Seminar assesses students on their ability to push themselves and their peers to think critically and participate meaningfully in conversation by collecting and evaluating evidence, actively listening, and responding thoughtfully. Socratic Seminar assessments may occur mid-unit as a way to synthesize the ideas of the text/unit to that point or summative, taking place at the end of a unit.
Performance Task
The Performance Task is the culminating assessment of the unit in which students have the opportunity to show the skills and content they have learned.
Unit Prep
Intellectual Prep
Essential Questions
- What is the definition of an ideal mate? What are the consequences of not conforming to this definition?
- How do gender and power intersect? What is the impact of that intersection on our identity?
- How does Shakespeare leverage humor and comedy to satirize society's views on gender and social customs?
Vocabulary
Text-based
admonishadversariesaffablecountenancecunningfrivolousintolerableinsolenceirksomequarrelsomeresolvedsentimentshrewspitesurly
Literary Terms
anaphoraartistic choicesasideblank versecounterclaimdramatic ironyhyperboleiambic pentameterironymonologueopponentproponentpunrepetitionrebuttalrhetorical devicerhetorical questionsatiresarcasmsonnetsoliloquystage directions
Root/Affix
counter-sent
To see all the vocabulary for Unit 5, view our 9th Grade Vocabulary Glossary.
Notes for Teachers
Lessons 1–5 are standalone lessons that offer flexibility to meet the needs of students. They can be used at the beginning of the unit to introduce students to the relationship between gender and power, at the end of the unit for students to make contemporary connections, or dispersed throughout the unit for students to examine gender socialization in the modern world alongside The Taming of the Shrew.
While considered one of Shakespeare's comedies, The Taming of the Shrew is also believed to be one of Shakespeare's most controversial plays for its portrayal and treatment of women. Set in Italy, the play reflects the sexism and misogyny of 16th-century England, and Petruchio's treatment of Katherine borders on domestic abuse. Some critics interpret the play as downright misogynistic while others believe Shakespeare uses his comedy to satirize traditional gender roles and social customs. Students will have the opportunity to analyze and interpret the text for themselves. Even so, dialogue and events in the play might be triggering for some students. As always, be mindful of the knowledge and diverse experiences your students bring with them to your classroom as you prepare to and teach this unit.
Lesson Map
Common Core Standards
Core Standards
Supporting Standards
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