Cluelessly Tamed In The Name of Reputation

“Thus, in plain terms: your father hath consented

That you shall be my wife, your dowry agreed on,

And, will you, nill you, I will marry you.

Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 284-286

          On page 83 of Taming of The Shrew, Petruchio makes the point that his wealth is prominent and asks what he can be assured if he marries Katherine. He is promised half of her father’s land and twenty thousand crowns once he is deceased. Petruchio says that for Katherine’s hand in marriage, she will receive all his lands and leases if her death succeeds his. Material possession played a role in the ability to create a romantic connection with someone. Later on when talking to Katherine, Petruchio informs her that she is indicted to marry him, whether she likes it or not. Hundreds of years ago, there was less choice and more force relating romantic connections compared to just a few decades ago.  

          Cher fell for a preppy exchange student, Christian. He asked to go a party with her and she agreed. When Christian comes to pick up Cher at her house, he meets her father. The protective man asks “Do you drink?” and Christian responds by saying “No thanks.” Cher’s father became annoyed because he did not like his sarcasm relating to her daughter’s safety while in a vehicle. He answers by saying “What’s wrong with you, kid? You think the death of Sammy Davis left an opening in the Rat Pack?” Cher’s dad did not care about the boy’s wealth, but rather his daughter’s safety.

“Call you me daughter? Now I promise you

You have showed a tender fatherly regard,

to wish me to one half lunatic, A madcap rufflian and a swearing Jack,

that thinks it oaths to face the matter out.”

Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 302-306

Compared to Cher’s father’s cautiousness, Katherine’s father seemed quite careless about his daughter’s well-being. After being told that she must marry the crazed Petruchio, Katharina expresses her disdain for her father’s choice of a husband. She felt Baptista betrayed her simply for a promised dowry.

As Cher began to take a stronger liking to Christian, she became tamed to his ambiguous behavior. The night that he came to watch movies at her house, Cher offered to make him coffee still he was tired. He replied by saying “Can’t, I got the ulcer.” But Cher questioned this statement by reminding he had cappuccinos in her presence in the past. He said “Oh, well, you know, that was like, foam…” Even though it was an absurd rebuttal, she did not dispute it.

“Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,

And be it the moon, or sun, or what you please.”

Act 4, Scene 5, Lines 14-15

As a tactic to tame his shrew, Petruchio made an attempt to convince Katherine that it was night when it was indisputably day. They bickered back and forth until Katharina finally accepted his inaccurate plea. She disregarded her own sense in order to please her husband. Cher did the same when faced with an illogic statement from Christian.

“Taming of The Shrew” exemplified the necessity of conformity to social hierarchies in ancient times. Marriage continues to be an avowal of one’s devotion to another person. However, there is more freedom when deciding who with which one will a commitment. In "Clueless",Cher chose her suitor freely, even if her father did not approve. Katharina was required to have consent from her father before becoming married. Both women had material wealth play a part with whom they were dedicated. This, in turn, forced them to make emotional compromises. When a relationship is built on status or possession, romantic satisfaction may be jeopardized.

Clueless. Dir. Amy Heckerling. Perf. Alicia Silverstone. Paramount Pictures, 1995.

Shakespeare, William, and Thomas Goddard Bergin. The Taming of the Shrew. New Haven: Yale UP, 1954. Print.