Taming of the Shrew: Male Domination

The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, deals with marriage.   The ideas explored are primarily shown through the characters of Petruchio and Katharina.   We are introduced to the trials and tribulation's which present themselves in their everyday lives.   The characters bring up a traditional concept of male domination.   Through the play we see the need for domination through Petruchio, and the methods he uses to dominate.   While these ideas of male domination have remained a constant throughout the years, however recently there has been a change toward equality.  


Males continually want to be the best, being a distinct priority in their lives.   Knowing that they are the best acts as a control valve in their life.   This is best demonstrated in our own society through sports.   Men trained to be brutal "killers."   When a sports career is over men are left with a void to vent frustration.   This characteristic of today's society can also be seen in Shakespeare's time in the sport of falconing.  


Falconry is the sport of taming a wild falcon.   The falcon's spirit has to be broken before the taming can occur.   After the spirit is broken, the animal can be tamed.   Men's training in and enjoyment of falconry connects to their desire for dominance in a human relationship.   This type of domination easily relates to spousal relationships.   If a wife acts disobediently and like a shrew then a need for "taming" can evolve.   William Whately, author of A Bride-Bush, justifies the occasions that a husband can use violence against his wife.   "But yet if a wife will put upon herself even servile conditions, if she will abase herself foolish, childish, slavish behavior, I see why the rod or staff or wand should not be for the fool's back in this case also. (Whately, 224)" Acting in "foolish, childish, slavish" behavior permits the husband to teach the wife wrongful doing and therefore taming her not to be a shrew.   This...