The Taming of the Shrew The available evidence supports a very early date for the play’s creation, and 1593-1594 is often suggested.

The structure of the play is unique because it the only work by Shakespeare that is a play within a play. The Induction serves as a framework for the play; however, the characters in the Induction are abandoned after Act I Scene I

“Property” marriage vs. “Companionate” marriage An Elizabethan father had absolute right to dispose of daughters by marriage. “Property” marriage vs. “Companionate” marriage Average age: Girls 25-26 Boys 28-29 Reasons for delay Resulted in smaller families Financial stability

Traditional Roles Husbands: Wives: Provide for family Be patient with wives’ frailties and shortcomings Wives: Meek Patient Quiet – Silent Obedient Put up with whatever husbands dish out

New Woman Educated Considered herself almost the equal of men Refused to be treated like chattel

write in “Old English.” Shakespeare did NOT Old English is the language of Beowulf: Hwaet! We Gardena in geardagum Þeodcyninga Þrym gefrunon Hu ða æÞelingas ellen fremedon! (Hey! We have heard of the glory of the Spear-Danes in the old days, the kings of tribes, how noble princes showed great courage!)

Shakespeare did NOT write in “Middle English.” Middle English is the language of Chaucer: We redeth oft and findeth y-write— And this clerkes wele it wite— Layes that ben in harping Ben y-founde of ferli thing… (Sir Orfeo)

. . .so why does it sound so odd? His vocabulary is sometimes incomprehensible Inverted word order Grammar is unfamiliar If you get the gist of the language, you are fine.