Working with any Shakespearean play can always prove a challenge, with the intricate language from the late 16th century paired with powerful poetic verse - it has been shown a difficult task to create a piece of theatre that accurately characterises Shakespeare’s keen mind. Yet, the Brentwood School production of The Taming of the Shrew was not only an incredible experience to be a part of, it also gave an insight into a piece of theatre that touched upon more serious themes including, gender, misogyny, social hierarchy and marriage. The Taming of the Shrew is set in a small city in northern Italy called Padua and revolves around Minola Baptista, a wealthy but absent-minded father who has two polar opposite daughters called Katherine and Bianca. Much to her father’s dismay, the younger daughter (Bianca) falls deeply in love with a suitor called Lucentio. However, in order for them to get married they need the elder daughter Katherine - who has denounced all men, to get married and Bianca believes she’s found the perfect match - Petruchio. The plot continues to show the gender struggle for women in a male-dominated society, through Katherine THE TAMING OF THE SHREW 67
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