Free Sample Essays > Shakespeare
Taming Of the Shrew
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the famous English playwright, proves to be a man of many talents in his comedy, The Taming of the Shrew. One of these talents is being a psychologist, in which he can analyze how humans function. An additional one would be his extensive use of poetry. Shakespeare was such a tremendous writer that he was an inspiration for future authors in the world.
First, he is a psychologist who understands human behavior and how to change it. The shrew, Katherine, is known around town for her rude attitude and curt remarks. When Petruchio is awaiting the meeting of “Kate”, he will use reverse psychology to woo her. He plans his approach: “Say that she rail, why then I’ll tell her she sings as sweetly as a nightingale” (II.i.178-179). This shows how Petruchio will turn all the bad things Kate says to him around so that they come out in a good way. Second Petruchio is explaining how he will tame her. The way he will do this is by using animal training skills. In his soliloquy he explains: ”My falcon now is sharp and passing empty, and till she stoop she must not be full gorged, for then she never looks upon her lure” (II.i.188-190). The way he describes Kate as a falcon shows how he is connecting her behavior to an animal. Thirdly, Kate herself is an example of psychology. She has been proven tamed to her husband, Petruchio. When she and Petruchio are riding to father’s house they have the following conversation:
Pet: I say it is the moon.
Kat: I know it is the moon.
Pet: Nay, then you lie, it is the blessed sun.
Kat: Then god be blest, it is the blessed sun! (IV.iiiii.20-23)
Katherine may be fooling him, but she sure made him think she was tamed. In a way Kate is still not truly tamed.
Another talent he expresses is a creative use of poetry throughout his play. After Petruchio meets Kate, he wins the battle between them and convinces her that they will be married on Sunday. For instance, Petruchio tells Kate: “ We have rings, and things, and fine array, and kiss me Kate. We will be married O’ Sunday” (II.i.342-343). Shakespeare could say so much about so little in such a creative way. This is also in iambic pentameter! Rhyming “rings and things” and “array and Sunday” brings about a rhythm to please the audience. Next, of Shakespeare is rhyme. In some cases the rhyme is within a dialogue, not just what one person is saying. Kate and Petruchio are arguing back and forth: “ Nay, hear you, Kate; in sooth you scape not so. (Kate) I chafe you if I tarry; let me go” (II.i.271-273). Even as there is argumenting going on, Shakespeare makes everyone’s lines rhyme, instead of just having a single rhyme [next page]