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Taming Of The Shrew And Katherine Relationship Essay

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External and internal influences affect the power balance within relationships. This dynamic of relationships is demonstrated throughout The Taming of the Shrew. On one hand, are Katherine and Petruchio, who are witty and shrewish, and on the other are Lucentio and Bianca, who are more mild. However, by the end of the play Petruchio and Katherine have a better relationship. The relationship between Katherine and Petruchio is strong through relationship development and balance of power within relationship, along with the related factors of self-control and socially acceptable behavior.
In order to develop a complete understanding of the balance of power within Petruchio’s and Katherine’s relationship, there will be an examination of power dynamics …show more content…

According to Ramsey-Kurz, “His taming of Katherine can be read accordingly as an endeavour to induce Katherine to do like him and act naturally rather than being natural,” (270). In other words, instead of acting based on natural instincts and emotions, act in a way or create a deception that fits within the role you have been placed into by society. Ramsey-Kurz goes on to explain how through Petruchio demonstrating the purpose of deception, Katherine can create a new role for herself. In this new role, she is not held back by the attitudes of others towards her socially unacceptable behavior (270). Without being restrained by her behavior, Katherine can obtain power from new sources, such as the respect of others.
Through the development of a new role for Katherine, there can be a balance of power between Petruchio and Katherine. A key moment in this shifting of power occurs when Katherine and Petruchio are headed to Bianca and Lucentio’s wedding and Petruchio is declaring that the moon is out, despite it being daytime. This is the moment when Katherine demonstrates the understanding that arguing with Petruchio makes the situation result not in her favor, through this

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