Home > The Taming of the Shrew Summary & Study Guide > Criticism > Petruchio
The Taming of the Shrew | Petruchio
Critical excerpts on the character of Petruchio, addressing the question of whether Petruchio is an admirable character or an offensive one.
A key question in interpreting The Taming of the Shrew is whether Shakespeare presents Petruchio as an admirable character or as an offensive one. Closely related is the matter of his motives for wanting to marry Katherina and his goals in "taming" her. Productions of the play have differed widely in their answers to these questions, as have the critics.
Many writers point to Petruchio's energy, imagination, and firmness of purpose as qualities that make him an attractive character. Others, such as Cecil C. Seronsy (in the section on APPEARANCE VS. REALITY), regard...
[The entire page is 2272 words long]
Join eNotes
The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:
Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
- The Taming of the Shrew: Introduction
- The Taming of the Shrew: Summary
- The Taming of the Shrew: William Shakespeare Biography
- The Taming of the Shrew: Reading Shakespeare
- The Taming of the Shrew: List of Characters
- The Taming of the Shrew: Historical Background
-
The Taming of the Shrew: Summary and Analysis
- Introduction Summary
- The Induction, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- The Induction, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- Act I, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act II, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis
- Act III, Scenes 1 and 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scenes 1 and 2 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scenes 3 and 4 Summary and Analysis
- Act IV, Scene 5 Summary and Analysis
- Act V, Scene 1 and 2 Summary and Analysis
-
The Taming of the Shrew: Quizzes
- The Induction, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
- The Induction, Scene 2 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
- Act I, Scene 2 Questions and Answers
- Act II, Scene 1 Questions and Answers
- Act III, Scenes 1 and 2 Questions and Answers
- Act IV, Scenes 1 and 2 Questions and Answers
- Act IV, Scenes 3 and 4 Questions and Answers
- Act IV, Scene 5 Questions and Answers
- Act V, Scene 1 and 2 Questions and Answers
- The Taming of the Shrew: Themes
- The Taming of the Shrew: Character Analysis
- The Taming of the Shrew: Principal Topics
- The Taming of the Shrew: Essays
- The Taming of the Shrew: Criticism
- The Taming of the Shrew: Suggested Essay Topics
- The Taming of the Shrew: Sample Essay Outlines
- The Taming of the Shrew: Modern Connections
- The Taming of the Shrew: Media Adaptations
- The Taming of the Shrew: Bibliography and Further Reading
- The Taming of the Shrew: Pictures
- Copyright
Tell a friend about The Taming of the Shrew at eNotes.
