10 Things I Hate About You: A Modern Twist on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew

The vast collection of works by William Shakespeare has been the basis for numerous adaptations, ranging from films that closely follow his stories to those with more subtle connections. There’s no shortage of options to explore. One such adaptation is the 16th-century comedy “The Taming of the Shrew,” which was creatively reimagined in the popular 1999 teen movie . While the fundamental storyline remains the same, these two narratives show some significant differences.

10 Things I Hate About You and its source material, The Taming of the Shrew, both focus on two sisters and their romantic entanglements. In contrast to each other, the eldest sister is characterized as challenging or hard to get along with, while the youngest is extremely attractive. As a modern adaptation of the classic play, there are many differences from Shakespeare’s original plot, offering insights into the unique aspects of each era by comparing and contrasting their interpretations.

The Taming of the Shrew Has a Misogynistic Story

Modern Audiences Criticize the Presentation of the Narrative

It can be argued that William Shakespeare holds an unparalleled impact on the English language, as his literary contributions encompass some of the most enduring tales ever penned – from heart-wrenching tragedies to the witty satire found in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Each of Shakespeare’s plays has been scrutinized and critiqued for centuries, and The Taming of the Shrew is no exception. What sets this play apart, however, is the ongoing discourse among scholars regarding its straightforward narrative. During the 16th century, English women held limited power, even during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign.

In Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the title character, often seen as emblematic of strong-willed women, is tamed by her future husband. However, modern scholars criticize this portrayal as problematic and advocate for equal rights in relationships. It’s important to note that during the medieval period, England had laws penalizing women labeled as “shrews,” or troublemakers, which were used to suppress strong-willed women. Therefore, a play where a shrewish woman is subdued was not out of place for the time it was written.

In modern times, it can be quite challenging and even distressing for audiences to engage with The Taming of the Shrew, as it has been frequently criticized for its misogynistic themes. The title itself suggests a problematic viewpoint, and the play’s content does not disappoint in this regard. It perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes, often portraying women and those who present as feminine in oppressive roles.

The narrative revolves around Petruchio, a man determined to win over Katherina (or Kate), a woman who initially resists his advances due to her assertiveness. This leads to her being labeled a shrew and considered difficult. However, the play’s resolution sees Petruchio “taming” Katherina into becoming an ideal wife, a process that involves both physical and psychological abuse. By the end of the story, she is coerced into compliance and deemed suitable for marriage. This troubling depiction raises important questions about consent, power dynamics, and gender roles in the play.

The Taming of the Shrew Can Be Interpreted in Many Ways

Later Adaptations Play Around With the Story’s Themes

Some scholars who specialize in Shakespeare’s work suggest a different perspective on “The Taming of the Shrew,” arguing that it may not be as misogynistic as it initially seems. These scholars propose that the play could also be interpreted as a warning tale, a satire highlighting how men respond to women with strong personalities. Essentially, they argue that the act of taming in the play doesn’t necessarily portray female arrogance but rather showcases harmful masculinity. In other words, Shakespeare might be subtly suggesting through layers of meaning that it is the toxic masculine behavior that needs to change, not forcing women to conform to submissive roles.

Different interpretations of texts can lead to vastly different outcomes, with some productions displaying misogynistic undertones like Franco Zefferelli’s debated 1967 film, which portrayed a real-life quarreling couple. This particular production capitalizes on the intense (and frequently harmful) relationship between its leads. It depicts Petruchio as a ruthless tormentor, physical abuser, and borderline sexual predator, disregarding any subtle nuances in favor of the play’s most pronounced patriarchal themes.

In contrast to other adaptations, this 1980 BBC production bypasses the abusive aspects and instead emphasizes a more romantic interpretation of the characters. John Cleese portrays Petruchio, while Sarah Badel plays Kate. Instead of depicting Petruchio as a domineering figure trying to break Kate’s spirit, his actions are shown as efforts to help Kate recognize how others view her. Through this process, she finds in him an ally who appreciates her struggles and desires her happiness, ultimately forming the foundation of their relationship. Although the film isn’t free from critique due to persistent patriarchal norms, the creators strive to address misogyny while preserving the play’s core themes.

As a film enthusiast, I believe one effective approach to soften the potentially problematic aspects of “The Taming of the Shrew” is by reimagining it from a contemporary perspective. For instance, some modern productions might flip the gender roles; making the ‘shrew’ a man and his partner a sharp-witted woman who brings him back down to earth. Alternatively, adaptations could keep the basic plot and characters but revamp the content significantly. The classic example of this is Cole Porter’s play “Kiss Me Kate,” which was made into a movie in 1953. It centers around a divorced couple acting in a production of “The Taming of the Shrew” and rediscovering their love in the process. Although it still contains problematic elements, it portrays their central romance as more balanced and equal. Similarly, “10 Things I Hate About You” cleverly uses its loose adaptation status to tackle some of the play’s grimmer themes.

10 Things Is Less Complex Than Taming of the Shrew

This Film Is Also Less Controversial Than Its Source Material

10 Things I Hate About You (1999 film) deviates from the misogynistic aspects of its source material to some extent, but it still contains elements of toxic masculinity in its portrayal of romance. Despite this, the movie can be seen as more women-centric and is infused with a (slightly) feminist perspective when compared to the original play. The storyline revolves around a competition among boys to “tame the shrew” and win their desired female partner, which is inherently sexist. However, it’s important to note that this adaptation offers a more inclusive portrayal of women compared to the original work.

The narrative opens with Kat, portrayed by Julia Stiles, taking center stage. Instead of being labeled “shrewish,” she is depicted as fiercely independent. Her disposition arises not from personal flaws but rather a strong disdain for the superficial societal expectations of her high school. In the end, her desires triumph when her father agrees to allow her to attend Sarah Lawrence College upon graduation instead of the University of Washington, which she would have attended if she stayed home. It is implied that her boyfriend, played by (character’s name), follows suit, yielding to her life choices rather than compelling her to adhere to his own.

It’s also important to mention that Patrick and Bianca’s boyfriend, Cameron (portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), are not part of their high school’s main group, setting them apart from the community that Kat despises so much. They treat the two sisters as friends rather than superior figures. However, despite the story’s framework, there remains an underlying sexism in portraying the two female characters as prizes to be won. Similar to many adaptations of the play, 10 Things I Hate About You attempts to rectify this issue.

The Shrew’s Little Sister and Her Suitors

Bianca’s Story Undergoes Only Minor Changes

In both tales, though the alteration might not greatly impact the overall narrative, it’s still an observable variation. In the side story of “The Taming of the Shrew,” various gentlemen admire Bianca, Kat’s sister. Three among them – Lucentio, Hortensio, and Gremio – regard her as the perfect female match. The subplot then unfolds around these three suitors vying for Bianca’s affections. Since they all find her ideal as a docile woman, their competition for her affection involves less manipulation and mistreatment.

In the film “10 Things I Hate About You,” though there are some differences from its original portrayal in Shakespeare’s play, certain themes persist. Bianca is less headstrong compared to her sister Kat, but she still has only two admirers. These suitors exhibit similar chauvinistic and harmful behaviors as their counterparts in the play, often serving as comic relief. This humor helps diminish their misogyny by highlighting its absurdity. Moreover, the patriarchal rule that necessitated Kate’s marriage before Bianca could be courted is satirized in the movie through the father’s character, making light of this archaic restriction.

The Play Features a Framing Device That 10 Things Lacks

The Taming of the Shrew Is a Play Within a Play

In simpler terms, the classic play “The Taming of the Shrew” starts with a story-telling device called an induction. This device presents the main story as if it’s a tale being told within another story. The induction introduces us to a character named Christopher Sly, who is drunk and easily deceived. A cunning nobleman exploits this by tricking Sly into believing he himself is a nobleman.

In a different rendition, they arrange for a play depicting Katherina and Petruchio’s tale to be staged for them. This play within a play is typically omitted in the movie, mirroring the approach taken by the BBC version and others. Rather than setting aside a lengthy expository scene, 10 Things I Hate About You begins with the film’s portrayal of its shrew character on her way to school, providing an opportunity for the audience to become acquainted with all the principal characters in a series of introductions.

10 Things Features Slightly Different Character Names

The Film Still References the Play in Its Naming Conventions

Just like how each suitor in a classic romantic tale has their unique identity, so do the characters in both “The Taming of the Shrew” and “10 Things I Hate About You.” While they share similar roles, their names are not interchangeable. This discrepancy is likely due to the vast difference in era and location. In Shakespeare’s play, set in Italy, the characters bear fittingly Italian names. However, in “10 Things I Hate About You,” the setting is modernized, causing a change in the characters’ names. For instance, Katherina becomes Kat, while Petruchio transforms into Patrick.

In my humble opinion as a movie reviewer, Bianca’s name remains consistent across both the movie and other media, which is quite intriguing. Interestingly, Kat and Patrick’s last names, Stratford and Verona, subtly echo Shakespearean roots – Stratford-upon-Avon being the playwright’s hometown, while Verona graces the pages of his plays, notably in “Romeo and Juliet.” The characters surrounding Bianca, however, have names entirely different from their counterparts in the play. For example, her love interests are named Cameron and Joey instead of Lucentio, Hortensio, or Gremio. An intriguing cross-reference lies within the setting of the play, Padua, which mirrors the name of the high school in the movie.

Audiences Wholeheartedly Embraced 10 Things I Hate About You

The Film’s Journey Coincidentally Parallels Shakespeare’s Own

10 Things I Hate About You, released back then, was appreciated by viewers, despite the fact that its primary audience doesn’t typically overlap with those who enjoy Shakespeare’s plays. The movie excelled in its execution, effortlessly combining elements from Shakespeare’s style with contemporary updates. Although it gained significant popularity immediately after its release, its fame really skyrocketed in the years to come, earning recognition as one of the best teen rom-coms ever made and maintaining that status up until today.

By an unexpected turn of events, the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” shares more similarities with its original source than just the narrative. While Shakespeare gained some recognition during his lifetime as a playwright, it falls significantly short of the global admiration he is held in today. Similarly, while Shakespeare’s works were appreciated when they first premiered, they are not nearly as extensively studied and celebrated as they are now. In recent years, marked by a scarcity of teen romantic comedies, audiences have been flocking back to “10 Things I Hate About You” as the epitome of the genre. This renewed interest has led to discussions about why it succeeded and what lessons the film industry can learn from it for future productions.

Why Teen Movies Are Perfect for Adapting Shakespeare Comedies

Plays Like Love’s Labors Lost Would Work Well in a High School Setting

Shakespeare’s works are usually divided into three main groups: comedies, tragedies, and histories, although sometimes the specific classification can be debated. Filmmakers have recognized that Shakespeare’s comedies are particularly well-suited for cinematic adaptations. Apart from “10 Things I Hate About You,” another successful example of this is the 2006 film “She’s the Man,” which is a modern take on “Twelfth Night.” The reason these adaptations work so effectively is that Shakespeare helped establish many storytelling techniques, especially those used in comedy, which remain popular today.

As a movie enthusiast who adores the Bard, it strikes me that while his characters are often portrayed by seasoned actors, the zany antics and youthful exuberance in his comedies wouldn’t feel out of place in a high school setting. In fact, many aspects of these plays align remarkably well with the tropes commonly found in teen media. Movies like 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s the Man have brilliantly tapped into this overlap, and I believe more Shakespeare comedies could thrive under similar adaptations.

A play like “Love’s Labors Lost,” where a king and his men vow to abstain from women to focus on learning, could make an excellent high school comedy if given a modern twist. Although Kenneth Branagh tried to bring this story to the big screen in 2000, the movie wasn’t successful and is not often talked about now. Instead of taking a serious approach, a contemporary version of “Love’s Labors Lost” could benefit from embracing its comedic potential and drawing inspiration from popular teen movies. The success of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” as a romantic comedy serves as proof that his works can adapt well to this genre, and hopefully, this trend will continue with future adaptations.

10 Things I Hate About You is currently streaming on Disney+.

2025-04-24 04:23