Kate the Shrew, Themes, Characterization, Suitor Web

The theme/motif of social status in the play coincides with Kate's label of the "shrew." A shrew is a woman of violent temper and speech, which characterizes Kate perfectly. Every character in the novel is associated with a particular social status, but Kate is left behind in this aspect in that she alienates herself from society as a whole; this also contributes to her role as the shrew. Social status can be determined from a number of factors other than wealth to include age, gender, and education. Lucentio is wealthy, young, and educated, and Tranio is his servant. Kate COULD be considered an upper-class young maiden, but she denies this social role, so only Bianca is left with it. Since Lucentio, who moves to Padua from Pisa to study at the city's renowned university, falls in love with Bianca, he becomes a classics instructor named Cambio, while Tranio takes his place as a wealthy aristocrat. Gremio and Hortensio are the other two suitors who want to marry Bianca and exist in a love-hate relationship. They are rivals when it comes to marrying Bianca, but allies when it comes to finding a tutor for her and a husband for Kate. Hortensio is friends with Petruchio, who he suggests as a husband for Kate, which solves the problem of finding a man for the oldest daughter before the youngest can wed. Hortensio then transforms himself into a music instructor to court Bianca, while Gremio finds Tranio (disguised as Lucentio) as a tutor for Bianca to place himself in a better light in Baptista's eyes. This twisted plot provides for another theme of the play: disguise. Disguise also contributes to characterization in the play.