Although Shakespeare's plays appear to be largely two-dimensional, there are characters who, at times, portray a three-dimensional, sort of self awareness of their dramatic situation. For example, in The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio often speaks his plans unnecessarily aloud to the audience with comical descriptions. Additionally, Feste in Twelfth Night portrays his "self awareness" through dialogue only the audience would find comical given their omniscient view point and detachment from the story. However, as mere characters in a play, Petruchio and Feste aren't truly self-aware. In actuality, when these characters appear to be self-aware, it is Shakespeare arguing a point regarding the central theme of the play. Shakespeare uses Petruchio's
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Given the circumstance, it is unnecessary for Petruchio to remind himself of his plans for Kate, but he does so nonetheless. For example, in act two, scene one, Petruchio explains to the audience and himself how he'll match Kate's negativity with kindness. Petruchio speaks of how "say that [Kate] rail, why then [Petruchio will] tell her plain / She sings as sweetly as a nightingale" (2.1.161-162), or how "if [Kate] do bid [Petruchio] pack, [he'll] give her thanks, / As though she bid [him] stay by her a week" (2.1.168-169). If Kate yells at Petruchio, then he'll praise her voice, or if Kate tells Petruchio to leave her, he'll thank her for her time in a way that would seem as if Kate wanted Petruchio to stay longer. Instead of a romanticized chase much like an intricate dance between potential partners, Petruchio outlines his pursuit of Kate as if it were a duel. As if that isn't odd enough, Petruchio doesn't need to say the plan aloud, but he does so nonetheless. Petruchio outlines the following dialogue as if he knows it's for the audience's benefit, in order to understand what he was doing to Kate. This odd behavior is repeated in act four scene one as well when Petruchio lays down the plan he has for "taming" Kate. Petruchio once again narrates his plan for Kate to practically himself for the audience's sake of understanding. Petruchio does not need …show more content…
Petruchio's elaborate declarations of love in retaliation to Kate's deterrents mock those of common romantic relationships. Petruchio and Kate's whole banter in act two scene one ridicules the romanticized chase and meet-cutes of stereotypical love stories. The two partners don't fall in love at first sight while preaching the god-like qualities of their partner. Petruchio specifically states that he is using such sweet compliments to "one-up" her unabashed hate for him. Petruchio's "taming" of Kate also shows a satire on male views of femininity. Society dictates that men in love generally view their partners as soft and delicate forms to balance out their masculinity. Contrasting that, Petruchio views Kate as a feral and aggressive falcon that needs to be aggressively put in her place. This all then adds to Shakespeare's discussion of the realities of healthy relationships in The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio serves to show a more realistic side of relationships while satirizing a stereotypical
Given the circumstance, it is unnecessary for Petruchio to remind himself of his plans for Kate, but he does so nonetheless. For example, in act two, scene one, Petruchio explains to the audience and himself how he'll match Kate's negativity with kindness. Petruchio speaks of how "say that [Kate] rail, why then [Petruchio will] tell her plain / She sings as sweetly as a nightingale" (2.1.161-162), or how "if [Kate] do bid [Petruchio] pack, [he'll] give her thanks, / As though she bid [him] stay by her a week" (2.1.168-169). If Kate yells at Petruchio, then he'll praise her voice, or if Kate tells Petruchio to leave her, he'll thank her for her time in a way that would seem as if Kate wanted Petruchio to stay longer. Instead of a romanticized chase much like an intricate dance between potential partners, Petruchio outlines his pursuit of Kate as if it were a duel. As if that isn't odd enough, Petruchio doesn't need to say the plan aloud, but he does so nonetheless. Petruchio outlines the following dialogue as if he knows it's for the audience's benefit, in order to understand what he was doing to Kate. This odd behavior is repeated in act four scene one as well when Petruchio lays down the plan he has for "taming" Kate. Petruchio once again narrates his plan for Kate to practically himself for the audience's sake of understanding. Petruchio does not need …show more content…
Petruchio's elaborate declarations of love in retaliation to Kate's deterrents mock those of common romantic relationships. Petruchio and Kate's whole banter in act two scene one ridicules the romanticized chase and meet-cutes of stereotypical love stories. The two partners don't fall in love at first sight while preaching the god-like qualities of their partner. Petruchio specifically states that he is using such sweet compliments to "one-up" her unabashed hate for him. Petruchio's "taming" of Kate also shows a satire on male views of femininity. Society dictates that men in love generally view their partners as soft and delicate forms to balance out their masculinity. Contrasting that, Petruchio views Kate as a feral and aggressive falcon that needs to be aggressively put in her place. This all then adds to Shakespeare's discussion of the realities of healthy relationships in The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio serves to show a more realistic side of relationships while satirizing a stereotypical