TEACHERS´ MATERIALS.

Please look at the extensive teachers materials for use in the classroom. They are a great tool to help prepare your students before seeing the play

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√ NOTES FOR TEACHERS

This famous play is essentially a COMEDY, which in Shakespearian terms means that it has a happy ending. However, The Taming of the Shrew is also is also a very funny play in 21st century terms. To make it more entertaining for your students, Lingua-Arts includes as much VISUAL COMEDY as possible to help bring out the main themes: RELATIONSHIPS + MARRIAGE / SOCIAL ROLES / APPEARANCES + DISGUISE / POWER + DOMINATION

• Marriage and Social Roles
It is important to point out to your students how the nature of romance in Shakespeare’s day differs from romance in modern times. As a romantic comedy, The Taming of the Shrew focuses on relationships as they develop from initial interest into marriage. Here, inner romantic emotions are less important; instead, this play emphasizes the economic aspects and the importance of social roles in marriage. Marriage is mainly a TRANSACTION, a transfer of money. What is more, one should only marry a person from the correct social status. Much of the HUMOUR arises from the CONFLICT created when several characters, especially KATE, do not accept this situation.

• Power and Domination

PETRUCHIO must use his power to TAME his uncontrollable and anti-social wife, KATE, who refuses to accept the marriage. He cleverly manipulates the SHREW to try to make her behave as a “lady” should and to take her proper place in society. There is a lot of comedy when Kate resists his attempts to dominate her. However, by the end of the play she changes drastically. Is she simply tired or does she really become a mild-mannered, obedient wife? Or is there another reason? Encourage your students to think about it for themselves.

At the beginning of the play, Kate’s sister BIANCA seems to the “perfect” wife for 17th century Italy: sweet, docile and obedient. But we also see a drastic change. She marries LUCENTIO, but he is totally shocked when his “sweet” wife” unexpectedly turns into an angry shrew. (fierecilla)…

• Disguise and Appearances

This is a common theme in Shakespeare’s plays. People are often not what they APPEAR to be. Bianca is not the sweet creature we thought she was. LUCENTIO and GREMIO must disguise themselves in order to be near Bianca. LUCENTIO also pretends to be extremely rich so he can ask for Bianca’s hand. PETRUCHIO pretends to be cruel in order to tame Kate, etc… There are many more disguises in the play, along with a number of mistaken identities, which all help build the COMEDY. Generally the characters use these disguises, tricks and deceit to try to improve their position in society by gaining riches or status.

NOT THE TYPICAL SHAKESPEARE ENDING

Unlike other Shakespeare romantic comedies, this play does not end typically with the “wedding”. Rather, it examines the future lives of the married couples. Life does not stop when the ring is placed on the finger. How soon will these disguises disappear before true natures are revealed?

BILINGUALISM

As much of the English is from the original text, we have included some Spanish to help students follow the story. Many of the characters speak both English and Spanish. When they speak Spanish, they speak directly to the audience, telling the spectators exactly what is on their minds. As such, Lingua-Arts achieves a double objective: one, the characters gain the audience’s trust and support, and two; the students’ understanding of the storyline is greatly enhanced. Nonetheless, around 75% to 80% of the play is in English.

TEACHERS’ MATERIALS.

Please look at the extensive teachers materials for use in the classroom. They are a great tool to help prepare your students before seeing the play (and for use AFTER seeing it). Read More