The more I think about it, the more I discuss it, the more I hate it.
Is it witty? Yes.
Do I want to fist fight Petruchio in the parking lot? Yes.
Abuse ain't cute.

Read this one for the Stratford field trip this week and I have to admit: this is the first Shakespeare that I did not really like. I thought the entire induction weird (and we never learn what happened to Sly and his "wife") and could not immerse myself properly in the play.

In addition, I couldn't help but dislike the psychological warfare that is employed by her husband to force Kate into becoming the obedient, silent wife from an outspoken young lady with her own agency. Yes, the play is from the late 1600s, however, I still could not accept it.

Yes, parts of the play were funny and well done, very meta in aspects, but this just wasn't the play for me. I hope the performance in Stratford will make it up to me and that I just had a bad start with this one after having read "As You Like It" which had such a wonderfully strong female lead.

2,5 Stars the most. Maybe I'll change my mind in the future though.

avoid if you respect women

3.5

not the best Shakespeare.. apparently his earliest play?
I quite liked the framed narrative and all the puns. maybe I need to watch this performed to get something more out of it.

will in his misogynist flop era. none of the jokes were funny, and the plot wasn’t even interesting. boo

I can see where it’s funny and I liked the wordplay between Kate and Petrucchio, but to be honest there is just too much hitting and general violence for me. I just don’t find that slapstick style of comedy funny, especially when it involves spouses hitting each other. I don’t think that Petruchio ever actualy slaps Kate, but I do think she hit him at least once, and Petruchio hit servants, the priest, Kate ties up her sister. It’s just lost on me, even though I know others do find it hilarious, hence the popularity of the Three Stooges or even some of Lucy Ball’s shows. I can recognize that it’s well-done for what it is, but I just don’t enjoy it.

And then there’s the fact that Petruchio agrees to marry Kate only for her money, as if he could put up with even the worst wife as long as she was rich. Granted, I think they do end up in love, but that’s not the start. Of course, that goes back to the time period too, but it just added a little to my annoyance. And then betting on their wives- just silly.

The Taming of the Shrew is full of the insights into humanity that Shakespeare is known for; but, it certainly isn’t our better instincts on display.