The Taming of the Shrew

Taming of the Shrew 2

In the Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio recognizes, respects and

desires Kate's intelligence and strength of character. He does not

want to conquer or truly tame her. He is a man who is very

confident in himself and does not want or need someone to

massage his ego. Petruchio seems to me to be a man of sport

and challenge and likes to surround himself with witty, challenging

people. He wants in a mate what Kate has - fire.

From Petruchio's response to his friend Hortensio (I.ii.64-75), it

might be said that Petruchio came to Padua to make himself

richer by marriage, to any woman, no matter how wretched.

Petruchio is not in desperate need of money (I.ii.56-57). He tells

Hortensio (I.ii.49-57) that his father has died and that he is out in

the world to gain experiences he cannot at home and only

secondarily to find a wife. Also, immediately before this

declaration, is the scene of misunderstanding between he and his

servant Grumio about knocking on the gate (I.ii.5-43). I see this

exchange as demonstration of his enjoyment of verbal sport, a

good example of Petruchio's sense of humor and his appreciation

of things non-conventional. Though Petruchio may not agree with

what society has determined to be proper and dignified, he is

aware of the importance of appearing to conform. In what he

says to Hortensio, I feel he is simply extending this sport and

humor into the ironic.