Kate the "Shrew"

Katherine or Kate is the shrew of the play's title and the female protagonist. She is the oldest daughter of Baptisa Minola and sister of Bianca. Kate is strong-willed and is willing to express whatever she feels regardless of others' feelings. In the beginning of the play, she is sharp-tongued and foul-tempered, and is called a shrew, in which is considered as the worst kind of woman in the time of this play. She constantly insults and degrade men all around her, which makes one think that unhappiness could be the source of it. After being called a shrew throughout society, she may be playing along and act as one because she is desperate and miserable with her life. Her dialogues and actions makes the play more humorous and entertaining as she searches for a husband. Kate feels out of place in society, but Petruchio is the first to really notice her, give her respect, and make her feel like a real person. Without Petruchio trying to tame and marry Kate along with Kate allowing Petruchio to tame and manipulate her because she desires to be wanted, like Bianca does by her suitors, the play would not have moved forward. She changes throughout the play mentally and emotionally, and probably noticed that Petruchio is manipulating and taming her. Kate wants to take this opportunity to change and start a new life even if she is being manipulated. At the end of the play, Kate has gained the position of a wife to Petruchio and an authoritative voice that she was previously denied throughout the play.