SHAKESPEARE 12th Lit B - U4L3. ALEXA SMITH, BRANDI TAUCHERT, MAY 8, 2024 http://www.connexus.com/assessments/checkMyWork/launchOriginalityReport.aspx?id=1849569.
[Audio] Without having read or seen any of the movies or shows to select from, I picked based off the titles of the combination. I selected "Taming of the Shrew" because the title intrigued me, but I had no idea what a shrew was or how one could be tamed. This curiosity drove me to explore something unfamiliar. While I'm familiar with some of Shakespeare's works, this play was not. Upon researching "shrew," I learned it's a small mammal, similar to a mouse. Given my interest in animals, this connection made me more interested in the play. Furthermore, I thought about potential similarities between the play and the film "10 Things I Hate About You," particularly about the possibility of dislike towards mice. This inspired me to find out if the play might offer a unique perspective on human behavior through the lens of animal symbolism..
[Audio] In both "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Taming of the Shrew," Act I introduces key characters and outlines the central conflict surrounding trickery and love. In Shakespeare's play, Baptista Minola grapples with the challenge of finding suitors for his daughters, particularly Katherine, whose sharp wit and rebellious demeanor discourage potential matches for her younger sister, Bianca. The arrival of Petruchio, a suitor enticed by Katherine's sizable dowry despite her reputation as a shrew, sets the stage for the play's central conflict: Petruchio's endeavor to "tame" Katherine and secure her fortune. This thematic blueprint is repeated in "10 Things I Hate About You," where Kat Stratford's alarming personality and her father's rule that Bianca cannot date until Kat does present a similar awkward situation. The arrival of Patrick Verona, a mysterious and nonconformist figure, mirrors Petruchio's entrance, as both men disrupt the existing conditions and challenge the main female characters. Act 1 of both works serves to establish the dynamic between the central characters and foreshadow the disorderly journey of love and transformation that lies ahead..
[Audio] In Act Two of both "Taming of the Shrew" and "10 Things I Hate About You," the rising action is notable as the plot thickens and conflicts intensify. In "Taming of the Shrew," Petruchio begins his mission to woo and marry Katherine, setting the stage for a battle of wills between the two strong-willed characters. Petruchio's unconventional methods, such as arriving late to his own wedding and challenging Katherine's fiery personality, serve to escalate the tension and anticipation of their impending relationship. Meanwhile, Bianca's suitors devise schemes to win her affection, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings and deceptions that contribute to the rising tension in the play. Similarly, in "10 Things I Hate About You," Act Two sees the development of relationships and conflicts among the characters. As Kat and Patrick continue to navigate their growing romance, obstacles arise in the form of Kat's firm independence and Patrick's mysterious past. The escalating tension is further fueled by the scheming of Joey, who attempts to manipulate Bianca's affections for his own gain. Additionally, the subplot involving Cameron's pursuit of Bianca adds layers of complexity to the narrative, as his efforts to win her over become increasingly desperate and filled with obstacles. Overall, Act Two of both works serves as a crucial stage in the rising action, laying the groundwork for the climax and resolution to come..
[Audio] In Act Three of "Taming of the Shrew," the central event revolves around Petruchio's controversial treatment of Katherine during their honeymoon. Petruchio employs extreme tactics to "tame" Katherine, including depriving her of food, sleep, and basic comforts, all in an effort to assert dominance and break her spirit. This sequence of events reaches its peak when Petruchio insists that they return home despite Katherine's protests, effectively demonstrating his control over her. This climactic event, the "taming" of Katherine, is the turning point of the play, as it marks the culmination of Petruchio's efforts to assert his dominance and reshape Katherine's behavior to fit societal expectations. The events of Act Three in both "Taming of the Shrew" and its modern adaptation, "10 Things I Hate About You," closely mirror each other. In both versions, Petruchio/Patrick employs similar tactics to "tame" Katherine/Kat, utilizing manipulation and deprivation to exert control over her. The climactic event in "10 Things I Hate About You" occurs when Patrick insists on leaving the prom against Kat's wishes, mirroring Petruchio's actions in Shakespeare's play. This pivotal moment underlines the power dynamics at play in both narratives, highlighting the struggle for dominance between the male protagonists and their respective female counterparts. Overall, the events of Act Three reinforce the central theme of control and submission, leading to the climactic moment where Petruchio/Patrick's domination over Katherine/Kat is solidified..
[Audio] In Act Four of "Taming of the Shrew," the falling action unfolds as Petruchio and Katherine's unconventional relationship takes center stage. Petruchio's methods of "taming" Katherine become increasingly apparent, as he uses various tactics to assert dominance over her. This includes depriving her of food and sleep, as well as contradicting her at every turn. The tension between them escalates, peaking in a public display of Katherine's submission during the banquet scene. This scene serves as a pivotal moment in the falling action, as Katherine delivers a speech praising the virtues of obedience and submission to her husband, effectively demonstrating her transformation under Petruchio's control. The events of Act Four underscore the theme of falling action by showcasing the resolution of the central conflict between Petruchio and Katherine, as their relationship evolves from one of contention to one of apparent harmony. Similarly, in "10 Things I Hate About You," Act Four mirrors the falling action of "Taming of the Shrew" as the relationships between characters reach critical points. Kat Stratford's journey towards self-discovery and acceptance parallels Katherine's transformation in Shakespeare's play. In this act, Kat confronts her own vulnerabilities and insecurities, particularly in her growing romance with Patrick Verona. The tension between them is intense as they navigate their feelings for each other amidst the backdrop of high school drama. The climax of Act Four occurs during the prom scene, where Kat's emotional walls begin to crumble, and she embraces her feelings for Patrick. This pivotal moment marks the culmination of the falling action, as Kat undergoes a significant internal transformation, mirroring Katherine's outward submission in "Taming of the Shrew." Overall, Act Four serves as a crucial moment in both narratives, where the resolution of conflicts and the evolution of characters' relationships are highlighted, embodying the essence of falling action in literature..
[Audio] Act Five of "Taming of the Shrew" serves as the culmination of the play's central themes, particularly the idea of resolution. The act opens with the wedding banquet of Lucentio and Bianca, providing resolution to their subplot. This event serves as exposition by revealing the outcomes of Lucentio's schemes to win Bianca's love, showcasing the consequences of deceit and manipulation in relationships. Meanwhile, the main plot involving Petruchio and Katherine reaches its climax as Petruchio demonstrates his dominance over Katherine by testing her obedience in public. This scene exemplifies exposition as it showcases Petruchio's success in "taming" Katherine, solidifying the play's exploration of gender roles and power dynamics within marriage. Similarly, in "10 Things I Hate About You," Act Five mirrors the resolution of "Taming of the Shrew" with the prom scene. Here, the various subplots of the film converge, providing exposition on the characters' growth and relationships. For instance, Kat's transformation from a rebellious outsider to someone willing to attend prom for Patrick reflects her development throughout the film. Additionally, Bianca's realization of Joey's true intentions exposes the superficiality of teenage relationships, echoing themes of deceit and manipulation present in Shakespeare's play. Ultimately, Act Five in both "Taming of the Shrew" and "10 Things I Hate About You" serves as a moment of revelation, showcasing the consequences of characters' actions and the resolution of various conflicts, thus reinforcing the idea of exposition in storytelling..
[Audio] In "10 Things I Hate About You," the exposition introduces us to Padua High School, where we meet the main characters: Kat, a strong-willed and independent girl, and her younger sister Bianca, who is eager to date but forbidden by their overprotective father until Kat does. Cameron, a new student, becomes infatuated with Bianca and seeks to date her. However, he learns about the house rule and devises a plan with his friend Michael to find someone to date Kat, thus clearing the path for him to pursue Bianca. The rising action unfolds as Cameron and Michael recruit Patrick, the school's resident bad boy, to woo Kat. Initially reluctant, Patrick agrees to the plan for financial gain. As Patrick begins to spend time with Kat, their relationship evolves from fake to genuine, leading to the climax of the film when Kat discovers the initial deception. This revelation forces Patrick to confront his true feelings for Kat, while Kat must reconcile her emotions with her distrust of others. The falling action sees Kat and Patrick navigate the fallout of the deception, leading to a heart-to-heart conversation where they both confess their feelings for each other. Finally, in the resolution, Kat forgives Patrick, and they share a romantic moment at the school's prom, while Bianca ends up with Cameron, and relationships are reconciled, illustrating the transformative power of love and honesty..
[Audio] In "Taming of the Shrew," the setting is Renaissance Italy, characterized by rigid social hierarchies and patriarchal norms. This time period is reflected in the play's emphasis on marriage as a contractual transaction and the expectation of women to be obedient and subservient to men. The societal norms of the Renaissance period influence the characters' behaviors and interactions, with Petruchio's attempts to "tame" Katherine aligning with the gender dynamics of the time. The setting enhances the story by providing a backdrop against which the characters' struggles for power and dominance unfold, emphasizing the challenges they face within the constraints of their society. On the other hand, "10 Things I Hate About You" is set in a modern-day American high school, where social dynamics are vastly different from those of Renaissance Italy. The contemporary setting allows for a more nuanced exploration of gender roles and relationships, reflecting the changing attitudes towards women's autonomy. Characters in this setting exhibit traits typical of teenagers in the late 20th century, such as rebellion against authority and the desire for independence. The setting enhances the story by making it more relatable to modern audiences while still retaining the core themes of the original play, albeit in a contemporary context. Overall, the juxtaposition of these two settings highlights the timeless nature of the themes explored in "Taming of the Shrew" while also demonstrating the evolution of societal norms and values over time..
[Audio] In both Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" and the modern movie adaptation "10 Things I Hate About You," the central plot revolves around the idea of a headstrong and independent woman being "tamed" or wooed by a persistent suitor. One parallel plot detail is the bet or arrangement made by a male character to court the difficult woman. In the original play, Petruchio agrees to marry Katherine for her dowry, viewing her as a challenge to conquer. Similarly, in "10 Things I Hate About You," Cameron is persuaded by his friend to pursue Kat Stratford, a girl notorious for her sharp tongue and independent spirit, as part of a wager. However, in the modern adaptation, the bet is structured differently, with Patrick Verona being offered money to take Kat out on a date, adding a financial incentive to his pursuit. Another parallel plot detail is the use of deception and manipulation by the male characters to win over the reluctant woman. In Shakespeare's play, Petruchio employs various tactics to "tame" Katherine, including psychological manipulation, gaslighting, and even depriving her of basic necessities until she conforms to his expectations of a subservient wife. Similarly, in "10 Things I Hate About You," Patrick initially agrees to go out with Kat as part of a financial arrangement but gradually develops genuine feelings for her. However, his initial motivations are concealed from Kat, and he must navigate the complexities of their relationship while keeping his true intentions hidden. This alteration in the modern movie reflects a shift in societal attitudes towards consent and agency, with Patrick ultimately respecting Kat's autonomy and falling in love with her without resorting to the same level of manipulation as Petruchio. A third parallel plot detail is the transformation of the "shrewish" woman into a more compliant and submissive wife by the end of the story. In Shakespeare's play, Katherine undergoes a dramatic change in behavior, delivering a lengthy speech about the duties of a wife and pledging her obedience to Petruchio. Similarly, in "10 Things I Hate About You," Kat softens her demeanor and becomes more open to love and relationships after experiencing genuine affection from Patrick. However, in the modern adaptation, the transformation is portrayed as more of a mutual growth process, with both Kat and Patrick learning from each other and challenging their preconceived notions about love and relationships. This alteration reflects a more modern and egalitarian understanding of romance, where both partners are seen as equals in the relationship rather than one being subordinate to the other. Overall, while the modern movie adaptation of "Taming of the Shrew" retains many of the key plot elements and themes of the original play, it updates them to reflect contemporary attitudes towards gender roles, consent, and agency, making it more relatable and accessible to modern audiences..
[Audio] The modernization of the plot in "10 Things I Hate About You" was done to make the story more relatable and accessible to a contemporary audience. By setting the story in a high school and updating the language and cultural references, the filmmakers aimed to capture the essence of Shakespeare's original themes while making them relevant to modern viewers. These choices help a more modern audience connect with the overall plot by presenting familiar settings, situations, and dialogue that resonate with their own experiences. For example, instead of arranged marriages and dowries, the film addresses issues such as teenage romance, peer pressure, and identity, which are more pertinent to today's youth. By adapting the plot to a contemporary context, the filmmakers make Shakespeare's themes of love, identity, and societal expectations more accessible and relatable to a modern audience. Personally, I enjoyed "10 Things I Hate About You" better than the original "Taming of the Shrew." While both versions were similar, the modern adaptation added a fresh spin to the story, making it more engaging and relevant to my own life. The characters felt more relatable, and the updated setting and dialogue made the story feel more immediate and less old. Additionally, the film's incorporation of humor and romance helped to lighten the tone of the original play, making it more enjoyable to watch. Overall, I appreciate how "10 Things I Hate About You" modernized the plot of "Taming of the Shrew" while still honoring the timeless themes and characters of Shakespeare's work..