Taming of the Shrew - Petruchios Game

Petruchio in the Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, teaches Katherine to play his game in order to escape being trapped by Paduan values. Katherine goes through the process of transformation, she was trapped in the confines of Padua, yet thrives to escape the lifestyle. Her transformation is seen throughout the play, and the attempts to evade the mercenary values of Padua. Petruchio finally displays her transformation through the betting scene.

Katherine, the ‘shrew’ is known for her stubborn and stingy ways is unwilling to submit the typical patriarchal and mercenary Paduan values. She is not surprised when Petruchio decides that their wedding day will be on Sunday. Katherine is not willing to be bossed around and submit to the typical Paduan ways, showing her stubbornness and replying with "I'll see thee hanged on Sunday first". Kate is a very independent and stubborn woman who has her eyes set on marrying a man she loves, and a man that loves her back, not for the money her father possesses. Petruchio has risen up to the challenge and begins acting as a reflection of Kate. He is rude, stubborn and willful. This is ironic as Petruchio, throughout act I, is only about her fathers wealth and estates. He continues to carry on the Paduan values in his attempts to “tame” Katherine throughout this act displaying a true mercenary.

Katherine complains of Petruchio torments under the pretense of love. This pretense along with Petruchio’s erratic and rude behavior makes it hard for her to react to his actions with her typical anger, since he seems to have the best intentions and to only desire her happiness and comfort. And yet, given Kate’s obvious intelligence, it is remarkable that she does not see through Petruchio’s facade and realize that he is doing everything simply to frustrate her, and submit to his game. It is clear that Petruchio is masking himself, in order to tame yet woo Katherine. He acts as a Paduan,