Taming Of Shrew

In the Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio recognizes, respects and desires Kate's intelligence and strength of character. He does not want to conquer or truly tame her. He is a man who is very confident in himself and does not want or need someone to massage his ego. Petruchio seems to me to be a man of sport and challenge and likes to surround himself with witty, challenging people. He wants in a mate what Kate has - fire.

Petruchio is the kind of man who would want a mate with similar qualities to his own to challenge him, sharpen his wits and keep his interest. If he had wanted someone who was conformed to societies expectations, or who had already determined to deceive by concealing opinions and views, he would have chosen someone more like Bianca. However, Petruchio is a clever man who sees beyond faÐ*ades because he uses them, in addition to a lot of irony himself (II.i.46), (II.i.283-289).

But because Petruchio understands the ways of society, he knows he must demonstrate to Kate the importance of proper public appearance. To Petruchio it is appearance rather than genuine conformance that is important. Otherwise, the woman he loves would be called names and treated in ways Petruchio might be required by honor to defend.

In his ironic way, Petruchio does speak consistently about making Kate yield to him (II.i.124,136), (II.i.269-271) and of his monetary motivation (II.i.123,124). But, his methods are sportsman-like (Falconry, (IV.i.183-190) and game-like demonstrations of the outrageous (beating Grumio because Kate's horse stumbled IV.i,68-80). Petruchio's servants like him very well and enjoy his entertainments. In what Petruchio says following he and Kate's first meeting (when her father walks in with Gremio and Tranio (II.i.269He states that he is born to tame and conform Kate. Though the servants he has chosen to surround himself with