gabieowleyess's review
2.0
I read this for my Theatre History class. I am super interested in seeing where the conversation for that class is going to go because this play was very interesting.
crtilden's review
4.0
My second time reading it - the first time through is generally pleasing and fun. Upon a second read, it is simply horrifying the treatment that Kate endures from the men in her life. I’m still giving it 4 stars because it is Shakespeare, and sometimes books piss you off. I’m not saying he was correct to write this, but this play definitely houses the mindset of men of that time period and their opinion of women, which can still be reflected to some men today. This play still has merit in the text, and a great jumping off point for a feminist criticism essay.
magistratrium's review
5.0
I have always loved this play and every time I read it, I find more and more to love. Shakespeare says so much in so few lines. One of his best, in my opinion.
theverbalthing's review
4.0
I will forever interpret this in my own feminist viewpoint, which probably, somehow, makes me a "bad feminist." But Shrew is one of my favorite Shakespearean comedies because it offers so much to play with, especially in terms of social roles and the power balance between men and women. Sex isn't the only thing which can dictate the direction of a relationship.
verydazedragon's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Shakespeare's plays often explore gender roles. In Merchant of Venice, Twlefth Night, and As You Like It, the heroines all disguise themselves as men in order to save their incompetent lovers. In A Winter's Tale, Hermione lives in hiding, submissively, if you will, until the moment she is able to make a dramatic return, causing her husband much regret at his treatment of her. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is an influence over her husband that keeps him heading down the path of treachery. In this play, The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare's tone is ironic, witty, and filled heavily with innuendo. But the point of the play is often quite clearly missed. Just as Sly was brought into a lords house, dressed as a lord, and treated as Lord, and perhaps even believes it, Katherine is married to Petruchio in humiliating fashion, starved and isolated in turn, gaslit and psychologically tortured to the point of apparent submission. The point of the play was this: Katherine's headstrong nature was not changed. Neither was Sly's: treating them accordingly did not change their identity in the slightest, though it did cause them both to doubt things they thought intensic to who they are. And neither one of them can and will remain the role they are playing.
cestlavita's review
2.0
Shakespeare isn't half as funny as he thinks he is. And I feel kinda bad for him.
As someone who grew up watching "ten things I hate about you" I am so disappointed.
This play was all over the place and I don't think this is one of the cases when the humor is lost over the centuries because I don't think it was ever funny.
It starts with a completely different story that makes no sense, has no connection with the taming of a shrew and has no conclusion whatsoever. The whole story is full of useless, meaningless characters that seem to be there to make your reading even more confusing than it already is. The prologue even more so.
The "main" story is (and I can't believe I'm saying that about the plot of 10 things I hate about you) boring. The characters have no driving, no goal and no reason as to why they're so annoying.
Katherine is a contrarian and that seems to be her only personality trait.
Petruchio is a gold-digger jerk that starved his wife so he could force her into obeying him.
Bianca could've been considered dull if she had had enough space to show some personality.
The Lucentio-Tranio plot was messy. (And unnecessary if I'm being honest.)
And I don't remember the name of the other characters, even though there's a least 8 more to mention and I just finished this book.
"The taming of a shrew" was bad. I'm so glad it wasn't the first Shakespeare play I've read or I'm not sure I'd be willing to read any of his other works ever again. Because it was so not funny that I kinda feel embarrassed on his behalf.
As someone who grew up watching "ten things I hate about you" I am so disappointed.
This play was all over the place and I don't think this is one of the cases when the humor is lost over the centuries because I don't think it was ever funny.
It starts with a completely different story that makes no sense, has no connection with the taming of a shrew and has no conclusion whatsoever. The whole story is full of useless, meaningless characters that seem to be there to make your reading even more confusing than it already is. The prologue even more so.
The "main" story is (and I can't believe I'm saying that about the plot of 10 things I hate about you) boring. The characters have no driving, no goal and no reason as to why they're so annoying.
Katherine is a contrarian and that seems to be her only personality trait.
Petruchio is a gold-digger jerk that starved his wife so he could force her into obeying him.
Bianca could've been considered dull if she had had enough space to show some personality.
The Lucentio-Tranio plot was messy. (And unnecessary if I'm being honest.)
And I don't remember the name of the other characters, even though there's a least 8 more to mention and I just finished this book.
"The taming of a shrew" was bad. I'm so glad it wasn't the first Shakespeare play I've read or I'm not sure I'd be willing to read any of his other works ever again. Because it was so not funny that I kinda feel embarrassed on his behalf.