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Critically analyse and discuss the relationship of 'The Taming of the Shrew' to the wider Social and Political influences of its time.

William Shakespeare wrote The Taming of the Shrew around 1596, during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Shakespeare lived at a time where ideas and social structure established in the Middle Ages still informed man’s thought and behaviour. For example, Queen Elizabeth I was God’s anointed one on earth, and the lords and commons had their due place in society under her. These beliefs in turn obviously influenced Shakespeare’s writing. I believe that when these social ideas and political influences are explored fully, a play such as The Taming of the Shrew can be shown and indeed understood, in its proper perspective.
The Taming of the Shrew falls into the category of Shakespeare’s early comedies; others included are The Comedy of Errors (c.1589-94) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (c.1597-1601). They are comedies of intrigue, fast moving, often farcical and place a high premium on wit. On the whole, they were meant to be performed in front of a general audience rather ...

Posted by: Cinthia De Ruiz

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