The Taming of the Shrew Analysis Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary terms and key concepts from The Taming of the Shrew, focusing on social expectations, rebellion, and performance.

Mild and gentle

The phrase describing the Elizabethan social expectation that women should be obedient and quiet, which Katherine is criticized for failing to meet.

As if I knew not what to say

Katherine's statement rejecting how society speaks of her, demonstrating her awareness of how reputation is weaponized against her individuality.

Curst

The label used to describe Katherine due to her sharp tongue and refusal to be submissive without reason.

With an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches

The costume Petruchio wears to his wedding to strategically subvert social norms and undermine societal expectations of male decorum.

Place your hands below your husband’s foot

A quote from Katherine’s final speech that suggests her transformation into an ideal obedient wife, often interpreted through tone and extended metaphor.

Social expectations

Rigid norms that shape the behavior of characters and create tension between reputation and identity in the play.

Rebellion

A theme explored through Katherine’s emotional resistance and Petruchio’s strategic, performative subversion of social codes.

Strategic rebellion

Petruchio’s method of acting outrageously to assert dominance and destabilize Katherine’s resistance.

Performance

The concept that social roles and conformity are constructed masks rather than natural behaviors, often used as a strategy for survival.

Dramatic irony

A dramatic technique used by Shakespeare to emphasize how rebellion serves as a tool for resisting oppression.

Extended metaphor

A technique used in Katherine’s final speech to create ambiguity, leaving the audience unsure of her genuine transformation.

Elizabethan social structures

The historical context of the play characterized by patriarchal beliefs and rigid gendered expectations placed upon women.

PETAL Structure

A clear paragraph structure consisting of Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, and Link used to break down the play's themes.