Wednesday, 27 August 2003 - 7:21 PM CDT

1. Kate's final speech really shows how Petruchio manipulated her to somewhat change her ways. Her speech was over-dramatic and ultimately I hated the things she said. I think Kate is still extremely unlikeable as a character at the end, but her personality change was for Petruchio's benefit. Her new attitude doesn't seem to be benefiting anyone else. She is still mean and shrewish to Bianca and the widow. The only one she is submissive to is Petruchio. Her 'obey your husband' speech does seem like something Kate would say, because she is a person who wants to be noticed. It seems like she wants to be different from everyone else. By saying all these things, she is being different from Bianca and the widow, because she is submissive to her husband. We find out at the end that Bianca and the widow are more independent, and they do what they want to do in their marriages. Kate is still openly defying some of society, while obeying everything Petruchio tells her to do.

Sunday, 31 August 2003 - 4:25 PM CDT

I agree with Kelli. I too was surprised at Kate?s speech. Frankly, I like her much better as a fearless, rebellious woman. It was hard to believe that it was really Kate speaking because she was so submissive. It seems to me that she only regurgitated the information that Petruchio taught her. It is so unlike Kate to call a husband a ?lord,? ?king,? and ?governor.? She puts down women and tells them not to get angry. Anger is an emotion we all feel and it?s unhealthy to deny our emotions. I feel some sympathy for her because Petruchio has reprogrammed and crushed her to think the way he wants her to think. She is no longer a woman, Kate is Petruchio?s appendage.

Sunday, 31 August 2003 - 6:58 PM CDT

My reaction on Kate?s speech is that I?m little sad. My opinion is that she was tamed too much. Petruchio should have stopped midway. Now, she doesn?t have her own mind. She thinks she and all women are all inferior to their husbands. She says that a woman should ?serve? their husband. I definitely beg to differ. A relationship shouldn?t be based on one?s submission in able to agree and be happy, but about both compromising at the same time. This is because in submission, only one person is pleased, but with a compromise they agree to be happy.

If asked if the speech fits correctly with the structure of the play, I would say yes and no. Yes because Kate is happy and the story should end happily. She found someone to love and someone who will love her back. Her change from being a shrew to a non-shrew person is also a good ending.

On another light the ending is really not a happy one because she lost herself in the process. It is true that she doesn?t act shrewish anymore but now she doesn?t have her own mind. She?s acting like Petruchio?s doll.

Sunday, 31 August 2003 - 7:08 PM CDT

2. Three themes I have noticed are:
a) violent dominance, in terms of rank. How they always mention beating their servants, not to mention how Petruchio makes Kate suffer without food or sleep to gain dominance over her. However this mostly relates to Petruchio, Kate and their servants.
b) competition, in this play only two instances come to mind: The competition among Lucentio, Hortensio and Gremio for Bianca and the wager at the end to see whose wife is more obediant. Though relative throughout the play it is not the most important.
c) secrecy, most important because everyone lies about something(it seems). Petruchio doesn't tell Baptista he only wants Kate's dowry, Lucentio poses as Cambio while Tranio poses as him and Hortensio poses as Litio and a Pedant poses as Vincentio, all lies to Baptista, too. The Lord lies to Sly, negative secrecy is the most evident theme.