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    Analysis of Petruchio's Soliloquy

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    frizz19
    This document analyzes Petruchio's soliloquy in Act 4 Scene 1 of The Taming of the Shrew. It discusses how Petruchio uses metaphors and language to portray his objective to tame Katherina and make her conform to social standards. While some see this as misogynistic treatment, others argue he aims to help her become socially acceptable. The analysis also considers how audiences may interpret Petruchio's soliloquy differently, with some seeing it as explaining his methods and others seeing it as disrespectful towards women.

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    Analysis of Petruchio's Soliloquy

    Uploaded by

    frizz19
    6K views1 page
    This document analyzes Petruchio's soliloquy in Act 4 Scene 1 of The Taming of the Shrew. It discusses how Petruchio uses metaphors and language to portray his objective to tame Katherina and make her conform to social standards. While some see this as misogynistic treatment, others argue he aims to help her become socially acceptable. The analysis also considers how audiences may interpret Petruchio's soliloquy differently, with some seeing it as explaining his methods and others seeing it as disrespectful towards women.

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    This document analyzes Petruchio's soliloquy in Act 4 Scene 1 of The Taming of the Shrew. It discusses how Petruchio uses metaphors and language to portray his objective to tame Katherina and make her conform to social standards. While some see this as misogynistic treatment, others argue he aims to help her become socially acceptable. The analysis also considers how audiences may interpret Petruchio's soliloquy differently, with some seeing it as explaining his methods and others seeing it as disrespectful towards women.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    6K views1 page

    Analysis of Petruchio's Soliloquy

    Uploaded by

    frizz19
    This document analyzes Petruchio's soliloquy in Act 4 Scene 1 of The Taming of the Shrew. It discusses how Petruchio uses metaphors and language to portray his objective to tame Katherina and make her conform to social standards. While some see this as misogynistic treatment, others argue he aims to help her become socially acceptable. The analysis also considers how audiences may interpret Petruchio's soliloquy differently, with some seeing it as explaining his methods and others seeing it as disrespectful towards women.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    Isobel Reed

    Analysis of Petruchios Soliloquy Act 4, Scene 1


    At the end of act 4 scene 1 in The Taming of The Shrew, Petruchio has a soliloquy in which
    he tells the audience of his plan to tame Katherina. The aim of the soliloquy could be seen
    as a way of letting the reader understand why he is acting in such a wild manner, although it
    may be seen by some audiences as a continuation of Petruchios almost dictatorial rule over
    Kate, and just confirms his misogynistic motives to control her.
    The metaphorical and modal language used in the passage portrays Petruchios objective
    view of Kate, and his determination to tame her to become socially acceptable. Petruchio
    calls Kate My falcon early on in the soliloquy, and the use of a metaphor comparing Kate to
    a wild animal implies her wild nature and how Petruchio sees she needs to be tamed. By
    calling her an animal, it could also be seen as Petruchio objectifying Kate, and this could
    suggest that he doesnt care for her as a wife, and merely shes her taming as a game and a
    toy to play with. However, by calling her a falcon, some may view this as Petruchio showing
    Kate of, as a falcon is a majestic animal, and by calling Kate a falcon instead of a more
    lowly animal may portray a pride in Kate from Petruchio.
    Shakespeare also uses modal verbs here to portray to the audience Petruchios
    determination to tame Kate. Petruchio aims to make sure Kate not be full-gorged and to
    not sleep in his company until she learns to obey his orders and conform to social ideas. By
    saying none shall eat and she shall not, Petruchio is showing his determination to tame
    Kate and he shall make her conform. As well as this, at the very end of the soliloquy,
    Shakespeare writes a rhetorical statement from Petruchio to the audience, asking them if
    any knows better how to tame a shrew. This blunt statement shows Petruchios confidence
    in his methods, and also shows his purpose to the audience, as he clearly states how he sees
    taming Kate as a form of schooling, and this may again imply that he sees it as a game. It
    also implies a self confidence and arrogance in Petruchio that he feels he can tame Kate by
    himself. Although, in contrast, this could also show a caring side to Petruchio, as he is taking
    Kate to a taming school, he is taking the time to care for her and aid her to become a more
    socially acceptable woman.
    The affect this forceful language has on the audience may vary. Some audiences may view
    this soliloquy as a technique to outline the purpose of Petruchios taming of Kate, and tells
    the audience of his methods to show that his state of mind is not deteriorating. This will
    make the audience feel more secure in Petruchios seemingly out-of-control actions, and
    will then make them seem more comic later on in the play as they know he is not being
    cruel to Kate for the pleasure of seeing her suffer. However, other audiences could see
    Petruchios soliloquy as a display of lack of respect towards Kate, and maybe in turn women
    (having a misogynistic quality). The impersonal manner of his speech could imply how
    Petruchio sees Kate as a goal, not a relationship and in turn, makes the audience resent
    Petruchio and sympathise with Kate.

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