What is the source of The Taming of the Shrew?
In 1964, Richard Hosley suggested the main source for the play may have been the anonymous ballad “A merry jeste of a shrewde and curst Wyfe, lapped in Morrelles Skin, for her good behauyour”. The ballad tells the story of a marriage in which the husband must tame his headstrong wife.
What inspired Shakespeare to write Taming of the Shrew?
Shakespeare got inspiration from many folktales and ballads popular in England about shrewish wives being tamed by their aggressive husbands. He created a troubling comedy that explored Elizabethan issues of gender.
Where is Taming of the Shrew based?
The Taming of the Shrew is set in Padua and the countryside near Verona. It has been suggested that the induction scene is really set in Shakespeare’s native Warwickshire.
Why did Shakespeare include the induction in Taming of the Shrew?
The Induction, then, is a vital part of The Taming of the Shrew because it prepares audiences for the transformations and tamings that are about to occur in the play. While the lord is attempting to transform Sly, the Induction brilliantly transforms Shakespeare’s audience.
What is the main theme of Taming of the Shrew?
Instead, The Taming of the Shrew emphasizes the economic aspects of marriage—specifically, how economic considerations determine who marries whom. The play tends to explore romantic relationships from a social perspective, addressing the institutions of courtship and marriage rather than the inner passions of lovers.
What is the main theme of The Taming of the Shrew?
How does the taming of the shrew relate to modern society?
Shakespeare’s works are a form of social commentary. The Taming of the Shrew is still performed today because the social commentary of Shakespeare’s time can be adapted and applied to current global and social issues. Shakespeare’s works are in constant reproduction because they are relevant.
What is the purpose of The Taming of the Shrew?