Petruccio’s actions can not be justified at all. His blatant abuse and humiliation of Katherine is unacceptable and it almost seems that he is misogynistic (hates women). When Petruccio is first introduced we get the impression that he is looking for an easy life and he is willing to marry any women for money. “why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet ... or an old trot... though she have as many diseases as two and fifty horses; why, nothing comes amiss, so money comes withal” Act. I sc. II 78. Petruccio would marry a puppet or a diseased filled hag for enough money. His lust for money makes Petruccio a character of questionable values. We can see that a character that solely believes in money would not have the best interest of his future wife at heart. These character flaws become obvious in his mistreatment of his wife during her wedding and the subsequent events at their house.
At the wedding Petruccio makes a fool out of his wife and himself. He appears in a run down wagon, which is being pulled by diseased horses. He himself is wearing clothes that don’t match and are ragged. He exclaims “I will be master of what is mine own: She is my goods, my chattels; she is my house, my household stuff, my field, my barn, my horse, my ox, my ass, my anything” Act III sc. II 233. Petruccio continues to show his inner character, he expresses his belief that Katherine is his property. From his remarks Katherine is put on the same level as an ox or household stuff. Petruccio doesn’t value Katherine as a quick witted bright lady, instead he only sees her as a challenge to over come and a way to wealth. When Petruccio tries to justify his actions at the end of Act 4 sc 1 his reasoning only further shows what a far fetched plan he as concocted. It is obvious that he is trying to cover up his real intentions and beliefs. The degradation of women is unjustifiable. Petruccio’s actions only point out his weaknesses. He is unable to handle Katherine. He has to resort to supposedly well thought out plans which include erratic behavior and humiliation.
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3 comments:
You offer an interesting perspective in the idea that Petruccio's initial intentions were to marry Katherine without the need to change her personality. I'm not sure why exactly he decides he need to change her, it seems to me that perhaps he is fond of challenges. Perhaps he cares not so much about the money as he does about achieving the seemingly impossible. It is indeed very difficult to determine his true intentions since Shakespeare doesn't really give us too much insight into his character.
Petruccio definitely has an interesting set of values. It makes me wonder how the audience of Shakespeare's time would have considered his quest for money as opposed to love. Would they have been impressed by his "taming" of Kate or would they feel that he has killed her spirit as we do today?
It's clear that Petruchio takes his actions way too far. I disagree though that you think he couldn't handle Kate. I don't think he felt like that at all but rather he felt like it was a game to tame Kate and that is what he did.
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