Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 5, No. 0730. Tuesday, 13 September 1994.
 
(1)     From:   Elizabeth Y. Zeria <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Monday, 12 Sep 94 10:02:48 EDT
        Subj:   Re: Is Bianca a shrew?
 
(2)     From:   Bernice W. Kliman <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
        Date:   Monday, 12 Sep 1994 10:59 EDT
        Subj:   Bianca
 
 
(1)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Elizabeth Y. Zeria <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Monday, 12 Sep 94 10:02:48 EDT
Subject:        Re: Is Bianca a shrew?
 
A shrew in essence, yes.  It has seemed to me that Katherine's outward
shrewishness is really a defense mechanism (albeit a rather unsuccessful one -
and one which she improves upon by the end of the play) against Bianca's
cloaked, subversive, and far more heartfelt (in its true heartlessness)
shrewishness. Bianca's obvious manipulation of her father's love, in contrast
to Kate's ferocious honesty -- a counterpoint perhaps somewhat reminiscent of
Cordelia-Regan/Goneril -- seems to motivate and mold Kate's actions and
temperament.  Kate's shrewishness seems frustration and bitterness, the result
of desiring her father's love and attention, but of seeing herself successfully
alienated from both by her sister's maneuvers.
 
Just a brief foray into discussion...I now return to the safety of the lurkers'
lair...
 
Liz Zeria
English Dept. (MA program), VCU
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
(2)----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:           Bernice W. Kliman <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Monday, 12 Sep 1994 10:59 EDT
Subject:        Bianca
 
Is it worthwhile to remind B.G. that Bianca isn't ANYTHING until actors and
directors decide HOW she will be portrayed? Intonation, body language and all
the rest do count.  I am suggesting merely that the tired idea of Bianca as
shrew might be usefully rethought for an interesting production of the play.
 
Bernice W. Kliman

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