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Essay Aspects of Comedy
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An essay that explores the significance of a scene to the comedy of the overall play. Exploring themes and comedic elements and their impact on audiences.
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English Literature ALEVELConcepts of Comedy Section A - Essay A Grade
Extract from Taming of the Shrew – William Shakespeare Act2, Scene 1
“Explore the significance of this scene in relation to the comedy of the play as
a whole. Remember to include in your answer relevant analysis of
Shakespeare’s dramatic methods.”
The contrast between Bianca and Katherina is apparent in the first line of the passage. The
tying of Bianca’s hands is how Shakespeare creates a farcical scene which inspires mirth in
the audience. It also shows the sibling rivalry between the sisters by physically displaying the
contrast of dominance and submission.
Katherina’s demonstrated dominance over Bianca’s submissive nature is not only a display
of their opposition but is also a metaphor for the main plot of the play. Katherina makes “ a
slave of” Bianca which is a display of her adversity to conforming to the Elizabethan
expectations of women. Shakespeare may have chosen to present this as a representation
of what was going on in society at the time - the monarch Queen Elizabeth successfully
reigning without a King. The position Katherina has Bianca in is an example of slapstick or
physical comedy which provides much humour to this scene.
The concept of sibling rivalry can be said to have a somewhat significant relation to the
comedic element ‘lovers’ struggle and provides humour in the form of disputes, contributing
to the main plot of the play. Kate appears to be jealous of all the male attention her sister is
receiving, and Bianca plays on those insecurities, taunting “is it for him you do envy me so?”
This can be seen to be humorous as Bianca, who is physically restrained, seems to be in no
position to mock her sister. Her audacity funny and daring, entertaining audiences with this
brief characteristic deviation from the otherwise meek sister. In Elizabethan culture, a
woman’s only hope for a prosperous life was to wed a wealthy man, making Kate’s jealousy
all the more understandable. Shakespeare uses this to remind the audience of the gender
divisions within their society. Katherina instinctively disguises her hurt by hurling insults in
an attempt to save face and this links to the comedic element ‘mistaken identity’ which
plays a dominant throughout the play. Thus, foreshadowing later events where Katherina,
along with everyone else, sheds her façade.
Ironically, it can also be said that Bianca is envious of Katherina’s position, as although
Bianca has a slew of potential suitors, she is unable to act upon it as she must wait for her
sister. In this way, Bianca may be jealous that her sister is able to get married. This
seemingly unlikely contrast is present throughout the play as Bianca’s true shrewish nature
gradually becomes clear as her portrayal of an ideal Elizabethan woman is shown to be a
ruse, as supported by the earlier comment that “commanded tears are a woman’s gift”.
Shakespeare’s use of Bianca in this regard is to show how the submissive attributes and
behaviours favoured in woman of the time are not always natural, shedding light on one of
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