Changes of a Patriarchal Era in a Movie Based on The Taming of the Shrew
Although some aspects of William Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew are no longer accepted in contemporary times due to the play’s subordination of women it still has high literary value. This is because the play gives insight into a more patriarchal era that is no longer tolerated, showing how much we as a society have evolved since then. These changes are reflected in the 1999 modern film appropriation of the play, 10 Things I Hate About You.
Additionally, this film displays the ongoing relevance of The Taming of the Shrew as much of the play’s central themes and concerns are retained and updated to be socially acceptable. This is because negotiations, power struggles and adapting to the other person are all timeless and universal concerns in terms of the dynamics within a romantic relationship, whether it be a marriage in the late 1500s or dating in the 1990s. These universal concerns are exemplified in Act 4, Scene 1 of the play where Petruchio explains his strategy to domesticate Katherina and its corresponding scenes in the film in which Patrick attempts to change to suit Kat.
In Petruchio’s soliloquy, he describes the domestication of Katherina through the analogy of the sport of falconry, keeping her hungry and tired for some time disguised in the pretense that these are actions of affection. He planned ‘to make her come and know her keeper’s call’ treating Katherina as if she were a wild animal, indicating that she’ll adapt to her prescribed social role, obeying her ‘keeper’, Petruchio. The effect of analogy on the reader is a deeper understanding of the imbalance in terms of power within the relationship in which the male asserts patriarchal dominance over the female who has no choice but to submit to his command. This idea that romantic relationships are inevitably a process of adapting to the needs of the other person is appropriated 400 years later in 10 Things I Hate About You. In one scene, Michael and Cameron visit Patrick at the Biker Bar to give him information about Kat’s preferences so that he can adhere to her values. This comedic exchange of dialogue is accompanied by a close-up shot alternating between the characters. Thus, the continuing use of Shakespeare’s language, characterization, narrative and comedic elements to explore the ageless concerns in the film adaptation, adds to the enduring literary value of The Taming of the Shrew.
However, the characterization of Petruchio and Patrick differs in their ways of ‘taming’ Katherina and Kat. Unlike Petruchio who tames Katherina by denying her sleep and food, Patrick changes to suit Kat, hence showing the stark difference in a social context, especially regarding gender roles, relationships between the sexes and societal values. By transforming the play into a teen romantic comedy film, Shakespeare’s craft becomes more accessible for a modern audience, thus enhancing the literary value of his play. Therefore, the exploration of relationships in 10 Things I Hate About You such as Kat and Petruchio’s adds to the literary value of The Taming of the Shrew.
