Charles's Visual Essay

The Purpose of Marriage

The play, “The Taming of the Shrew” displays marriage as a priority for the men that it  follows. As two suitors Petruchio and Lucentio beat out other suitors in order to marry Baptista’s daughters Bianca and Katherine. Even though they have differing reasons; Petruchio, in order to obtain the wealth Katherine has and for Lucentio, to obtain the one he loves. It depicts the role marriage has in the Elizabethan era. In “Crazy, Stupid, Love”, the main character Cal after learning that his wife (Emily) wants a divorce, meets a guy named Jacob who is bachelor. Jacob teached Cal how to pick up women in order to get over his wife. With that said, as the movie goes on he realizes that his wife is the only girl he wants and wounds up fighting to get his wife back. Jacob as the movie goes on met a woman named Hannah who he started instead of just having a mindless one night stand. The play and movie both has to do with marriage/courtship but shows as time went on woman obtained more ownership in who they want to marry.

“Content you, gentleman. I will compound this strife. ‘Tis deeds must win the prize, and he of both That can assure my daughter greatest dower Shall have my Bianca’s love. Say, signior gremio, what can you assure her.”(Act 2, Scene 1, line numbers 365-)

In this scene Lord Baptista is talking to two potential suitors; Gremio and Tranio, for his daughter Bianca. Tranio is dressed as Lucentio, the man who actually wants to marry Bianca. Baptista wants to see what these men has to offer his daughter and him, promising Bianca’s hand in marriage to the richest man. This scene shows how marriage was arranged and the daughter has no choice in the matter. Marriage is seen as a business transaction by Baptista instead of a badge of love. In order to marry Bianca, Lucentio goes as far as becoming Bianca’s tutor to get closer to her and have tranio play as him. Showing that this marriage is really important to him and that he truly does like Bianca. In order to get her though he has to convince Baptista that the marriage will benefit him as well.

    In this scene Cal and Emily are about to go into a parent teacher conference for their child Robbie. Cal confesses that he hates himself for not fighting for her even after finding out Emily cheated in him. He states,” I should’ve fought for you. You fight for your soulmate. At least that's what our thirteen-year-old tells me.” This scene shows the emotion connection that Cal and Emily has. Unlike the Taming of the Shrew suitors, Cal is already married but the way he confesses to her can be compared. Cal married Emily because he loved her while Lucentio had to prove himself to the father before he was able to marry Bianca. The movie reflects that in the modern age women have way more control of choosing who they want to marry than what is reflected William Shakespeare’s play.
        

"Marry, so I mean, sweet Katherine, in they bed And

therefore, setting all this chat aside, Thus in plain term: your father hath consented That you shall be my wife."

(Act 2, Scene 1, line numbers)

    This part of the play has to do with Katherine and the suitor her dad has allowed to marry her, Petruchio. Petruchio is trying to train Katherine into becoming the perfect wife for him by complimenting her when she does something he likes and punishing her when she does something he deems wrong. Katherine does not want to marry Petruchio, but since Petruchio has Baptista’s blessing what she wants doesn’t really matter. Since Petruchio is very manipulative as well, he is able to talk his way out of situations that may have stop the marriage. This scene in the play reflects the way marriage was perceived in William Shakespeare’s era (1558-1603). Where marriage was seen as a business opportunity in which both families involved would benefit. It also shows that the father has majority of the say in who the daughter is going to marry.  

In this scene, the movie reached its climax as Cal plans of winning Emily back was interrupted by Jessica’s Dad and Jacob. He found out that Jacob is dating his daughter Hannah and Cal does not like that at all. Calling Jacob a womanizer, while Jessica’s Dad thought that Cal was having a relationship with his 17 year old daughter. Jessica babysat for Cal and Emily, she had a crush on Cal throughout the movie but nothing ever happened. This scene reflects how a women has way more power in who she chooses to be in a relationship/marry because Hannah was introducing Jacob to the family. Even though Cal does not want her dating Jacob, it is socially acceptable for Hannah to not listen to her father. Katherine does not have this luxury as she has to marry whoever her Dad sees fit. This shows that the modern era of marriage is about love and compatibility than just furthering a family’s power.

Overall, “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Crazy, Stupid, Love” even though they are fictional works, shows society views on marriage in the Elizabethan and modern era. From the play’s perspective, marriage was seen as a tool to gain more power and prestige. From the movie’s perspective, marriage is more complicated and has to do with the emotional connections between two people. Showing that the purpose of marriage has changed over the years and is always subject to change.

Work Cited:

Shakespeare, William, G. R. Hibbard, and Margaret Jane Kidnie. The taming of the shrew. UK: Penguin , 2015. Print.

Crazy, stupid, love. Dir. Glenn Ficarra. Perf. Steve Carell. Https://gomovies.to/film/crazy-stupid-love-4635/watching.html?ep=503677. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.