Conformable Kate: Identity and Power in The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare is often read as an exploration of power dynamics and abuse, leaving readers to question the extent of Katherine’s power and autonomy in her marriage to Petruchio. Some believe Katherine manages to control her husband, Petruchio, while others believe Petruchio successfully 'tames' her. This essay explores such a question and seeks to answer which character holds the most power within the play. Using textual evidence from the play, scholarship from Natasha Korda’s writing on domesticity and commodity structures in Shakespeare's time, and Gary Schneider’s ideas of the public and private sectors of life and their impact on relational power dynamics, I argue that Petruchio ultimately holds the most power. I further argue that the play successfully uses a framing device to complement these historical and economic factors of power, using the induction scene to allude to Petruchio’s later success in manipulation and control.