Summary:
Although Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare frowns upon women who are open minded, the time period in which it was written has a different perspective than the present and it is also a comedy. During the sixteenth century people's thoughts differed about this comedy and the ways it can be interpreted. In determining whether this play is sexist, trying to state that a sixteenth century comedy is sexist in the twenty-first century does not seem to hold credence.
In The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary "interpretation" is defined as a noun to explain or tell the meaning of: present in understandable terms ("interpretation"). The way people interpret what they read determines how they feel about the text. Although Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare frowns upon women who are open minded, the time period in which it was written has a different perspective than the present and it is also a comedy.
Some audiences may believe the play is sexist due to the way the last monologue is interpreted by the reader. Kate states, "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 (Shakespeare)." This monologue can be taken.....
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