The Taming of the Shrew Group

Question:

h1n4
h1n4
Student

In "The Taming of the Shrew", what are the effect of Pertruchio's tardiness on the charcter of Kate?

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Posted by h1n4 on Friday January 30, 2009 at 11:20 AM and tagged with characters, kate, pertruchio, tardy, the taming of the shrew.

Answers:


  1. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Kate is embarrassed beyond belief.  It's one thing for Petruchio to be late to their wedding, but it's completely another to show up half inebriated and dressed so abominably out of fashion.  She takes it as an immense insult--a slap in the face of not only herself, but also her father and her family name.  It doesn't help that everyone is laughing that the resident shrew has been apparently "stood up" and jilted at the alter, but then shows up riding a nag, dressed in mismatched stockings and old clothes, and acting as if he had just left the nearest drinking establishment.  As a member of the audience, the reader understands that this is the first in many "lessons" that he is teaching Kate about humility and kindness to humankind.  In the end, Kate and Petruchio's marriage is to be considered the one based on mutual love and respect...the "shrew" of the play becomes the most honorable and respected wife of the three marriages which occur.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/taming

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Friday January 30, 2009 at 5:23 PM