The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592.

DRAMATIC ARTS: THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
JULY 14, 2023 7:30 PM

The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a mischievous nobleman who tricks a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly into believing he is actually a nobleman himself.

The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship; however, Petruchio “tames” her with various psychological and physical torments, such as keeping her from eating and drinking, until she becomes a desirable, compliant, and obedient bride. The subplot features a competition between the suitors of Katherina’s younger sister, Bianca, who is seen as the “ideal” woman. The question of whether the play is misogynistic has become the subject of considerable controversy, particularly among modern scholars, audiences, and readers.