Introduction
In William Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew,” the question of who is the best wife is ultimately subjective and can be answered in various ways, depending on one’s interpretation of the characters’ actions and the play’s themes. However, the play’s final scene offers a telling test of obedience, which was a highly regarded quality in a wife during the time the play was written. At the end of the play, Lucentio, Petruchio, and Hortensio each wager on whose wife is the most compliant. They decide to test their wives by calling them to come to them. Surprisingly, it is Katherina, who responds obediently to Petruchio’s call, while the others reject the call.
The Best Wife in The Taming of the Shrew
Bianca, who was perceived throughout the play as the mild-mannered and desirable younger sister, disregards Lucentio’s request, because she is busy. Similarly, the widow, whom Hortensio has married after giving up on pursuing Bianca, also disobeys her husband’s call, mocking him in the process. This subversion of expectations challenges the initial impressions of both Bianca and the widow.
Katherina’s response is a powerful moment in the play, as she not only comes to Petruchio but also delivers a lengthy monologue on the duties of wives to their husbands. Her speech extols the virtues of wifely obedience and the importance of supporting and yielding to one’s husband, which, in the context of the play, is seen as a sign of her transformation and her acceptance of the social norms of the period. The contrast between the wives’ reactions to their husbands’ calls serves to highlight the play’s exploration of marital responsibilities and the balance of power in relationships. While Katherina’s obedience may be viewed as a victory for Petruchio and his unconventional methods of “taming,” some modern interpretations suggest that there may be an element of irony or performance in her actions, questioning the sincerity of her transformation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if one measures the “best wife” by the standards of the play’s time—obedience to one’s husband—Katherina emerges as the exemplary wife at the end of “The Taming of the Shrew.” However, the true quality and value of a wife or any partner cannot be solely determined by their willingness to comply with commands. The play leaves room for deeper discussion about the complexity of relationships and the nature of love, respect, and partnership.