Gender and Power in The Taming of the Shrew

Analyze what the list story reveals about the relationship between the mother and the daughter, as well as gender roles and power in their society.

“Girl”

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5RL.9-10.6

Analyze how Singh uses imagery and shifts in point of view to convey his message about societal expectations for men.

“How to Be a Man”
“How to Be a Man”

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5RL.9-10.6

Examine the structure and meaning of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments.

“Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Sentiments”

Standards

RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.9

Analyze Adichie's point of view and purpose in her TED Talk.

“We Should All Be Feminists” — (09:40–30:15)

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.6RI.9-10.8

Assessment

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic Seminar with classmates, drawing evidence from unit texts, and carefully explaining reasoning.

“Girl”
“How to Be a Man”
“Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Sentiments”
“We Should All Be Feminists”

Standards

SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.1.aSL.9-10.1.bSL.9-10.1.cSL.9-10.1.dSL.9-10.4

Create an infographic about William Shakespeare.

Standards

RI.9-10.2SL.9-10.2

Decode and write in the language of Shakespeare.

Standards

L.9-10.3RI.9-10.4

Analyze how Shakespeare uses imagery and figurative language to satirize unrealistic notions of a woman's desirability.

“Sonnet 130: My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun”

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4

Analyze how Shakespeare uses language to portray characters and their relationships in the opening scene of The Taming of the Shrew.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 1, Scene 1, lines 1–106

Standards

RL.9-10.3

Analyze how the language used about Katherine and Bianca reveals the values and attitudes of the time period.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 1, Scene 1, lines 106–end

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze two stage productions of Act 1, Scene 1, evaluating how each version interprets Shakespeare's text.

“The Taming of the Shrew (2012) | Act 1 Scene 1”
“Act 1 Scene 1 | The Taming of the Shrew | 2019”

Standards

RL.9-10.7

Analyze what Petruchio's language reveals about his attitude towards marriage and women.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 1, Scene 2, lines 1–140

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze how Shakespeare uses language to portray the suitors and satirize social customs.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 1, Scene 2, lines 183–end

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Writing

Overview

Write a one-paragraph response that compares gender expectations for men and women in Taylor Swift's "The Man" and William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm by comparing ideas about gender expectations in Taylor Swift's "The Man" and William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.

"The Man" and The Taming of the Shrew Brainstorm (G9, U5, L14)

Standards

RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.2W.9-10.5

Day 2 - Drafting

Draft a paragraph using a Point-by-Point structure to compare two texts.

Point-by-Point Structure Paragraph Outline (G9, U5, L14)
Self/Peer Feedback Form (G9, U5, L14)

Standards

W.9-10.1.aW.9-10.1.bW.9-10.1.e

Day 3 - Language Lesson

Revise a paragraph by using a dependent clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction to show cause or comparison.

Dependent Clauses with Subordinating Conjunctions Practice (G9, U5, L14)

Standards

L.9-10.1.bW.9-10.5

Analyze how Shakespeare uses language to reveal the complex relationships among Katherine, Bianca, Baptista, and Petruchio.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 2, Scene 1, lines 1–343

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze various film and stage productions of Act 2, Scene 1, evaluating how each version interprets Katherine and Petruchio's relationship dynamic.

“The Taming of the Shrew (2012) | Act 2 Scene 1 (Part 1)”
“The Taming of the Shrew (2012) | Act 2 Scene 1 (Part 2)”
“Act 2 Scene 1 | The Taming of the Shrew | 2019”
“The Taming of the Shrew (1967) (Clip)”
“The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare Retold (2005)”
“10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Clip 1)”
“10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Clip 2)”
“10 Things I Hate About You (1999) (Clip 3)”

Standards

RL.9-10.7

Analyze how the relationship between Petruchio and Katherine has developed since Act 2, Scene 1.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 3, Scene 2

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze what Petruchio's behavior and speech reveal about his views of masculinity.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 4, Scene 1, lines 110–end

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze Petruchio's behavior and his impact on Katherine.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 4, Scene 3

Standards

RL.9-10.3W.9-10.3

Analyze the dialogue between Petruchio and Katherine and what it reveals about the changing power dynamic in their relationship.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 4, Scene 5

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze how Shakespeare portrays the male characters in this scene.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 5, Scene 1

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Identify claims made about the double standard for men and women that exists in sports, and analyze how an author supports that claim with evidence.

“Angel Reese isn't harming women's sports. Her pearl-clutching critics are”

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.3RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.5

Analyze Katherine's behavior and final monologue in the play and what that reveals about how she has changed since the start of the play.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 5, Scene 2

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze how Brady uses humor to satirize her argument in "I Want a Wife."

“I Want a Wife”

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5

Analyze Katherine's final speech as satirical.

The Taming of the Shrew — Act 5, Scene 2, lines 152–195

Standards

L.9-10.5RL.9-10.1RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Writing

Overview

Engage in a class debate on the outcome of the battle of the sexes in The Taming of the Shrew.

Day 1 - Planning

Prepare for a class debate on the outcome of the battle of the sexes in The Taming of the Shrew by collaboratively planning position statements supported by strong evidence.

Debate Planning Sheet (G9, U5, L26)
Debate Planning Sheet for the Alternate Prompt (G9, U5, L26)

Standards

RL.9-10.1SL.9-10.1W.9-10.1.aW.9-10.1.bW.9-10.5

Day 2 - Planning

Prepare for a class debate on the outcome of the battle of the sexes in The Taming of the Shrew by collaboratively planning rebuttals.

Debate Planning Sheet (G9, U5, L26)

Standards

RL.9-10.1W.9-10.1.bW.9-10.1.eW.9-10.5

Day 3 - Drafting

Prepare for a class debate on the outcome of the battle of the sexes in The Taming of the Shrew by drafting a script for the opening statement, arguments, rebuttals, and closing statement.