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  • Essay / The importance of induction in The Taming of the Shrew

    Perhaps the unknown purpose behind an induction, which even the most experienced readers have failed to explain, has finally been revealed. Christopher Sly, the main character in William Shakespeare's brief Introduction to The Taming of the Shrew, acts as a drunken tinker tricked by a mischievous nobleman into believing that he is actually a lord. These characters and their short introductory story manage to depict all the major themes of the entire play in just the first few pages. However, spotting these themes has proven difficult for many readers, who remain confused after reading this brief introduction and overlook the big picture it presents. Indeed, the induction in this play within the play serves an often overlooked yet important purpose in comedy: Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The first important topic addressed in the prelude is power, a concept that becomes a preoccupation of the play's characters. The nobleman's decision to entertain himself at Sly's expense by using the tinker's poor state alludes to the way power is used during the rest of the narrative. Some characters decide to take their authority to a higher level, to the point of abusing it. For example, Petruchio, a gentleman from Verona, beats a servant for accidentally spilling water and throws food at his servants because he finds fault with his dinner. However, others refuse their superiors' attempts to tame them. When Petruchio announces his intention to court Katherine Minola, the fiery and fiery daughter of Baptista Minola, a wealthy man from Padua, Katherine protests by being aggressive and telling him to "get out of here, you fool, and give orders to your servants.” , not me. (II. I. 248) Her “shrew” behavior illustrates the challenge of power relations presented in the literary work. In the plot, power appears as a form of control or domination that is either used, abused or subverted by each character, depending on their intentions. At the time Sly participates in noble work just with a change of clothes. , the crucial role of both physical and psychological disguise is introduced, and then continues throughout the play. When Katherine uses the facade of an obedient, loving wife to mask her moody true self, she manages to put on a cognitive appearance. Likewise, Tranio, Lucentio's servant, changes his identity when the young and wealthy student from Pisa orders him to "be me... – live in my house, teach the servants and do everything in my place as I would do it ". (I. i. 172-173) as part of Lucentio's plan to obtain Bianca Minola, Baptista's younger daughter. When Tranio follows his master's orders to impersonate him while pretending to court Bianca, he, much like Sly, undergoes an identity shift simply by altering his physical appearance. The servant finds himself obliged to take on the duties and tasks of the people of the upper class and to act like one of them. Certainly, Tranio rising to the powerful position of an aristocrat like Lucentio reflects Sly's adoption of the manners of a lord. All characters must act according to a role, even when it serves as a disguise. The type of comedy this piece relates to is called slapstick. Such comedy is simply part of the fun of the play and is appreciated for its sheer silliness. The reader may notice the category hallmarks early on, with Sly's exaggerated and hostile behavior due to alcohol intoxication. In the farce,,.