Shrewish Behavior: Gender Competition in Shakespeare\u27s The Taming of the Shrew

This thesis evaluates competition in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, particularly the female characters’ competition and how it differs from and relates to the competition between men. The first chapter focuses on Katharina’s outwardly submissive actions and pays special attention to her critically problematic speech in Act 5. By analyzing the play’s treatment of female relationships, the thesis proposes that Katharina acts competitively, rather than submissively. The second chapter addresses male competition, particularly how competition molds the males’ relationships with each other and with the females. Although they compete separately, the each gender needs the other to give their competition purpose. By viewing the play’s gendered relationships as a form of competition, the thesis argues that the females do not merely serve as objects to the males’ triangulated desire, and instead have agency within the play