Comparison Of The Taming Of The Shrew And Pride And Prejudice

Both the book Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and the movie Pride and Prejudice based on a novel by Jane Austen and directed by Joe Wright , portray fundamental issues such as standpoint on marriage, in addition to the importance of understanding social customs surrounding courtship and the relationships between men and women. Notwithstanding the fact that Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew is a satirical comedy and the movie Pride and Prejudice is a romance film based on a novel by Jane Austen, they both explore identical themes where marrying for money and the need to conform to societal expectations can be seen as a dreadful flaw of the social norms during Elizabethan era and the Regency period. 

The idea of marriage is presented as a pragmatic social construct in both The Taming of the Shrew and Pride and Prejudice together with emphasis on the importance of money in marriage and the fact that in the Elizabethan era and Regency period people married for practical reasons such as wealth and social status rather than love. In The Taming of the Shrew , Petruchio’s intent to marry Katherina for wealth and social acceptance is unequivocal when he proclaims “I came to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua” or when he declares “if thou know One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife – As wealth is burden of my wooing dance – Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love”. These quotes allude that Petruchio is only marrying Katherina for practical reasons and financial benefit and that love, physical appearance or any other qualities his future wife may not possess are not important to him. Shakespeare uses satirical comedy to present practicality of marriage and marrying for economic gain as a society flaw, therefore, suggesting that his belief was that women should be more empowered in choosing their future and marriage should be for love and not practicality. 

Similarly in Pride and Prejudice marriage is portrayed as a necessity rather than a choice or desire. Throughout the movie, expectations of patriarchal and judgmental society are emphasized as well that marriage was fundamental for women to earn a stable life and admirable reputation. When Charlotte says to Lizzie “Not all of us can afford to be romantic. I’ve been offered a comfortable home and protection. There is a lot to be thankful for.” Charlotte draws attention to the idea of marriage being for practicality or out of fear rather than love. After all, marriage was not represented only as being practical but also a must, as for unmarried women prospects were grim. When Charlotte continues her dialogue with “I’m twenty-seven years old. I’ve no money and no prospects. I’m already a burden to my parents and I’m frightened” she accentuates the fact that during the Regency period women could not inherit the land, nor did they work so it was imperative for a woman to marry to gain a stable life. It is certain that both authors have a similar standpoint in consideration of arranged marriages, and marrying for money, rather than love. Through mocking and exaggeration, and character development they point out society flaws of that era such as the need to conform to social norms and rules set by society rather than being an individual and making your own choices. 

Apart from mocking marriage as a ‘one-size fit all’ arrangement where financial benefit takes precedence over love, both authors explore flawed societal norms for acceptable behavior that all individuals, especially women were forced to abide by. The representation of headstrong, independent female protagonists was rare in that era, as women were culturally expected to obey their husbands and to behave in a socially acceptable way regardless of whether it was a true representation of their personality. Both, Katherine from The Taming of the Shrew and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice do not follow the social expectations that are bestowed upon them and try to fight against stereotypes and social restraints. Shakespeare ridicules the stereotypical roles of both men and women throughout the play. When Petruchio says “For I am he am born to tame you, Kate, And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate Conformable as other household Kates” it reveals that is expected from women to be obedient and conform to the stereotypical image of playing a domestic role of “household Kate”. Simultaneously men are supposed to be powerful, controlling husbands born to suppress strong and independent women. 

Shakespeare’s representation of empowered females and flawed social norms can be seen as a resistance to the power of a society and breaking away from the old tradition. Pride and Prejudice portrays female societal expectations in a similar manner to The Taming of the Shrew . When Mr. Bingley, Darcy, Caroline, and Lizzie are discussing what makes a woman “truly accomplished”, Mr. Bingley says how accomplished women “paint tables and play the piano and embroider cushions” and Caroline says “She must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing and the modern languages to deserve the word”, it is clear that a filmmaker is using a contrast between Lizzie and the feminine ideal to emphasizes Lizzie’s unconventionality. Lizzie’s sarcastic reply “I never saw such a woman, she would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold” emphasizes her independence and outspokenness. The constrictions that women faced throughout history prompted a fight against conformity and domestication.

The struggle for a woman’s social and emotional independence can be seen in each, Shakespeare’s and Joe Wright’s plots. Both Shakespeare and Joe Wright present us with the flaws in society from their perspectives and they accomplish that goal through character development, setting, and symbolism. The character development emphasizes society’s flaws and almost serves as a warning of harsh punishment if the societal norms are not respected. Kate’s transition from a strong, independent and outspoken individual to a brainwashed housewife portrays the consequences of not conforming. Petruchio persuades Kate to change, by keeping her hungry, disapproving of her wardrobe, restricting her movements and even the sense of time. Kate’s deprivation of free will is brought to attention when Kate says they will be late, Petruchio proclaims “It shall be what o’clock I say it is”. Even Petrucio’s absurd outfit for the wedding symbolizes his control over her, by simply being dressed in rags he humiliates her. Kate lastly conforms to the stereotypical image of women playing a domestic role when she proclaims “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, Thy head, thy sovereign”. Similarly, in the movie, Darcy’s character evolves from a man being obsessed with status and pride to a charming persona. When he says “I have fought against my better judgment, my family`s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.” This change in Darcy’s personality can be seen as a way of showing that the filmmaker felt that society should put aside status, power, and pride.

 Even though Shakespeare used a Farce as a genre in The Taming of the Shrew and Joe Wright’s scenario for the movie Pride and Prejudice was based on a romantic novel, they both explore identical themes through which the dreadful flaw of marrying for money to conform to societal expectations is ridiculed. In conclusion, it was not just the flaws that were presented but also the perception of how both authors would have hoped society to be. 

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