Katherine Character Analysis

Katherine is the eldest daughter of Baptista and the real protagonist of Shakespeare’s play, even though the play starts out with Bianca as the focus. As the “shrew” that is to be “tamed” in the story, Katherine is a round and dynamic character. Through her encounter and marriage with Petruchio, Katherine’s character changes dramatically from a shrew to an obedient wife and woman. The first apparent sign of Katherine’s transformation is during her first encounter and squabble with Petruchio. Everyone calls Katherine a shrew for her bold opinion and sharp tongue, however, once she meets her match with Petruchio. Petruchio proves to be wittier than Katherine is, as well as vulgar, selfish, and greedy. During the squabble, Petruchio turns every insult Katherine throws at him into a suggestive or positive remark and convinces Katerine to marry him…or at least not disagree to marry him. When Baptista checks up on Petruchio’s and Katerine’s status, Petruchio proclaims them engaged and Katherine did not argue otherwise. The process of taming Katherine was well under way. Katherine’s actions also effect the actions of the characters around her, as she is the protagonist. Bianca is most directly affected by Katherine’s character because she is not allowed to marry until Katherine is wed, therefore, her character has no life and action (since being married was the main life goal of women in those times). In turn, this Bianca’s many suitors prevents to progress forward and create action since they have to wait for Katherine to wed so they can pursue and wed Bianca. So in a sense, everyone waits upon Katherine’s character; only when Katherine’s character makes a move (progress) forward in the play do the other characters get to progress.
Katherine’s character stirs the reader’s sympathy because even though she is a shrew, the readers can see why she appears the way she is and knows that deep down, Katherine just wants what every other girl wants: a husband. This is apparent throughout Katherine’s entire character transformation, as she becomes less outspoken and more obedient. At the same time, Katherine also brings humor to the play. Her wit is very amusing, especially when paired with Petruchio.