Taming Your Silver Lining

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare is based on the conception of love. Bianca shares connection with one suitor Lucentio which eventually turns out as a romantic relationship. In comparison, her sister Katharine doesn’t want to share a romantic relationship with Petruchio which results in conflict. Petruchio abuses Katherine’s pride by treating her in an inhumane way. By the end of the book, Bianca and Lucentio have an honest relationship. Katherine obeys Petruchio despite his rude action towards her.

Silver Linings Playbook is about two main characters named Pat and Tiffany. Pat recently came home from a Psychiatric facility. He hopes to win back his ex-wife, Nikki. Along the way, he meets Tiffany who is the sister of a friend of his. IN order to get closer to Nikki, Pat asks Tiffany to give Nikki a letter he wrote but in exchange, Tiffany wants Pat to dance with her at a dance competition in order to win his love.

“The Taming of the Shrew” and “Silver Linings Playbook” relatively share a controversial topic about honesty and deception. Petruchio takes advantage of Katherine by imposing her into a relationship that only he could benefit from. Petruchio doesn’t confront her about his arrangement to win her love but instead abusing the little power she has in their relationship. On the contrary, Tiffany, who is similar to Petruchio in this sense, was dishonest to Pat in order to benefit from him. Their deception brought out their true colors which lead them to a romantic relationship. Both the play and the movie reflect the belief that Honesty and loyalty do not factor into a romantic relationship when one or more is egocentric of what they want or want in return.

Signior Hortensio, ‘twixt such friends as we Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know} One rich enough to be Petruchio’s wife— As wealth is burden of my wooing dance— Be she as foul as was Florentius’ love, As old as Sibyl, and as curst and shrewd As Socrates’ Xanthippe or a worse, She moves me not—or not removes at least Affection’s edge in me, were she as rough As are the swelling Adriatic seas. I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; If wealthily, then happily in Padua. - Petruchio Act 1 Scene 2 Line 66-77

The audience gets a glance at Petruchio’s perception as he admits to Hortensio about his scheme to win over Katherine. He discusses that he wants to marry her for money and sets aside romance in their relationship. Her character traits, the things that define who she is, is not significant to Petruchio. He knows of Katherine’s demeanor, but most meaningful her financial status, which he is anticipating. Katherine is not aware of his plan which doesn’t allow her to speak on what she wants or needs. This plan abuses Katherine’s power and pride, as is shown to the reader as a one person relationship.

Correspondingly, This quotes briefly explains Tiffany’s gateway to get Pat to see she really likes him which in comparison is similar to Petruchio wooing Katherine. This quote approaches Tiffany’s selfishness. Tiffany emotionally tells Pat about how she is involved with other people’s issues and how she supports them but expects something in return. She continuously aids other people’s needs and not receiving the same support back which teaches her a lesson about being all for herself. A little later she gives the suggestion to Pat to participate in a dance competition for her. The audience then comes to a realization that the lessons for the competitions bring them closer together which is what she wants. Tiffany knowing that Pat wants to get closer to Nikki and that he will do anything in his power, Tiffany being one of the factors of doing so.

-“The only way you can beat my crazy was by doing something crazy yourself. Thank you. I love you. I knew it the minute I met you. I’m sorry it took so long for me to catch up. I just got stuck.” - Pat

Pat’s determination lead him to understand that with Tiffany’s help, he fell in love with her. Pat is dependent and doesn’t let his egocentricity affect his sensuality. This quote in contrast to Petruchio realistic views of a romantic relationship shows how the influence of someone can develop feelings for others. In this moment Pat gives Tiffany a letter saying about how she lied to him, which let him see how much she cares for him. He is thankful that her guidance helped with one of his bigger issues, depression. Him being “stuck” was him trying to consider the bigger picture, which was Tiffany’s vain choices and truly having a romantic interest in somebody that he knew from a complicated relationship.

“Shrew” and “Silver Linings Playbook” authors want readers to understand the exposition of love and what it means in a relationship. Based on these representations, these characters attitude towards courtship dating does not involve their partner’s say or satisfactory. It also shows that the attitudes towards dating do not involve confrontation a partner’s true character. Society’s values the things they want for themselves. The behavior that interferes with the things that society priorities are feeling that people in courtship share.

Sources: http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Silver-Linings-Playbook.html https://giphy.com/explore/silver-lining-playbook http://nfs.sparknotes.com/