The process of transformation of Shakespeare's 15th Century "The Taming of the Shrew" to the 20th Century "Ten Things I Hate About You" has been dramatic but at the same time retained the essential ideas of the original text. This means that while the original plot The Taming of The Shrew has been altered in 10 Things, the themes are still the same. Problems of human relationships and the importance of social structures are present in both texts. The characters of 10 Things may use the language of the 1990s and have modern day interests and occupations, but they depict similar types of people with the same traits as Shakespeare's characters. So while the setting of The Taming of the Shrew has become the 1990s Padua, the essential themes and character elements of Taming of the Shrew are retained in 10 Things.
Taming of the Shrew is a study of human relationships in a society where social hierarchy and social attitudes affect almost all aspects of the lives of our community.
William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, Act IV,...
Taming of the Shrew by Augustus Egg
Photo of the first page of The Taming of the Shrew...The Patriarchal society of Padua in the 16th Century represents the limits associated with characters, and ultimately defines their specific gender roles. These roles have created the format for male domination; and are clearly demonstrated through the character of Petruchio. Petruchio is a superior and controlling male who has total power over his wife, Kate. He suggests to Kate at their reception "she is my goods, she is my house, she is my household stuffâ¦my anything". Petruchio proves that he is now Kate's owner, demonstrating the superiority of men during the 16th Century. Consequently this leaves females to the submissive, inferior role in the customary social hierarchy. The female role is demonstrated through Kate in her final speech to Bianca and the widow; she states...