Marriage as an Economic Enterprise in “The Taming of the Shrew” (Essay Sample)

Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Marriage as an Economic Enterprise in “The Taming of the Shrew” “The Taming of the Shrew” is a play by William Shakespeare which reflects the theme of marriage from two points of view. One outlines marriage as a platform for economic gains compared to the other facet of marriage being a romantic enterprise. It involves a tradesman known as Baptista who has two daughters, Katherine the elder and Bianca the younger. The merchant is happy when he gets to know that Bianca has already found a suitor but there is a limitation to her wedding. This is because she cannot get married before Katherine. Lucentio, a newcomer in Padua woos Bianca since he has already fallen in love with her. However, their father is zealous to see his daughter Katherine married because of her belligerent nature towards everyone around her. Across the development of the play, there is an antagonistic point of view on why people get married. There is a conflict in definition as to whether marriage is more of a gateway to an economic achievement and advantage rather than a bonding resulting from love. Bianca’s marriage is comprised of love and affection they have for one another. On the contrary, that of Katherine and Petruchio is determined and approved after Petruchio confirms the property that Baptista will award his daughter. This essay, therefore, is going to elaborate how marriage is acknowledged as an opportunity for monetary gain and ignoring the romantic advantages attached to it. The father of the two girls portrays marriage as an economic enterprise due to the way he is concerned about the size of the dowry required. He is also interested in knowing what the wife will inherit from the husband in the incident of death. Baptista is eager to meet with beaus who are ready to offer the highest bride price in exchange for either of his daughters.This is aproof that he is selling his daughters off instead of supporting their marriage as an achievement in life. Hortensio, who is also in love with Bianca but gets unrequited love since she is not interested in him, gives up on her. This happens when he encounters a rich widow, and even decides to marry her, which at some point is a desperate move (Breuer and H 174). This shows how money is prioritized during marriage which makes it an economic establishment or a lucrative deal. . The marriage between Katherine and Petruchio shows how it is an economic enterprise. Kate has suitors who are ready to offer monetary gifts to her father for her hand in marriage but they fear to approach her. She has a bitter tongue, a rebellious attitude and a cruel way of addressing others which pushes away potential suitors such as Gremio and Hortensio. Her father feels the urge to sell her off to someone who is financially stable because of her annoying attitude. Meanwhile, Petruchio comes from Verona with the purpose of visiting his friend Hortensio. In the process he learns about Katherine and he feels that his wealth can give him happiness in Padua. He has the inherent feeling that he can get a wife who will be accompanied by a hefty dowry because his period to marry has matured but not due to any passionate attraction. Petruchio is not concerned about Katherine’s interest in marriage. He marries her because of her father’s wealth. This is reciprocated by how Kate’s father is eager and willing to sell his daughters to the wealthiest aspirants. His agenda is to tame Katherine by ensuring that she follows all his instructions. He is aware that Baptista is demanding a lot of money as a dowry for Bianca. This makes him eager to know the amount of wealth that will be given to Katherine, the lady he intends to marry. This depicts how men approach and understand marriage from a business and unromantic point of view where women can be traded like goods. Baptista makes marriage arrangements with Petruchio and the dowry to be received without including Katherine as if the marriage was aimed at making profits by the two families (Duthie 340). In this context, Katherine suggests that marriage is an economic undertaking by teasing her sister to marry the wealthiest suitor. However, Bianca is not interested in any of the suitors. Katherine suggests to her that if she preferred a rich partner then she would be okay. She proposes that Gremio would make a good husband. Bianca is not comfortable with the idea because she wants someone who will love and appreciate her. The idea of determining a suitor by his riches is a sign that marriage is more of a business transaction than a union resulting from love and affection of two partners. (Kyung Ju Lo 798). The play addresses the social aspect of marriage but does not consider the contribution of those involved especially their feelings. It concentrates on how the courtship process is negotiated by the father of the future wife to be and the husband without involving her. This clearly shows that marriage is just a platform where a woman is exchanged with money. However, the union between Lucentio and Bianca depicts marriage as a result of two people who tie the knot because of the love they have for one another. Their love and affection exempts their marriage from that guided by monetary gains. For example; Lucentio unlike Hortensio, learns about Bianca deeply and loves her genuinely. He is not driven by the wealthy status of her father or the urge of exchanging money with a woman like a commodity. His good character and intentions help him win the heart of Bianca but he is granted permission to marry her after fully convincing her father that he is exceptionally rich. This gives Bianca a reason to run away with Lucentio and get married secretly. She does not consider her father’s opinion about who she should or should not marry. She feels that marriage is not only an act but a lifetime transformation. Nevertheless, Baptista’s decision on who should marry his daughter Bianca depends on the beau’s economic stability. He depends on the monetary assurance from Lucentio’s father that his financial value is worth Lucentio marrying Bianca. Baptista is interested in the affirmation that Lucentio will be able to take good care of her even after their marriage. It is therefore evident that if ...