Essential #8

Are Katherine and Petruchio in love?

Considering the many interpretations of love, one can be certain that “love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” (1 Corinthians 13:4). When it comes to the case of Katherine and Petruchio, their relationship does not fall into this understanding. The relationship is unbalanced. Petruchio is certainly not patient with Kate but acts as a dictator if Katherine were to go against his word: “She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat. Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not” (4.1.197-8). He takes a dominant role in the relationship because of monetary motives, which is further depicted when he bets on Katherine's loyalty. Katherine, on the other hand, has become extremely docile and obedient. Her patience is seen in her submissive responses to Petruchio: “What you will have it named, even that it is, and so shall be so for Katherine” (4.5.24-5). The reason for Katherine’s prior malicious and spiteful behavior is not clear; however, she may have put up defenses not to keep others down, but to see who was willing to fight through the barriers, and that is what Petruchio did. For that reason, Katherine is in love with Petruchio, but Petruchio is in love with money.