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A True Shrew? Katherine’s final speech in The Taming of the Shrew leaves the audience questioning the motives behind such a dramatic change of heart. In the final speech we see Katherine put her shrewish ways in the past and take on a new role of an obedient and honoring wife, or so it seems. What was the motive for her speech? The question remains at the end whether Katherine actually had a change of heart, whether she was actually a shrew to begin with or just hiding behind the persona, or if this final speech is just another bit of sarcasm from the shrew we met in the beginning of the play. My belief is that Katherine did become the obedient and caring wife and that the shrew she was, was the character she was hiding behind. I also believe that she was addressing her sister, father, and all those around to prove that deep down she wasn't the mean, hateful, disobedient person they all labeled her to be. She proved to the people that believed in her the least that someone can change, all it takes is someone to believe in you. Many of us find ourselves conforming to a role given to us by our parents, friends, and society. We become what people say we are. If someone tells you you’re worthless or you’re a failure, after awhile you begin to believe it. Society tells us we’re not rich enough, smart enough, skinny enough, or whatever it may be and categorizes us under such labels. Although none of that may be true, after awhile, if you begin to believe what you’re told it becomes a part of who you are.
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