dependence, and is finally taught the lesson of surrender and compliance to her husband. Shakespeare first stacks the deck against Kate. Certainly, if Shakespeare had wanted to create a sympathetic woman who was both endearing and independent, both defiant and respectful of men, he could have done so. But as a Renaissance man himself, Shakespeare apparently approved of the superior position of his gender and the inferior role of women, at least insofar as this play is an indicator.
He portrays Kate as an obnoxious creature worthy of no sympathy from the audience. From the beginning we see Kate in her one-woman war with men, who, in turn, have nothing but scorn and contempt for her.
Her father Baptista calls on the men to "court" her, but one refers to a form of punishment for women who defied community standards of behavior, saying he might "cart her" (35). The insults fly back and forth between Kate and the men, and she clearly can give a
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