The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1594. The play, set in Padua, focuses on Petruchio, a gentleman of Verona, and Katherina, the unwed headstrong "shrew," and Petruchio's tormenting ("taming") her into submission. The play is controversial with modern audiences, due to the outdated gender concepts, but has been adapted multiple times (including the Cole Porter musical Kiss Me, Kate).
References[]
- During the Shakespearean "Veterinarian's Hospital" in The Muppet Show episode 213, Nurse Piggy says they should look at the time, prompting Dr. Bob to quip "The timing of the shrew."
- The play is spoofed on Sesame Street as the Monsterpiece Theater installment "The Taming of the Shoe." In this version by the famous podiatrist William Shoespeare, "Grovero" is accompanied by a talking shoe, whom he convinces to cooperate to take him to the Padua Mall.
- The second episode of Dog City is titled "Taming of the Screw."
- In the Elmo's World episode "Firefighters," the Firefighters Channel tells viewers to stay tuned for "The Flaming of the Shrew" starring Carol Burnett.
Connections[]
- John Cleese played Petruchio in the 1980 BBC TV version
- John Franklyn-Robbins played Baptista in the 1980 BBC TV version
- Louise Gold played Kate in a 1993 stage production in Southampton
- Michael Hordern played Baptista in the 1967 film version
- Elizabeth Taylor played Kate in the 1967 film version