Petruchio’s Wedding Costume
The ridiculous outfit Petruchio
wears to his wedding with Kate symbolizes his control over her. Simply by
wearing the costume, he is able to humiliate her. It may be shameful for Kate
to be matched to someone in such attire, but she knows she has no choice if she
does not wish to become an old maid. She consents to let the ceremony proceed,
even with Petruchio dressed like a clown, and thus yields to his authority
before the wedding even begins.
The outfit also symbolizes the transient
nature of clothing. Petruchio declares that Kate is marrying him, not his
clothes, indicating that the man beneath the attire is not the same as the
attire itself. Thus, Lucentio, dressed as a tutor, cannot escape the fact that
he must return to his true identity. By the same token, when Kate plays the
role of a dutiful wife, she remains, essentially, Kate.
The Haberdasher’s Cap and Tailor’s Gown
The cap and gown that Petruchio
denies Katherine, despite the fact that she finds them truly appealing,
symbolizes yet again his power over her. The outfit functions as a kind of bait
used to help convince Kate to recognize and comply with Petruchio’s wishes.
Only he has the power to satisfy her needs and desires, and this lesson
encourages her to satisfy him in return.
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