Bianca

Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew is centered on the story of how Petruccio turns Kate into his ideal housewife but the other story that develops is that of Lucentio and Bianca. Kate’s story is much more interesting when compared to someone that is the polar opposite of her—Bianca. Bianca’s role in the play is that of a foil that serves as a point of reference, which can be used to compare how two women act.

Bianca’s character goes through a transformation from the beginning of the book to the end that shows her to be a dynamic. Although this transformation is hardly as obvious and drastic as Kate’s it is very important. In the opening act of the play Bianca appeals to Lucentio because she is quiet and obedient. Although she wishes to marry she does not complain at having to wait until her sister is first wed. When her father declares that he will not open Bianca to suitors until Kate has been paired she states, “Sir, I will humbly obey you.” However, this is not the Bianca that is seen after Lucentio marries her. When she is no longer under her father’s control she is unwilling to obey her husband. When Lucentio sends for her Bianca states that she cannot come because she is busy when, in reality, she is “chatting by the parlor fire” according to Kate who comes the instant she is called for. This serves as an example of her change from obedient daughter to an “improper” wife (or so considered by the audience of the time). This is a contradiction to Kate’s becoming submissive wife despite beginning as an aggressive and defiant woman.

Bianca’s character is not an aid to the main plot and does not further it but is part of contrasting plot that shows an alternative to how Kate changes through marriage. Bianca is a foil to Kate and represents what would be considered by Shakespeare’s audience as a character regression.