Tag Archives: personal gain

I was absent from class on Wednesday, so I’m not sure if this was touched upon during the discussion, but I was very intrigued by the induction; though I’m curious as to the reasoning behind the whole “play within a play” premise.  When I began reading the play, I found the plot of the induction to be very humorous and captivating at the same time – I wanted to know how long the Lord would maintain the ruse and if Sly would ever discover the truth, however the actual play starts so abruptly that it is impossible to discover definitive answers to my curiosities.  I am making the argument that maybe the induction serves as a parallel to the story of Petruchio and Kate.  Like the Lord, Petruchio must change his natural appearance/actions for his own personal gain.  Instead of seeking humorous relief from drastic role changes, Petruchio changes his attitude and overall demanor in order to marry “weathily in Padua” (27).  Petruchio deprives Kate of food, becomes increasingly nasty and  to his servants, and intentionally utters outlandish contradictions in order to achieve his personal gain.  Grumio confirms Petruchio’s true desire for riches from Kate: “Why, give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet…or an old trot with ne’er a tooth in her head” (27).  All of this being said, I was very surprised when The Taming of the Shrew ended without returning to the original plot of the induction.  Perhaps there is a purpose for this as well…?