Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare
The description of a woman who should be held in high regard has changed over the past century, especially in the last half. Sharp-witted, shrewd, and bold are definitions that come to my mind when I think of the modern woman. This ideal has become prevalent because of the media that surrounds us as a society. Kate from The Taming of the Shrew would be a heroine in popular media today. She is sassy, irreverent, and cruel to those around her. No one could control her and no one dared. She knew it and she liked it. She was drunk from the power that she held over other people.
I liken this ideal of modern womanhood--- bold, sassy, and in-your-face--- to a hurricane. It causes destruction and wreaks havoc upon those around her. For example, when a woman is not controlling her temper, she loses the ability to hear and listen. The windy wrath that she expels blows respect and admiration away. Many people come to fear and avoid the woman who behaves in this manner. Just as Kate was disagreeable, sharp-tongued, and violent at times, ‘modern-women’ can make those around her dread her presence. I believe that Kate reveled in the power she had, and she felt justified in her temperament because of the jealousy over her ‘ideal’ sister, Bianca. Yet, instinctively I could sense the disappointment and sadness that she felt. She wanted to be appreciated and admired but her disposition did not allow it, therefore, it made her angrier and so the winds of discontent blew harder.
However, just as there is an eye in the center of the hurricane, calm can be found in the seat of a woman’s soul. Kate had to be humbled and broken of her vindictive spirit. I think the secret in making Kate realize her difficulties which helped change her attitude was in “killing with kindness” as Petruchio found. As with every person, Kate was bound by the human condition. We must all learn to control our appetites and passions so that they will be subservient to our will. Kate was bound by her strong feelings and out of control behavior, but when she was forced to fast, and clothing and comfort was withheld from her, she became humble. She learned difficult lessons through the crisis that Petruchio put her through; however, after this occurred Kate was reformed and she found peace.
I believe that women are born with a nature that is partly to nurture and foster growth in others. When a woman finds a peaceful attitude about her role in life, it can help her intuit the needs of others and render service where needed. This is a great power that can be fostered and strengthened into developing people and relationships.
In the end, Kate described the type of woman who she used to be and how she feels about it now. She declared that a woman who is scornful, harsh and callous as one whose beauty is blotted and marred. “I am asham’d that women are so simple, To offer war where they should kneel for peace, Or seek for rule, supremacy, and sway, When they are bound to serve, love, and obey.” She realized that only in fulfilling her proper role as a gentle-woman would she find contentment. She also acknowledged and showed appreciation for men and their role as protector, provider, and defender of women, family, and home.
“Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, Shall win my love.” I hope to instill the virtues of gentleness and tenderness into the girls I know by example. I want them to appreciate their womanly gifts and the feminine attributes they have. I hope this development will lead them to believe in the virtues of what I will describe as the ‘Neo-modern-woman’… smart but humble, courageous yet calm, witty but kind, and loyal and loving. These are some of the ideals of women that I believe we will see growing with the future, despite the all-consuming media of the day. Like the gentle wind of a spring zephyr, the influence that good women have is emerging into a powerful force that will sweep away the prevalent but false viewpoint of the modern-woman today.
Copyright L.L. Williams
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