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

3. 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

7. “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

8. 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

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

10. 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!)

11. 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)

12. . . .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.