In this dramatic comedy, Shakespeare interprets what a woman’s dutiful role should be and her husband’s right to tame her into such obedience. Some readers might take affront and be filled with a mix of nausea, anger, and sadness with a protagonist such as Kate, a wild cat, being starved, tortured, and humiliated into obedience, submission, and complete surrender under the hand of Petruchio.

However, Shakespeare writes it in a way that showcases how both characters are wickedly satisfied and find proper meetings of minds and match of wits transcending other’s expectations. Readers today can relate to Kate as the day Shakespeare created her. Right alongside her, they discover how much power she really holds with the right partner who respects her. The same can be said about Petruchio; he’s as relatable now as then, and readers can appreciate how finding a mate who will always be his equal in wit and will make him happy.

Yes, the methods implored to “tame” his wife are crude, even cruel, and her razor-sharp shrewishness demonstrates negative undertones, but that’s the point Shakespeare is communicating that each of us is capable of such depths and thorns. Yet, it doesn’t stop genuine connections from flourishing. It’s a fun play to read and merits 5 stars all around.