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Relationships in “The Taming of the Shrew” In the Shakespeare play, The Taming of the Shrew, many courtships and marriages take place, however, only one of these relationships would stand the test of time. Petruchio and Kate have the only relationship in this play which lasts, even though it starts out the worst. The marriages between Hortensio and the widow, and Lucentio and Bianca would not work in reality due to many factors. These relationships …

…to see past these frivolous aspects because they didn’t care what others thought of them. Lucentio and Bianca were the exact opposite, living almost purely for others. Hortensio and “the widow” were also living to fulfill the standard of the time, not for their own benefit. Thus, none of the relationships in The Taming of the Shrew have chances at succeeding with the exception of Petruchio and Kate, whose easygoing nature could save them.