Much of what we know about Katherine initially comes from what other people say about her. In Act I, for instance, we do not hear her speak much. Yet the view of Katherine is fairly well established. The characters in Shrew will also learn lessons about rushing to judgments. Right after Baptista announces that Kate must marry before Bianca may take suitors, Gremio colours our interpretation of the elder daughter by declaring “She’s too rough for me” (1.1.55). Later in the scene, Gremio reiterates his dislike for Kate, demeaning her as a “fiend of hell” (88) and offering that “though her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool to be married to hell” (124-126). He finishes off with the declaration that to marry Kate is worse than to “take her dowry with this condition: to be whipped at the high cross every morning” (132-134). Hortensio, too, is quick to add to the foray, calling Kate a devil (66) and claiming that she is not likely to get a husband unless she is “of gentler, milder mold” (60). Tranio, Lucentio’s servant, is perhaps the only man in this scene not to disparage Kate, diagnosing her as “stark mad or wonderful froward” (69). Kate, in her own defence, offers telling commentary on this. When looking more closely at what Kate actually says reveals she may not be as domineering as some characters would have us believe. For instance, the first lines we hear her speak are to her father, imploring him not to wed her to a fool (57-58). Although it is somewhat nervy for her to speak out against her father, the fact that she does speak out bout her fathers decision shows she is very demanding and stands up for her self.
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