Who is the shrew in The Taming of the Shrew and why?

Answer 1

The "shrew's" name is Katharina Minola. However, her sister Bianca and Petruchio refer to her as Kate. Hence, the famous line, "Kiss me Kate." Katherine is the oldest daughter of Baptista, Bianca's older sister, and later the wife of Petruchio. She is very ill tempered and very loud (shrew means nagging woman so it really fits Katherine's personality), and as a result nobody wants to court her or ask her hand in marriage until Petruchio comes. In the 1967 movie, Kate was Elizabeth Taylor's character.

Another Perspective

Although it seems as if Kate is the shrew, Bianca is the true shrew of the story. Kate is unloved, unwanted, and rejected by those around her which causes her to be bitter towards everyone. Bianca on the other hand is used to getting her way, pretends to be an angel, and is her father's favorite daughter. At the end of the book, both Bianca and Kate are summoned by their husbands - Kate obediently comes while Bianca refuses to answer his summon proving herself the true shrew of this Shakespearian play.