Essay examples --

The Sibling Rivalry in Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew Rivalry between family is an intense, emotional competition among siblings that can put them against one another to obtain approval, attention, or love. This is an aspect that has been frequently the plot of many plays, books and films. Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare teaches the audience that preference within a family may led to potent hate when it comes to sisters. A play which embodies the rivalry between sisters Katharina and Bianca, produced by their fathers and spouse candidate preference toward Bianca. Shakespeare establishes a clear comparison between the sisters through their father, Baptista. From the beginning of the play we see a clear preference toward Bianca. He discusses how their daughter are to be in a relationship. â€Å"Gentlemen, importune me no farther,/That is, not to bestow my youngest daughter/Before I have a husband for the elder./If either of you both love Katharina,/ Because I know you well and love you well/ Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure† (1.1.48-54). Baptista freely offers Katharina with out any detachment, while Bianca should be courted properly by the men. In addition to her father preferences, the mates wanting to marry the sisters also like Bianca. As one of the mates discussing which they prefer, Tranio refers to â€Å" [The] eldest sister is so curst and shrewd /That till the father rid his hands of her† (1.1.180). From the first scenes it is clear that there is rivalry between who is the better sister. Katharine was considered a shrew for the fact that she is strong willed and independent, very opposite to her younger sister, as she is described as caring and subservient. By the second act Katharina reacts to a ... ...shamed that women are so simple/ To offer war where they should kneel for peace/ Or seek for rule, supremacy and sway/ When they are bound to serve, love, and obey†(5.1.165-168). Katherina ends her speech by telling the women that their husbands are their lords, masters and keepers, that women owe their husbands the same loyalty a subject owes his king. The conflict between the sisters is an example of a tense relationships, physical violence and a continuous struggle for attention, affection and love of their father. Not until the end of the play we see Baptist being content with the results of his daughters new husbands. The relationship between Katharina and Bianca is a realistic in its portrayal of rivalry between siblings, and it allows the audience to connect with the theme of this play. The values of true sisterhood and how its can later effect their lives.