Katherine was a Shrew and no man was willing to take her on until the confident, cunning gentleman, Petruchio set his sights on her money. William Shakespeare brings The Taming of the Shrew story to life with humor, drama and through characters that are as complex as they are simple. The character of Petruchio grows throughout the play. He discovers true feelings that he was initially pretending to possess towards Katherine. Petruchio begin to appreciate Katherine's fiery spirit and in spite of himself and his trickery, he eventually wants her for his wife and not for her money, but for who she is. .
.
As the play begins to unfold, Petruchio and his fellow suitors discuss the possibility of taking on a wife for her money. They know of two sisters. (Bianca, who is cute and lovable and Katherine who is know to be ill-spirited and difficult.) Petruchio is the only one who feels confident that he would be able to tame Katherine into a meek and manageable wife and thus get her money. He is cunning, crafty and admired by his peers who feel that if anyone can do this, Petruchio can. Petruchio states, .
I know she is an irksome, brawling scold.
If that be all, Masters, I hear no harm. .
Petruchio exclaims his confidence in spite of what he has heard about Katherine. He is basically saying, bring on the challenge! Petruchio meets with Katherine's father and even though he hears more about her bad temperament, he continues to want her money and asks Katherine's father if he could court her. Petruchio states,.
then tell me, if I get your daughter's love, .
What dowry shall I have with her to wife? .
Petruchio carefully plans his courtship with Katherine. Patricio says, .
I will woo her with some spirit when she comes. If she rails at me, why then I will tell her she sings as sweetly as a nightingale; and if she frowns, I will say she looks as clear as roses newly washed with dew. If she will not speak a word I will praise the eloquence of her language; and if she bids me leave her, I will give her thanks as if she bid me stay with her a week.
