I did spend some time reading commentary for Taming of the Shrew. Harold Bloom has wonderful collections of literary criticism over the centuries. I am working through the 20th century at this point. To me, the most surprising pieces were the two men written in the early 17th centuries, practically contemporaries of Shakespeare. The men referred to Petruchio’s horrible treatment of Katherine in the “enhanced taming” techniques. Even at the time of Shakespeare, men found the scenes uncomfortable.
I recently began to wonder if Shakespeare wants us to be uncomfortable in these scenes; perhaps I am right.
