Visual Essay- Justin Stewart

“Comparing The Taming of the shrew” to “About Last night”

The Taming of the shrew is a play written by William Shakespeare. The play is about a Man named Baptista who wants his two daughters Katherine and Bianca to be married. Petruchio is one of the Male protagonist that is looking for a  wealthy woman. Petruchio and his friend Hortensio talk about marrying Petruchio potentially marrying Katherine. About Last night is a romantic comedy film made in 2014. It follows two Characters named Bernie Litko and Danny Martin. The two fall in love with two different women. Bernie is already in a relationship with a women named Joan and Danny falls in love with Joan’s friend Debbie in a bar. But before the two women arrive to the bar, Danny and Bernie begin to talk about women. In both the movie and the play, men talk about women when the women are not around. This reflects the ongoing expectation from audiences that men use women for their own needs.

“For I will board her, though she chide as loud

As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.”

(Act 2, Scene i, 96-97)

This quote was said by Petruchio when he was talking to Hortensio again about Katherine. Petruchio begins to tell Hortensio about his plan on how he will approach Katherine.

In this screenshot, Bernie and Danny are at work and they are talking about how Danny can ask Debbie out on a date. Bernie’s idea was that he should take her back to Danny’s place to chill. But Danny thinks of a better plan and tells Bernie that he will take her out to a restaurant. This scene relates to when Petruchio explains his plan as to Hortensio as to how he will approach Katherine.

"Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee  And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? Thou'dst thank me but a little for my counsel, And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich, And very rich; but th'art too much my friend, And I'll not wish thee to her."

(Act I, Scene ii, 60-65)

This quote was said by Hortensio to Petruchio when the two men were having a conversation about Katherine. Hortensio tells Petruchio that he knows a rich woman named Katherine. But he was joking about introducing Petruchio to Katherine but Petruchio was interested in meeting Katherine after he heard Hortensio say that she was rich. This moment shows that Petruchio only wants to be with Katherine because of her wealth. Analyzing This quote, It shows the reader that men construct a plan before they actually talk to the women. This is an example of how men talk about approaching women in today’s society.

In this Screenshot, The audience can see that this scene takes place in a bar. Bernie and Danny talk about women before Joan and Debbie arrive to the bar. They talk about women in a sexual way and not their personality. Bernie is sitting next to his girlfriend Joan. His friend Danny is sitting across the table next to Joan’s friend Debbie. Joan begins to introduce Debbie to both Bernie and Danny. Then Bernie introduces Danny to Debbie by saying “This is Danny Martin.” This relates to Hortensio introducing Petruchio to Katherine.

"I know her father, though I know not her; And he knew my deceased father well. 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."

(Act I, Scene ii 102-7)

This quote was said by Petruchio to Hortensio during their conversation about Katherine. Petruchio is saying that he heard of Baptista but he hasn’t heard of Katherine. Then he says that he desperately wants to see her but not because he wants her for her personality but for her money. When reading this quote, The reader can tell that Petruchio is only interested in marrying Katherine for his own benefits.

In this Screenshot, Bernie and Danny are having another conversation about women. But this time they are both in a relationship. Danny and Debbie’s relationship appears to be fine but Bernie’s relationship is falling apart. Bernie says he’s only dating Joan for his own sexual needs. This relates to why Petruchio wants to marry Katherine. Petruchio only wanted to marry Katherine for his own financial benefits.

The Taming of the Shrew and About Last night have many similarities even though they are from two different time eras. The male ideas on dating in The Taming of the Shrew are the same ideas in modern society. Men talk about women when they aren’t around and this happens in both The Taming of the Shrew and About Last night.