Taming of the Shrew

1. Taming of the Shrew William Shakespeare

2. William Shakespeare Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to an upper middle-class family In 1582, he married an older woman named Anne Hathaway and had three children. Around 1590, Shakespeare left his family and moved to London to become a playwright.

3. London Shakespeare quickly gained recognition and fame and became the most well known playwright in London. He was a favorite of both Elizabeth I and James I James I gave Shakespeare’s company the title of “King’s Men” – the biggest honor a playwright could receive.

4. Conspiracy Some critics have claimed that Shakespeare did not actually write his plays. Most scholars do not agree with this theory due to its lack of evidence.

5. The Taming of the Shrew A play focused on marriage Set in Elizabethan era 1534- Henry VIII causes the separation of England from the Catholic Church in order to receive a divorce There were few ways to receive a divorce, regardless of how unhappy the marriage was

6. The Taming of the Shrew Many of the marriages during this time period were arranged for money, land, etc. The concept of taming a “shrew” was the topic of many books, sermons, etc. “shrew”- a wife who undermined her husband’s authority, talked back, gossiped, etc.

7. Themes • Theme: fundamental ideas and values explored in a literary work • The economic aspect of marriage • People marrying for wealth/power over love

8. Themes • The effect of social roles on a person’s happiness How a person behaves is determined by what their social status is.

9. Motifs • Motifs are reoccuring symbols, themes, literary devices that help construct the play’s major themes. • Disguise • A person in disguise can transcend social statuses and barriers.

10. Motifs • The domestication of women • The “taming” of Kate • How does domesticating a woman defines the relationship