The Taming of the Shrew: The Hostile Divide in the Feminine Soul

In Shakespeare's play, Baptista Minola has two daughters. Bianca is soft-spoken, sweet, unassuming, and perfectly obedient to her father. Katherine is strong-willed, her words characteristically abusive and angry, her actions often violent. Daddy's sweet, agreeable daughter has a bitter, biting shadow sister. This article explores the rupture in the feminine soul symbolized by these sisters. Kate's rage is considered a reaction to cultural values that demand the repression of instinctual feminine expression. I reflect on my personal struggle to reconcile the warring feminine aspects of my psyche, represented by Kate and Bianca. I also describe my inner encounter with the harsh patriarchal attitude that fosters this painful division in my feminine soul.