Is There Hostility or Love? Jenny Huang 黃逸涵 The Relationship between Katharina and Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew (1967)”

The Taming of the Shrew (1967) Directed by Franco Zeffirelli Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

About the original play There have been many different opinions about Katharina and Petruchio. They can be roughly divided into two sides. 1.Petruchio is a chauvinist! This play is an insult to women! 2.Actually, Katharina is not tamed; she is so wise that she chooses to be passive.

So, how did Franco Zeffirelli interpret “The Taming of the Shrew”?

The Process of Taming (1) Inhuman!!! In the film, the process is spotted with kindness. Petruchio shows both force and concerns ▫Petruchio helps her to stand up and walk when she twists her ankle, whereas the next scene is that he grabs her arm to keep her quiet. ▫He lets her take a comfortable sleep at night after she tumbled home alone in rain, ate nothing as dinner and had a fight with him in bed.

Katharina’s Last Speech (1) Interpreted as the ultimate goal Shakespeare set for all the women. In the film, Petruchio’s reaction demonstrates his uncertainty about his “taming.” ▫After the widow’s and Bianca’s resistance, Petruchio looks anxious and worried. Not until Katharina shows up does he feel released.

Katharina Is Wise (2) She finds out her own way to get along with her husband. In the film, there are several times that she chooses to be obedient. ▫Katharina agrees with Petruchio that it is seven o’clock while it is actually two. ▫Katharina kisses him in public, but instead of his lips, she kisses his nose. ▫She doesn’t speak against Petruchio immediately when he says it’s the moon while pointing to the sun. Instead, she smiles and says nothing.

Why does it seem that Zeffirelli stands out for both of the characters?

Possible Reason There is love between them, more or less! Katharina ▫The next day of their marriage, she gets up early to clean up the house happily with the servants and make new clothes for them. Petruchio ▫On their way to her father’s house, he passes over a cup of water to her and then holds her carefully to help her go down the horse.

I Swear that I’m not Kidding! This explanation may be how Zeffirelli polishes the criticisms which attack the playwright. This explanation surprises the audiences again and again.

To Be Honest, I Admire… Petruchio’s wisdom ▫He uses a more useful way to get what he wants. Katharina’s intelligence ▫She knows how to get along with him and survive under his mistreatment. Their relationship begins with conflists but ends up with a harmony. Actually, the happy ending makes me almost forget the terrible fighting part.

This Film On the surface: ▫Franco Zeffirelli doesn’t go too far from the original play. If examined this argument: ▫Weaving his new ideas into his film, Franco Zeffirelli turns Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” into his.

Other Versions Shakespeare Retold by BBC (2006) (TV) Shakespeare Retold by BBC (2006) (TV) Kiss Me Kate (1953) 10 Things I Hate about You (1999)

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