Curriculum  /  ELA  /  9th Grade  /  Unit 17: Comedy, Taming, and Desirability in The Taming of the Shrew  /  Lesson 17

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

Lesson 17
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ELA

Unit 17

9th Grade

Lesson 17 of 20

Objective

Analyze and discuss how Shakespeare’s use of language contributes to complex characters and relationships in act 4 of The Taming of the Shrew.

Consider the significance of the title of the play.

Readings and Materials

  • Play: The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare  — act 4, scene 1–5

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Target Task

Discourse Questions

  • Question 1: What is the significance of the title of the play, The Taming of the Shrew?
  • Question 2: In what ways has Katherine’s character developed throughout the play?

Key Thinking

Scaffolding Questions

For question 1: 

  • Which characters need to be tamed in the play thus far? How have they been tamed? And by whom have they been tamed? 
  • What are two examples of how Petruchio tries to tame Katherine in act 4, scene 1? What is he doing? Why is he doing it this way? Is it funny? Why? 
  • What are two instances where Petruchio shows anger in  act 4, scene 1? Who is the anger directed at and why does he show it? 
  • Examine the way Petruchio treats the servants and the way he treats Katherine in act 4, scene 1. Explain the difference between Petruchio’s treatment of the servants and his treatment of his wife. What does this mean? 
  • In act 4, scene 1, what does Petruchio mean when he says he knows how to "kill a wife with kindness"?

For question 2: 

  • What was Katherine’s character like in act 1, scene 1? What is Katherine's character like in act 4? What accounts for the differences in her character?

Key Ideas

  • For question 1:
    • Read this scientific description of the shrew: "Shrews are very active, solitary surface-dwellers. They are very voracious and suffer from lack of food within a few hours…Shrews are preyed upon extensively by birds, but much less so by mammalian carnivores…Dispersion is maintained by aggressive behavior at all times, except during the brief period of oestrus and copulation. The fighting is stereotyped and involves great use of the voice, resulting in ‘squeaking matches" (Corbert, The Terrestrial Mammals of Western Europe).
    • Over time, Petruchio tries to tame Kate. By acting like a "shrew," he both gives her a taste of her own medicine, but also breaking the will of her "shrew" as an unruly wife who does not follow the prescribed social order (i.e., being submissive to men). 
    • Zoom in on the soliloquy at the end of act 4, scene 1, where Kate is likened to a falcon, and Petruchio to the tamer. Petruchio treats Katherine like an animal; he will starve her and deprive her of sleep to bend her to his will. 
  • For question 2: 
    • Petruchio tests Katherine’s acceptance of his authority. He repeatedly tests her to prove that he has dominance over her and that she will obey him, as a wife should be submissive to a husband. This is his "taming" test. 
      • Scene 3, lines 196–203: Katherine does not even respond to Petruchio’s taunting over the dress and her appearance, but says respectfully that they should leave soon. Petruchio responds by saying, "It shall be what o’clock I say it is," asserting his authority. 
      • Scene 5, lines 1–25: Petruchio says that it is the "moon" in the sky, when in reality it is the sun. When Kate responds that it is so, he continues to demand that she says it is the moon and accept his word for it. When she responds that it is the sun, he changes his answer and says she is lying. 
      • Scene 5, lines 30–53: Petruchio tests Kate again by greeting the old man as a mistress. Kate greets the man as a "young budding virgin," going along with Petruchio without questioning. Then, Petruchio says Kate must be "mad" because this is obviously an old man.
      • Kate, who was once a "shrew" now easily submits to Petruchio’s will. She does not banter or fight back with him and has assumed a more traditionally female, submissive role, at least on the surface.

Homework

Read and annotate act 5, scenes 1–2 through the following annotation focus:

  • Annotation Focus: What are your first impressions of Katherine’s final speech?

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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
RL.9-10.2
W.9-10.1

Next

Analyze Katherine’s final speech in order to craft an argument about whether Katherine is really tamed. 

Lesson 18
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