Austen and Shakespeare's Headstrong Women

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews, compares and contrasts the headstrong women presented in Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice" and Shakespeare's play "Taming of the Shrew." The paper first discusses the different intentions of the two authors, explaining that "Pride and Prejudice" was a sort of comedy of manners, written by a maiden lady, while "The Taming of the Shrew" was intended for the bawdy audience of the Globe Theatre, willing to get a good laugh at the sight of a prospective suitor paddling his prospective bride. The paper looks at the characters of Elizabeth -- who was quite proper -- and Katharina, who was not.

From the Paper:

"Elizabeth Bennet would never say those words. She might smile and offer to honor and obey her wedding vows. She might DO what Kate SAYS, but it simply would not be in her character to be really that subservient. While Shakespeare literally changes his "shrew" into a doting wife, definitely the "weaker sex", Elizabeth will be sure to uphold her husband's profession and demeanor, and no doubt, keep his books. These two opinionated people will find a common, middle ground, and their wit and demeanor will surely bring them happiness and a large family (which Darcy will admire from afar) Kate, it seems to me, upon bearing children, will raucously demand a wet nurse at once. Her act of obedience is more of a temporary expedient, from my point of view."

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