This story is told in an interesting format, beginning with a poor man named Christopher Sly. Sly passes out in a tavern and a Lord finds it a brilliant idea to trick Sly into believing he is a Lord, equipped with a wife, servants, nice clothes, etc. Once they have managed to half-convince him of his Lordship, they begin to put a play on for him, the play of "The Taming of the Shrew."
The play begins with Baptista talking about how his younger daughter, Bianca, will not be able to recieve a husband, until his older daughter, Katherine, finds one for herself. Many find this an impossible because Katherine is what people in Shakespeare's time, would refer to as a shrew. A bitter girl, with a sharp tongue that is quick to cut anyone who she feels fit to.
Bianca has many suitors willing to marry her, not only for part of her large dowry, but also for her sweet nature. But only one is clever as Lucentio, who disguises himself as a school master in attempts to win Biancas heart over, after falling in love with her after setting his eyes on her. Tranio is Lucentio's assistant who helps Lucentio by pretending to be Lucentio to beg for Bianca's hand in marraige.
Then Pertruio comes along adamant in taking Katherine's hand in marraige.
Through sharp wit and banter, he manages to "train," Katherine to behave better than all the other wives.
Bianca marry's Lucentio, elopes with her. and Hortensio, another man after biance, marry's a widow he spoke of during the play. In the end Lucentio has a banquet to celebrate, and Pertrucio demonstrates how Katherine has learned discipline (or how her spirit has been broken), whilst the other wives behave less than optimally.
I take from this a sudden turn of events type of feel. Like, the ending just screams, "Told you so..." Katherine was never given a chance because she was not the most desirable in the lands. Well, there is another story where this idea is quite relevant. Sasha, do you know which story I refer to?
ReplyDeleteThe Ugly Duckling.
Right? Isn't the story similar in many ways? If there is one thing I have discovered since my enrollment in English, it's this: Many Shakespearean plays relate closely to a more recent work (i.e. Hamlet = The Lion King). The reason I say this is, once you have a basic idea, and figure out what other story is similar, you are able to see more in the text. You no longer have to worry about "but soft, what light through yonder window breaks..."
Your post was quick and easy to follow. I did not see an explanation of comedy versus tragedy, but I sense more comedic elements.
Awesome work.
Good job Sasha. I was previously unaware of the subplot of Christopher Sly, and thought it was just about the two daughters (I’ve not read it). The Sly thing sounds like an old Eddie Murphy movie called ‘Trading Places’ where the same trick is pulled on him.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I found your synopsis interesting, but also your comment at the end where you mention the banquet and Katherine being disciplined. You say in parenthesis that her spirit was broken and I think that is an excellent observation and probably true (although I have not read it). The fact that you say the other wives were behaving less than optimally is also interesting as the whole thing is about making a woman behave as expected.
I am wondering what ever happened with Sly? Does he ever become involved in any other way? (I should read it.)
I never thought about it, but the plot of this seems to have carried on to many other forms of entertainment. I know there have been episodes of Family Guy and other TV shows that attempt to change (usually a woman) to make her more desirable to the opposite sex.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, I loved the fact your synopsis is very short, sweet, and to the point. It made things a lot easier to understand--unlike my novel I wrote as a synopsis.
Also, I feel as though I have a connection with Katherine (I totally wish I had this play, but you beat me to it, fair and square). There are people like her who aren't afraid to be themselves and be witty (even though it might not be the most...socially acceptable), because it keeps them sane. Although I haven't been "broken" or "trained," I know people who have gone through similar experiences. It just shows that some of the most interesting characters from the...1600's(?)...are still around today.
Good job! :)