Temptress Archetype

This sample essay on Temptress Archetype provides important aspects of the issue and arguments for and against as well as the needed facts. Read on this essay’s introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Taming of the Shrew is a romantic comedy written by William Shakespeare in the 1500’s. It takes place in the city of Padua, presumably during the Italian Renaissance. The major conflict of the play is ‘taming’ a hot-headed woman named Katherine and to overcome the rule her father holds on his two daughters where the eldest marries first.

The script brings up a lot of attention in the feminist theory. But, Shakespeare’s play reflects on the archetypes of characters, situations, and symbols. These connections are made in the play to make the audience familiar with the text and provide a deeper understanding.

The first form of archetypal theory that will be expressed on is the character archetypes found throughout the story. Petruchio is a gentleman from Verona.

Very loud, eccentric, and frequently drunk, he has arrived in Padua looking for love. All he wishes for is a woman with an enormous dowry. The Jungian character archetype chose to describe Petruchio is the Hero. Petruchio is considered a Hero because of his ways to woo and tame the shrew, thus making Bianca available to marry. Before even meeting Kate, thinking she’s the perfect women to match his love, he sets his plans for her on how he’s going to tame. (II. i. 86-199) Pet. I pray you do; I will attend her here And woo her with some spirit when she comes.

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Say that she rail… Say that she frown, I’ll say she looks as clear As morning roses newly washed with dew… Then I’ll command her volubility, And say she uttereth piercing eloquenece. If she do bid me pack… As though she bid me stay by her a week; If she deny to wed, I’ll crave the day When I shall ask the banes, and when be married. Bianca is the younger daughter of Baptista and sister of Kate. At the beginning of the play, she proves herself to be the opposite of her sister, a soft-spoken, sweet, beautiful woman.

The Temptress Archetype

Bianca comes across as a women figure archetype, the Temptress. Bianca is proven to be a temptress after Lucentio says he found love at first site when meeting Bianca and needs Tranio’s help to woo her. (I. i. 151-161) Luc. O Tranio! Till I found it to be true I never thought it possible or likely. But see, while idly I stood looking on, I found the effect of love in idleness, And now… Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio, If I achieve not this young modest girl. Counsel me… Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt. From what has been said, the character archetypes are very broad examples.

The next area of archetypal theory found in the play is Situations. The Situations deal with what happens leading up to the Taming of the Shrew. As mentioned before, Petruchio was looking for love with a shrew and Hortensio suggested for him to woo Kate. (I. ii. 99-108) Hor. Her father is Baptista Minola, An affable and courteous gentleman; Her name is Katherina Minola, Renowned in Padua for her scolding tongue. Pet. I know her father, thought I know not her; And… I will not sleep, Hortensio, till I see her; And therefore let me be thus bold with you, To give you over at this first encounter Unless you will accompany me thither.

This is the Quest of the play because they have found the man to woo Kate the curst. “Gru. Katherine the curst! A title for a maid of all titles the worst. ” (I. ii. 131-132). The Task is wooing Baptista’s daughters. Lucentio’s task for him and his servant, Tranio, is where Lucentio disguises as a schoolmaster named Cambio, and Tranio dresses up in Lucentio’s clothes and is disguised as him. (I. i. 197-199) Tra. You will be a schoolmaster And undertake the teaching of the maid: That’s your device. (I. i. 205-210) Luc. Basta, content thee; for I have it full. We have not yet been seen in any house, Nor can we be distinguished by our faces

For man or master. Then it follows thus: Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead, Keep house and port and servants as I should The Initiation stage is found later in the play, when signs of Petruchio taming Kate arise. Kate is curst, quick-tempered, and prone to violence. “Kat. I’ faith, sir, you shall never need to fear; Iwis it is not halfway to her heart; but if it were, doubt not her care should be to comb your noddle with a three-legged stool and paint your face and use you like a fool. ” (I. i. 62-66). She regularly refuses to call, but when Petruchio tells her that her cap doesn’t suit her and to take it off, she quickly listens. Pet. Katherine, that cap of yours becomes you not: Off with that bauble, throw it underfoot. ” (V. ii. 141-142). In summary, Taming of the Shrew plotted out to be very relevant to the situations in the archetypal theory. Moreover from the characters and situations of the tale, symbols of archetypal theory and even taming of the curst appeared. En route to Baptista’s house, Kate and Petruchio start arguing over what light is shining on them. Petruchio says it is the moonlight shining on them, but Kate instantly disagrees believing it is the sun.

Petruchio started to get fed up with Kate and states they’ll leave if she continues this behaviour. Kate then agrees with Petruchio saying it is the moonlight shining. (IV. v. 15-21) Kat. Forward, I pray, since we have come so far, And be it moon, or sun, or what you please. And if you please to call it a rush candle, Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me Pet. I say it is the moon. Kat. I know it is the moon. The moon symbol in archetypal theory reads as the mother principle. Thus meaning Shakespeare could be using this symbol to hint Kate will become a mother in the future.

In addition to this argument, the wedding day was another preposterous act carried by Petruchio. The act was his outfit he showed up late in. (III. ii. 95-107) Tra. /Luc. Not so well apparelled as I wish you were. Pet. Were it better I should rush in thus? But where is Kate? Where is my lovely bride? How does my father? Gentles, methinks you frown. And… Some comet, or unusual prodigy? Bap. Why, sir, you know this is your wedding day. First were we sad, fearing you would not come; Now sadder that you come so unprovided. Fie! Doff this habit, shame to your estate, An eyesore to our solemn festival.

The ridiculous costume Petruchio wears to the wedding symbolizes his control over Kate. He is able to simply humiliate her by wearing the costume. The outfit also symbolizes the transient nature of clothing. Petruchio alleges that Kate is marrying him, not his clothes, indicating that the man underneath the attire is not the same as the attire itself. In conclusion, Taming of the Shrew clearly indicates the archetypes of characters, situations, and symbols. This gives the audience more background information on the characters and storyline, and incorporate better knowledge to understand the play more in depth.