Comedy, Taming, and Desirability in The Taming of the Shrew

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 17

9th Grade

Lesson 14 of 20

Objective


Analyze and discuss how Shakespeare’s use of language reveals complex relationships between Katherine and Bianca and Katherine and Petruchio.

Consider the values, attitudes, and traditions associated with marriage during this time.

Readings and Materials


  • Play: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare  — act 2, scene 1

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Target Task


Discourse Questions

  • How does Shakespeare use language to portray Katherine and Bianca’s complex relationship as sisters? 
  • To what extent are Petruchio and Katherine well-matched?
  • How does act 2, scene 1 reveal the values, attitudes, and traditions associated with marriage during this time? 

Key Thinking


Scaffolding Questions

For question 1: 

  • Why has Kate bound Bianca’s hands in the opening of act 2.1? 
  • Why is this both a literal and metaphorical condition? 
  • In what way(s) is Katherine and Bianca’s relationship complex? How and why is their relationship complex?

For question 2: 

  • What do you notice about the language Petruchio uses to speak to Katherine? is it overwhelmingly positive or negative? What does it suggest about his attitude towards Katherine? and his character’s motivation?
  • What do you notice about the language Katherine uses to speak to Petruchio? is it overwhelmingly positive or negative? What does it suggest about her attitude towards Petruchio? and her character’s motivation?
  • Is Petruchio attracted to Kate, or is he merely interested in her because she is wealthy? How do you know?

For question 3: 

  • What are the many reasons that characters value marriage? What does this tell us about the values, traditions, and attitudes related to marriage during this time period?

Key Ideas

  • Bianca and Katherine’s relationship is complex because Bianca’s ability to marry is directly tied to Katherine’s ability to attract a suitor who finds her desirable. Act 2, scene 1 opens with Bianca and Katherine’s hands tied. This image is both literal and figurative, suggesting the inherent tension in their relationship and the strife between the two sisters.
  • Katherine and Petruchio are mostly well-matched because initially neither can be tamed. While Katherine insults Petruchio, he objectifies her using sexual innuendos: "Women are made to bear and so are you." While Petruchio tries to woo Katherine, Katherine remains uninterested and ineffectively tries to insult Petruchio. Ultimately, they are similar because they both possess the intelligence and wittiness to spar verbally and be hostile to one another. 
  • In this text, marriage is seen as a way of exerting power over another. Petruchio attempts to develop a relationship with Katherine based on dominance; however, the other suitors back away from Katherine and favor Bianca because they fear that Katherine will not submit. In this society, marriage is valued and women are seen as goals. There are many different reasons that the characters value marriage: for wealth and status, for romantic love, for power.

Homework


Read and annotate act 3, Scenes 1–2 through the following annotation focus:

  • Annotation Focus: What changes do you see in Petruchio and Katherine’s relationship?

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Standards


  • LO 1.4B — Synthesize ideas from multiple texts and explain how the texts may convey different perspectives on a common theme or idea.
  • LO 5.1A — Extend the conversation around an idea, topic, or text by formulating questions and recognizing the claims and perspectives of others.
  • LO 5.1B — Cite relevant evidence and evaluate the evidence presented by others.
  • SL.9-10.1 — Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9—10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

Supporting Standards

LO 2.2A
RI.9-10.1
RI.9-10.2
W.9-10.1

Next

Analyze how Shakespeare uses literary devices to reveal the development in Katherine and Petruchio’s relationship.

Lesson 15
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