Themes and Motifs in The Taming of the Shrew


Each page is an annotated list of passages related to the theme or motif.

What Money Can Buy
It's a common saying that "money can't buy love," but in Shakespeare's time money was often the single most important consideration in the arranged marriages among gentlefolk.
Beatings
In Shakespeare's England boys who didn't learn their lessons were beaten, and servants were beaten to teach them their duty, but it was outrageous for a gentleman to strike his wife. All of this is reflected in Shakespeare's play.