How Does Shakespeare Present the Themes of Love

and Marriage in The Taming of the Shrew?

Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew is a striking example of a play that
revolves around the themes of love and marriage. The clever use of the
characters is evident and utilised to set the atmosphere. Likewise, the
incorporation of language emphasises the themes and concepts Shakespeare
tries to bring out throughout the play. The setting and the humour also contribute
enormously in the presentation of the themes.
Character is a major aspect of Shakespeares play that stresses the themes of
love and marriage. As the play progresses, different characters stress power
struggles in marital relationships as seen in for I am born to tame you, Kate
comfortable as other household Kates. Hortensio, Gremio, Petruchio and
Lucentio all seek to be married and Shakespeare uses the characters in a way
that explicitly compares the before and after of marriage instead of
traditionally ending the play at marriage scene. For example, the while the play
beings with a very hostile relationship between Petruchio and Katherina, they
become the most devoted couple at the end. Moreover, the reader/viewer of the
play is constantly exposed to the different definitions of love each character
expresses while Petruchio views love as very much physical, Lucentio sees it as
an art. Katherina speaks of it militaristically, saying our lances are but straws
and therefore turning love into a sort of war.
Another way used to convey the themes of love and marriage is the use of
language. Language is very important in The Taming of the Shrew since it
reflects the personality of each of the characters. In the play, the language used
is often synonymous with physical violence and in some cases the speech act is
more harmful. One well-known example is the verbal duel between Petruchio and
Katherina while Katherina shouts vicious and witty insults at Petruchio: If I be
waspish, best beware my stingay, if the fool could found where it liesin his
tongue, Petruchio morphs these insults to become related to love: what, with
my tongue in your tail? Nay, come again. Good Kate, I am a gentleman. This is
an effective way to show the personality of the characters as well as outline the
importance of love and marriage in the play.

Moreover, the incorporation of a well thought out setting has been added to
powerfully further present the themes of love and marriage. The main play is set
in Padua, a place of upper middle-class people and known for its prestigious
university. In the beginning of the play, the viewer/reader is introduced to
Lucentio, a student who has come to study as this famous university: Tranio,
since for the great desire I had to see fair Padua, nursery of arts, however, as
soon as he sees Bianca, all notions of studying at this university disappear: O,
yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
Such as the daughter of Agenor had. Because of the strong and controlling
nature of love, Lucentio not only wants to woo Bianca, but he gives up his place
at respected university to his manservant. Shakespeare uses this to outline how
strong love is and how quickly it can change ones mind. This use of setting is
potent in strengthening the theme of love.
Finally, the humour is a big contributor in bringing out love and marriage. Since
much of the play is violence, Shakespeare has deliberately made humour a major
part of the play. This undermines the seriousness and the audiences focus is
more on the less serious, comedic love in the play. The wedding between
Katherina and Petruchio is a big example of this. Before the wedding, Katherina
has a tantrum which is later counterbalanced by the amusing manner in which
Petruchio arrives: a new hat and an old jerking; a pair of breeches thrice
turnedand a womans crupper of velour, which hath two letters for her name
fairly set down in studs, and her and there pieced with packthread. This
significantly strengthens the theme of marriage in the play since the viewer or
readers attention is immediately drawn to the marriage scene and is more
engaged.
In conclusion, Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew is compelling in the way
it presents love and marriage. These two themes are prominent throughout the
play and Shakespeare presents them in the most powerful way possible.
Character, setting, language and humour have all added various elements that
merge together in order to create the storytelling masterpiece.