Examine the different ways in which Shakespeare presents issues connected with marriage and male and female relationships in the play, the taming of the shrew

The taming of the shrew is a plot derived from ‘the war of sexes’, in which males and females seek dominance in marriage. In this play, marriage isn’t the result of love but people are expected to take part in it and see how it ‘works out’. Gentlemen in this play are not about romance but are about how well they can suit their wives and keep them loyal. Marriage is like a game to the characters of this play, for example Hortensio says : “ He who runs fastest gets the ring.”.

The play also reflects dominance in marriages. Baptista; father to Katherina and Bianca, wants both his daughters to be happily wed, but he is not...