Mistaken Identity Essay, Research Paper
Mistaken Identity of The Taming of the Shrew
Throughout the play “The Taming of the Shrew,” William Shakespeare has utilized several ingenious techniques resulting in an effective piece of work. One of the more unique and creative methods is the use of mistaken identity. With the use of mistaken identity, Shakespeare has successfully given the play an element of humor from the beginning to the end.
The mistaken identity within the two induction scenes must have been quite humorous for the upper-class noblemen who watched the play. In Shakespeare?s time, the upper-class often found their amusement in the poorer, more unfortunate lower-class. Christopher Sly was no exception. When the lord finds Sly, a drunk beggar, he immediately plots a practical joke to play on him. The lord, who is very wealthy and obviously has a lot of time on his hands decides to treat Sly as a nobleman and see how he reacts. In addition to ordering his servants to treat Sly as their master, he too pretends to be a servant. The most amusing part of this induction occurs when Sly becomes convinced that he is indeed a nobleman. When he first awakes, he thinks that everyone is playing a joke on him. After some convincing, Sly gives in and believes that he really was suffering from a long sickness. When Sly asks the page, who is pretending to be his wife to undress and join him in bed, the audience must have reacted with loud laughter knowing that his ?wife? is actually the same sex as he. Although Sly does not understand the lifestyle of the upper-class, it is quite obvious that he is enjoying it while it lasts.
There are several cases of mistaken identity present in the subplot which involves Bianca and her suitors. One humorous situation caused by mistaken identity arises in Act I, Scene ii, when several of the characters meet each other. Here, the audience learns how gullible Gremio is when he is tricked by Lucentio into believing that Lucentio is a schoolmaster. Gremio does not realize that he is actually giving a fellow competitor an opportunity to court Bianca. The dramatic irony here is amusing to the audience because they all know that Lucentio is not going to speak highly of Gremio like he had promised. Also, when Tranio, pretending to be his master, introduces himself to Gremio and Hortensio that he too intends to woo Bianca, the two do not realize that Tranio is just there to draw Bianca?s attention away from them. By doing this, his master Lucentio will have a higher chance of courting Bianca. Later in the play, when Lucentio and Hortensio are trying to secretly court Bianca as they teach her, it is comical the way they become suspicious of each other and get in each other?s way. It is not long before the both of them realize that the other is trying to woo her ? not teach her. In Act IV, Scene ii, the audience must have had a grin on their face as they watched Tranio effortlessly convince the pedant into pretending to be Vincentio. Tranio makes the pedant believe that he is being nice and doing him a big favor so that the pedant will not be killed: “To save your life in this extremity, This favor will I do you for his sake.” The pedant does not realize that everything Tranio says is false and that he is being tricked into helping Tranio and Lucentio. The final and most humorous part of the subplot occurs near the end of the play. Chaotic confusion arises as all the characters and pretenders meet, and everybody is confused about the real identity of each other. The humor begins as the real Vincentio meets the pedant who is pretending to be him. Vincentio then becomes enraged as his son?s servants, Tranio and Biondello arrive and call him a madman and an impostor. He begins concluding that his son?s servants had killed Lucentio for his money. Arguments and accusations emanate between all the characters. Then, when everything appears to be all tangled up Lucentio arrives and sets everything straight, ending the entertaining confusion.
The mistaken identity in the main plot between Petruchio and Kate is the question of who the real shrew is. The audience is first led to believe that Kate is the shrew because of the way she treated everybody. Also, the comments and opinions of the other characters describe Kate to be a very stubborn and negative person. But later, when Petruchio and Kate are married, the audience soon realizes that the real shrew is Petruchio. By observing the way Petruchio treats Kate, it can be noticed that she is no where near as shrewish as he.
The mistaken identities used throughout this play have given it a very unique quality. The audience is no doubt entertained by the confusion and chaos between the characters. Even in reality, people tend to always laugh at another person?s confusion. So therefore, if a play is full of mistaken identities, then the audience watching it will unmistakably be amused and laughing frequently. William Shakespeare?s play, “The Taming of the Shrew” definitely, “?Tis a very excellent piece of work.”
329
Другие работы по теме:
GeneThe Character Analysis Essay Research Paper GeneThe
Gene-The Character Analysis Essay, Research Paper Gene-The Character Analysis Gene, one of the main characters in the book, has a complex personality with lots of conflicts and a struggle to find himself or, in other words, his own identity. Throughout the book, we come across acts and thoughts of Gene envying Phineas.
Aspect Of My Identity Essay Research Paper
email: meech2@hotmailAn aspect of my IdentityAn Aspect of my Identity or Something I do that is Important to my Sense of Who and What I am. There are many things which people do to signify their sense of identity. To me, the most important aspect to my identity is my honesty. Many will think insignificantly of honesty but this is a deceptive way of rationalizing.
Internet Identity Essay Research Paper It is
Internet Identity Essay, Research Paper It is certain that the Internet impacts a person`s sense of identity. As humans, we are live by language, and as an Internet user, one submits himself to an
Measure For Measure Essay Research Paper From
Measure For Measure Essay, Research Paper From the beginning of the play the Duke shows his fascination with the art of disguise. He has Lord Angelo takes his place and he in turn becomes a friar in disguise. Throughout the play this notion of false identity and exchange of identity plays an important role for the Duke and also for the characters in the play.
Secret Identity Essay Research Paper Clark Kent
Secret Identity Essay, Research Paper Clark Kent is a mild-mannered reporter for the ?Daily Planet? newspaper. Born and raised in Smallville, Kansas; he now lives alone in an apartment in downtown Metropolis. He fits the mold of the stereotypical business man in any bustling city of commerce. With his suit, briefcase, and cellular phone, he can?t blend in more thoroughly, but who am I kidding? Underneath that tailored suit lies another person with a big ?S? on his chest.
Matt Bagwell Essay Research Paper Have your
Matt Bagwell Essay, Research Paper Have your ever known someone who was obsessed with his car. So obsessed in fact that it becomes part of his identity and changes his personality. All the money this person makes goes into the car. There is one such person who is a model example. Matt Bagwell. He owns a 93 Ford Mustang GT.
The Philosophy Of Trees Essay Research Paper
The portrait of a tree is not to be mistaken or over looked. Every one can see the beauty of a tree whether it be an ever green or disigous. This may be the key to our future. To look from the ground up standing under a tree the leaves may slowly turn around you enrapture you with all thier green. You may stand there unfulfilled this is when you should look closer; look pasted the tree’s green and beautiful leaves and find all the liveing creatures that have thier home in this tree.
Religion Is Important Essay Research Paper I
Religion Is Important Essay, Research Paper I think culture, religion, ethnicity is very important in one’s life. They should know where there from and who they are. Everyone comes from somewhere around the world, even if they were born in another country, they still
Your Identity Has Been Confirmed Essay Research
Paper Furney 1 Russell Furney Dr. Clayton English 111, Section 2 November 12, 1998 Your Identity Has Been Confirmed Nell Bernstein is the author of “Goin’ Gangsta, Choosin’ Cholita: Claiming Identity,” an
The Prince And The Pauper Mark Twain
(1835-1910) Essay, Research Paper In 1835, when Halley’s comet streaked across the skies, Mark Twain was born in an obscure farm town. Sevebty five years later, when the comet reappeared, Twain died, a famous author.
Identity And Motivated Behaviour Essay Research Paper
Foote discusses identity as a collection of “self-conceptions” that are confirmed or changed both by other people and by other experiences. The identity we portray is a conscious choice of roles that is also empathetic to another person’s identity in a given situation. Examples of identity and motivated behaviour can be seen everywhere, but the workplace does provide frequent illustrations of the concept, specifically as a member of a department relates to their own department and to others.
Characteristics Of Comedy (Much Ado About Nothing)
) Essay, Research Paper Characteristics of Comedy There are many characteristics that make up a comedy. Characteristics such as mistaken identity, battle of the sexes, and jumping to conclusions are what set the comedic story apart from the tragedy. Within a comedy, no matter how much fault, and dismay may appear within the story, there always seems to be the classic ending of “…and they all lived happily ever after…” Comedies capture the viewer with a sense of compassion and love for the characters in the story.
IDENTITY Is Not A Strong Enough Word
Essay, Research Paper How do others see Canadians, do Canadians have a unique national identity? Although the United States (US) has some influence on most countries, Canadian life revolves around the US, and sometimes, how much we hate Americans. Most countries cannot say that they are made up of two separate nations (English and French), Canada, on the other hand, can say this.
Metamorphosis Essay Research Paper Gregor
Metamorphosis Essay, Research Paper Gregor’s predicament is much like that of any person suffering from severe, particularly disfiguring, chronic illness or disability. Gregor’s life story and personal identity change dramatically when he becomes a vermin. In the new identity his senses are different: the hospital across the street is now beyond Gregor’s range of vision.
Being There Essay Research Paper The idea
Being There Essay, Research Paper The idea of a mildly retarded grown man who can not read or write to be mistaken for a rich and wealthy brilliant gentleman is extremely obsurde. One would never think they would make a mistake such as this one. Yet, a man named Chance repeats this tremendous feat over and over.
Identity Men And Women Essay Research Paper
Identity-Men and Women What influences a person’s identity? Is it their homes, parents, siblings, or possibly where they live? When do they get one? Do they get it when they understand right from wrong, or when
Amish Essay Research Paper The Amish have
Amish Essay, Research Paper The Amish have maintained their identity for centuries. Do you think they will be able to continue to do this? Give reasons for your answer.
Recovered Roots Essay Research Paper RECOVERED ROOTSBuilding
Recovered Roots Essay, Research Paper RECOVERED ROOTS: Building National Identity In Yael Zerubavel?s Recovered Roots he identifies and outlines the components of ?national identity.? National identity is described as a group?s common historical highlights. This identity is established through ?collective memory? i.e. a group?s vision of their history based on historical records revised to fit ?social and political agendas.? The revision is not a rewritten history but rather a representation of history with selective emphasis on historical events.
Two Faces One Mind Essay Research Paper
Two Faces. One Mind As in most comedies, William Shakespeare?s Twelfth Night extensively uses disguises, masks and mistaken identities to add to the comical nature of the play. Viola?s disguise as Orsino?s page, Cesario, becomes crucial to the action in the play. Without this important element, the action in the play would slow down dramatically, making the story much less intriguing.
Canada Lacks A Real National Identity Essay
, Research Paper Canada Lacks A Real National Identity I believe that Canada lacks a real national identity. Canadians tend to identify with community and region rather than the nation. Because Canada has
The Humor In Taming Of A Shrew
Essay, Research Paper The Taming of the Shrew – Humour In The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare creates humour through his characters by creating false realities (as demonstrated by Petruchio?s behaviour and attire in the scene of his wedding) and by the use of subterfuge and mistaken identity (shown in the final scenes with the transformation of Kate and Bianca?s respective personas).
The Taming Of The Shrew Essay Research 2
The Taming Of The Shrew- Essay, Research Paper The Taming of the Shrew- In Shakespeare’s comedy, “The Taming of the Shrew,” one of the main ways that the theme is shown is by mistaken identity. The main
The Soul Essay Research Paper Out of
The Soul Essay, Research Paper Out of all the philosophers we have examined in this unit, Ren? Descartes (On Thinking and the Soul) presents the best argument about what a soul and body are. In contrast, I believe that Locke?s interpretation of the body, mind, soul and self was my least favorite interpretation.
Color Of Water Essay Research Paper One
Color Of Water Essay, Research Paper One aspect of identity where feedback can be given almost instantaneously is race, as it involves a person’s skin color. Young children often ignore each others’ races unless they
Identity Crisis Essay Research Paper Identity Crisis
Identity Crisis Essay, Research Paper Identity Crisis: The Teenage midlife crisis By Erica C. Bowman There are many issues that face today?s teenagers. Probably one of the most common is the issue of individualism or identity. The teenage years harbor some of the most confusing and impressionable years in the life of any human being.
Illusion In M Butterfly Essay Research Paper
Illusion in M. Butterfly In David Henry Hwang’s play M. Butterfly we are introduced to Rene Gallimard who has unknowingly been sexually involved with another man for twenty years. The idea of mistaken gender within the play causes the reader to question how could one mistake his/her lover’s gender for so long? In Rene Gallimard’s search for self-identity he ignorantly chooses illusion over reality.
Eptrona Few Words On Breasts Essay Research
Paper Cynthia Green English 1301 17 September 2000 Eptron/A few words on breasts 1.Eptron successfully makes the issue of small breasts a matter of identity and appearance in many ways. When she was little, all that she wanted was breasts. She thought that having breasts was apart of being a girl, and with out them, she could be mistaken for a boy.