Why Petrunchio Didn't Love Katherine (The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare Analysis Essay)

Love can be complicated as it is not a one size fits all. One who has read the book “Taming of the shrew” by Williams Shakespeare, can see that relationship between Petruchio and Katherine is a bit mysterious. However, only one that has understood the theme of the play would see that Petruchio only married Katherine because of her status and money and love was never a desire. The three reasons why Petrunchio doesn't love Katherine are he views her as a symbol of fame and reputations, to teach her a lesson and for Katherine's wealth/dowry. 

Firstly, one can see in “Taming of the Shrew '' that Petruchio marrys Katherine as a symbol of fame and reputation. A quote from the text that would support this is when Petrunchio said "That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites ,That bate and beat and will not be obedient. She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat. Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not” ( Shakespeare 4.1. 130). This quote shows that Petrunchio is treating Katherine awful just so she could get scared of him and follow his commands. Now, one could see that this is no sign of love as love doesn't come from fear; it comes from caring about each other selflessly, so if Petruchio really loved Katherine: he wouldn't do that to her. As the play progressed we learned that Katherine was the most rude and disrespectful girl in the town, so it wasn't a coincidence that Petrunchio married her and instantly tried to “tame” her. One could see that Petrunchio didn't marry Katherine because he loved her, but he married her to show everyone that he had control and power over the most disrespectful woman in the town. Petrunchio wanted his popularity and name to be known as the “ as the man that tamed Katherine'', so this is the reason he married her not in love, but as a statue that could give him fame and honour. This shows that Petrunchio married Katherine, so he could use her as a symbol of fame and reputations.

Secondly, one can see in the play “Taming of the shrew” that Petruchio married Katherine to teach her a lesson. This could be seen by one through the play as Petrunchio started treating Katherine awful after marriage, but this actually only wasn't only to “tame her”, he had done this to teach her a lesson for all the pain Katherine has given to the men in the town and to her father Baptistsa. A quote that supports this from the text is when Petrunchio says 

Thirdly, One can see in the play “Taming of the shrew” Petrunchio only married Katherine for wealth/dory. A quote that supports this is when Hortensio, peace. Thou know’st not gold’s effect. Tell me her father’s name, and ’tis enough; For I will board her, though she chide as loud

As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack ( Shakespeare Act2.2.75). This quote shows that Petruchio doesn't care how mean or rude Katherine is as long as she is wealthy, so one could see that Petrunchio only married Katherine for her wealth as he thinks wealth is the most important thing and as of that he could look past her cons. This proves that Petrunchio only married Katherine for her wealth/dory not because he truly loved her. 

To sum up,one could see that Petruchio married Katherine not because he truly loved her. Only one that has understood the theme of the play would see that Petruchio only married Katherine because Petrunchio wanted to use her as a symbol of fame as Katherine was the most disrespectful and rudes woman in the town and nobody could change that by her, but if he did he would be known throughout the town. Petruchio wants to teach Katherine a lesson for troubling so many men including her father Baptista. Petrunchio married Katherine for her wealth and dowry as Katherine came from a wealthy family and Petruchio desired money over everything including love.