To comb your noodle with a three-legged stool And paint your face and use you like a fool. Act I, Scene I A main characteristic of Katharina is that she is easily upset, becoming verbally andphysically violent. She even goes so far as to hit her newly appointed music teacher, Hortensio (Act I, Scene I). Not long after, she hits the only suitor that would woo her, Petruchio. Katherina is convinced that her father does not care for her, especially because he wanted Petruchio to marry her. Perhaps Katherinas belief is true (Cahn 43). Baptista would rather talk to Bianca because of her pleasant personality rather then arguing every point with Katherina. Katharina wants the attention that Bianca receives, but she tries to call the attention in the wrong ways by acting out physically and verbally. Petruchio has to break Katherina out of her shrew character by becoming a character himself. Petruchio came into Padua not knowing what would happen. When he found out about Katherina, he was eager to meet her for two reasons: to gain her wealth and for the challenge of taming her (Act I Scene II). Petruchios character is that of a gentleman. He opens doors for ladies and is kind and courteous to everyone. As the play goes on, Petruchio marries Katherina. He plans to tame her and unveil her beautiful inner self so he would have a lovely wife (Leonard 31). He begins to show her who is in command starting on their wedding day. Petruchio shows up late to the wedding and caused Katherina to become angry and scared of being stood up. After being married, Petruchio starts the taming process. He refuses to let her sleep and restricts food from her (Act IV, Scene III). Soon Katherina breaks down and starts to act obedient to Petruchio with her "mask" still being within her reach. Then he shows Katherina who...
