An approach to characterisation: the case of Katherina in Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’.

Culpeper, Jonathan (2000) An approach to characterisation: the case of Katherina in Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. Language and Literature, 9 (4). pp. 291-316. ISSN 0963-9470

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Abstract

In this article, I argue that literary characterization can be fruitfully approached by drawing upon theories developed within social cognition to explain the perception of real-life people. I demonstrate how this approach can explain the construction of Katherina, the protagonist in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Specifically, I introduce notions from cognitive theories of knowledge (especially schema theory), and impression formation. Using these, I describe (1) the role of prior knowledge in forming an impression of a character, and (2) how various types of impression are formed. Prior to my analysis of Katherina, I outline the kind of shrew schema the Elizabethans might have had knowledge of. Then, in my analysis I argue that the textual evidence in the first part of the play is largely consistent with this schema, and thus Katherina at this stage is largely a schema-based character. However, I show that as the play progresses a number of changes create the conditions for a more complex and personalized character. As a consequence of this analysis, I claim that Katherina is not, as some critics have argued, simply a shrew, or an inconsistent character, or a typical character of a farce.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Language and Literature
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/p1
Subjects:
?? CHARACTERIZATIONGENDERIMPRESSION FORMATIONSCHEMA THEORYSHAKESPEARESOCIAL COGNITIONSTEREOTYPESTHE TAMING OF THE SHREWLINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGELANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICSLITERATURE AND LITERARY THEORYP PHILOLOGY. LINGUISTICS ??
ID Code:
1047
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
29 Jan 2008 15:29
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
21 Sep 2023 00:26